90 per cent of Brexit backers want to retain the UK’s current Single Market access, according to a new poll November 16, 2016 A huge majority of voters want the UK to retain Single Market membership according to polling figures released today. Across both Leave and Remain supporters, there is widespread support for the UK staying in the Single Market, pollsters say. But there is a yawning divide between the two groups over immigration, with the Brexiteers – [...]
Arise Lord Farage? Theresa May just refused to rule out a peerage for Nigel November 16, 2016 Theresa May refused to rule out a gong for interim Ukip leader Nigel Farage in Westminster today. Quizzed on the possibility of Farage entering the House of Lords by Scottish National Party MP George Kerevan at Prime Minister's Questions, May said only that “such matters are never discussed in public”. While an appointment may seem unlikely, May's [...]
Prosecco vs Fish and Chips? An Italian minister says Boris Johnson’s Brexit talks are “insulting” November 16, 2016 An Italian minister has pleaded with the British government to “put its cards on the table” over Brexit, complaining that foreign minister Boris Johnson has reduced debate to “insulting” levels. Speaking to Bloomberg, Italy's economic development minister recalled that Johnson had told him Britain would be granted easy access to Single Market “because you don't [...]
Brexit planning is proving “a considerable challenge” for Whitehall, according to a former senior civil servant November 16, 2016 The government has yet to prepare a central plan for Brexit, according to the one of the most senior civil servants at the Foreign Office. Sir Simon Fraser, who served as permanent under-secretary until 2015, told MPs today that he understood drawing up Brexit plans was proving “a considerable challenge”. “The government has not yet [...]
Downing Street wants to spend £1 in every £3 on small businesses by 2020 November 15, 2016 Downing Street has recruited 24 bosses from across the UK to help boost public spending with the UK's small businesses. A new small firm panel will help drive the government's new target of 33 per cent of public spending going on businesses with fewer than 250 staff. Last year, small businesses took 27 per cent, [...]
Optimism on the future of the UK economy has plummeted among bosses according to a new survey November 15, 2016 Business leaders are pleading with the government to restore faith in the wider economy next week after a survey showed confidence amongst bosses plummeting through October. While optimism had been growing in the aftermath the summer referendum, new figures from the Institute of Directors show expectations fell dramatically last month. An IoD survey of over [...]
Bosses are demanding a radical shake-up of tax laws to prevent firms facing avoidance charges November 15, 2016 Some of the country's top bosses are demanding a radical shake-up of the UK's tax rules to prevent businesses from being hauled up on charges of avoidance. In a submission to the Treasury ahead of next week's Autumn Statement, the Institute of Directors is calling on the government to create a "white list" for authentic [...]
Brexit minister David Davis to hold monthly talks with Sadiq Khan as the UK quits the EU November 14, 2016 Brexit minister David Davis has agreed to hold monthly meetings with London mayor Sadiq Khan in a bid to make sure the capital's voice is heard as the UK moves to quit the EU. Although a final timetable has yet to be confirmed, Davis has agreed to begin the meetings with Khan ahead of Theresa [...]
Will Philip Hammond free up nearly £20bn to be ploughed into businesses with a dramatic VAT cut next week? November 14, 2016 Philip Hammond could free up nearly £20bn to be ploughed into UK businesses by cutting VAT next week, according to figures from commercial insurer NFU Mutual. Hammond will present his first Autumn Statement on 23 November, and research by the firm has found that two-thirds of consumers would increase spending if VAT was reduced. Read [...]
Sadiq Khan says failure to promote integration is hurting the UK economy November 14, 2016 London mayor Sadiq Khan has today called on European mayors and other city leaders to focus on uniting communities in the aftermath of Donald Trump's shock election win. Speaking at a conference at City Hall, Khan said failure to achieve better integration in the UK was costing the economy around £6bn. It comes after Khan [...]
