London’s lord mayor is the latest to lead a trade mission to China February 13, 2017 The City of London's lord mayor, Andrew Parmley, will follow closely in the footsteps of government ministers by leading a trade delegation to China later this month. Foreign office minister Alok Sharma began a four-day trip leading a delegation of life sciences firms earlier this week as the government seeks to boost ties with China, and Parmley will [...]
The FCO is leading a delegation of British life sciences firms to China this week February 13, 2017 A Foreign Office minister is leading a delegation of British healthcare and life sciences firms to China this week in a bid to boost trade. Asia-Pacific minister Alok Sharma will be in South China from Monday to Wednesday, before visiting Beijing to meet with Chinese ministers. It comes just days after Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister [...]
Pressure mounts on House of Commons speaker John Bercow over Brexit remarks February 12, 2017 Pressure is increasing on House of Commons speaker John Bercow after a cabinet minister warned of "a strong reaction" to Bercow's public statement that he voted for the UK to stay in the EU, and government sources said Downing Street would not intervene to protect him. It emerged today that Bercow had discussed his Remain vote with Reading [...]
Toshiba is set to report a £3bn loss for nine months of 2016 later this week February 12, 2017 Toshiba, the troubled Japanese conglomerate looking to build a new nuclear reactor in Cumbria, is set to report a group net loss of approximately ¥ 400bn (£2.8bn) for the three quarters to December, the Nikkei reported. The loss is largely due to a goodwill impairment of around £4.2bn on a US nuclear unit that came to light in late [...]
Rebel peers are confident of amending Theresa May’s Article 50 Bill in the House of Lords February 12, 2017 Rebel peers are confident of amending the Article 50 Bill with protections for EU nationals once the legislation arrives in the House of Lords. The Bill, which grants Prime Minister Theresa May the power to trigger Brexit talks, was passed unamended by the House of Commons last week. But both the Lib Dems and Labour have [...]
Almost 50 Tory MPs are demanding a fast-track visa system for Commonwealth citizens February 12, 2017 Commonwealth countries could be offered a new “fast track” visa system in the aftermath of Brexit, under plans promoted by almost 50 Conservative MPs. In a letter to home secretary Amber Rudd, 45 Tory backbenchers have called for the UK to “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners”. The MPs, who include former [...]
The case for the Garden Bridge is “weaker than in 2014” says the Treasury February 9, 2017 A Treasury report has questioned the business case for London’s controversial Garden Bridge. Officials told MPs that “the overall case for the project is weaker today than it was in 2014”. In an analysis sent to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Treasury permanent secretary Tom Scholar said there are “significant uncertainties” about some of the benefits the [...]
A Tory MP has tabled a no confidence motion in John Bercow over his controversial Donald Trump intervention February 9, 2017 The role of House of Commons speaker John Bercow is under threat after a Conservative MP tabled a "no confidence" motion. James Duddridge has been a vocal critic of Bercow's Donald Trump intervention, in which the speaker vowed to fight any invitation for the US President to address MPs and peers in Parliament. Read More: Commons speaker John Bercow [...]
Jeremy Corbyn kicks off his latest reshuffle by promoting John McDonnell’s deputy February 9, 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is beginning to rebuild his front bench following some high-profile resignations, with Treasury number two Rebecca Long Bailey stepping up to cover the business sector. Long Bailey served as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, but will replace Clive Lewis as shadow business secretary. Always a high profile patch, the business remit has [...]
Optimism growing over “make or break” steel pensions vote ahead of next week’s result February 9, 2017 Optimism is increasing over a "make or break" vote for the future of British steel, with a result expected to be announced as soon as Wednesday. Members of GMB, Unite and Community are still being balloted over proposals that will see Tata Steel pump £1bn into the sprawling Port Talbot steelworks in exchange for workers accepting [...]
