MPs and peers are calling for a new, regional visa system January 5, 2017 A cross-party group of 24 MPs and peers is demanding the government investigates a new, regionally-led immigration system for the UK. The panel of MPs, which is led by Labour’s Chuka Umunna, argues that regions and cities should gain control of their own visa rules. This would mimic a system already in place in Canada, [...]
Ex-migration chief recruited to crack down on workplace exploitation January 5, 2017 The former chair of one of an independent migration watchdog has been recruited to lead a government crackdown on exploitation of workers. Sir David Metcalf has sat on the Migration Advisory Committee since its creation in 2007, and will now serve as the first director of labour market enforcement. Metcalf, who was also a founding member [...]
The UK’s former ambassador to Russia has been appointed to replace Sir Ivan Rogers January 4, 2017 Theresa May has found a new ambassador to the EU less than 48 hours after Sir Ivan Rogers resigned from the role. The UK's former ambassador to Russia Sir Tim Barrow will take on the job following Rogers' departure. Barrow served as ambassador to Russia between 2011 and 2015, having previously also served as the UK's [...]
Hammond becomes latest minister to visit Gulf in UK’s Middle East charm offensive January 4, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has become the latest government minister to visit the Middle East as part of the UK's ongoing charm offensive aimed at Gulf states. Hammond will visit Kuwait, UAE and Qatar, following in the footsteps of a several senior figures in Prime Minister Theresa May's regime. May, herself, visited Bahrain in early December [...]
Former EU ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers “couldn’t be trusted” by ministers says Iain Duncan Smith January 4, 2017 Senior Conservative Iain Duncan Smith has branded Britain's former ambassador to the EU "untrustworthy", a day after his sensational resignation. Sir Ivan Rogers quit yesterday, writing an email to staff which accused the government of “muddled thinking” on Brexit. Speaking on the Today programme this morning, Duncan Smith linked that leaked email to previous reports of Rogers warning [...]
Trump adviser: Special relationship will be stronger after Brexit January 4, 2017 One of the leading candidates to serve as the US' new ambassador to the EU has claimed that ties between the Us and the UK will be boosted in the aftermath of Brexit. Dr Ted Malloch is meeting with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss the role this week, having supported the Republican throughout his election [...]
London firms demand goverment support to shore up business confidence in 2017 January 4, 2017 London businesses are demanding new government support to shore up confidence through an uncertain 2017. With Prime Minister Theresa May expected to trigger Article 50 before the end of March, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry argues firms have handled the initial shock of Brexit. However, following its latest Quarterly Economic Survey, it has [...]
Farage: Brexit indecision is putting the UK on the back foot January 3, 2017 Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has warned that a failure to rapidly move forward with Brexit will harm the UK, especially in the context of the collapse of Italian bank Monte Dei Paschi. Speaking this morning, Farage accused Prime Minister Theresa May of doing "nothing" on implementation since the summer vote. Read More: Monte dei Paschi shares [...]
Labour and the Conservatives can’t stop blaming each other for rising train fares January 3, 2017 London's Labour mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative politicians are blaming each other for the rising cost of rail travel this morning. Commuters returning to work this week are set to see their train fares rise by an average of 2.3 per cent. And both sides of the political spectrum have gone on the attack this [...]
L&G completes the sale of Cofunds’ investment platform to Aegon January 3, 2017 Life insurer Aegon has completed the acquisition of investment platform Cofunds from Legal and General. L&G and Aegon first announced a £140m deal in August last year, and have today confirmed completion of the transaction. It means Aegon becomes the UK's largest platform provider, with more than three million customers. L&G only bought the business in [...]
