Keir Starmer pushes Boris Johnson to rule out corporation tax rise February 24, 2021 Sir Keir Starmer has called for Boris Johnson to rule out a rise in corporation tax in next week’s Budget amid rumours Rishi Sunak could increase the rate to 25 per cent. Starmer said that “now is not the time for tax rises on families and businesses” at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) today. The Times [...]
Michael Gove to hold crunch Northern Ireland meeting with EU today February 24, 2021 Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will meet with his EU counterpart today in a crunch meeting to discuss post-Brexit problems at the Northern Ireland border. European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, who is the Brussels’ key representative to the UK-EU Joint Committee, said last week he wanted all issues with the Northern Ireland protocol of [...]
One-in-four UK exporters looking to cut out EU customers post-Brexit February 24, 2021 Almost one-in-four British exporters are planning on reducing their activity in the EU or eliminating it out entirely post-Brexit, according to a new survey. A survey from the British Chambers of Commerce/moneycorp showed that 44 per cent of exporters would grow their business in the EU, but that 23 per cent want to “either reduce their activity [...]
Female representation on FTSE boards climbs by 50 per cent, finds Hampton-Alexander Review February 23, 2021 The number of women on boards of the UK’s largest public companies has risen by 50 per cent since 2015, according to a landmark government report. The Hampton-Alexander Review, which was launched five years ago, found that women representation on FTSE 350 boards has risen from 21.9 per cent to 34.9 since 2015. The final [...]
UK agrees to EU extension of Brexit trade deal ratification February 23, 2021 The UK has agreed to a request by the EU to extend the date of its parliament’s ratification of the Brexit trade deal until 30 April. The trade deal was provisionally approved by the 27 EU ambassadors in December to ensure it came into place on 1 January when the UK left the single market [...]
UK-Japan trade deal settled post-Brexit nerves, says Honda February 23, 2021 The UK’s trade deal with Japan helped lead to a smoother Brexit transition for Honda this year and ensured greater confidence, according to one of the carmakers’ European bosses. Ian Howell, senior vice president at Honda Motor Europe, told MPs today that the trade deal “settled a lot of nerves” among Japanese companies. Honda’s manufacturing [...]
Boris Johnson plots domestic vaccine passports for pubs, theatres and football matches February 23, 2021 The Prime Minister has announced plans to explore introducing vaccine passports for entry to pubs, theatres and football matches, marking a major government U-turn after ministers previously ruled out the idea. Boris Johnson said he was confident all Covid restrictions will be lifted by 21 June, after outlining his roadmap for leaving lockdown last night. [...]
TfL to soon launch Hammersmith ferry service while famous bridge is closed February 23, 2021 A temporary ferry service will soon operate in west London to shuttle pedestrians and cyclists across the Thames alongside the closed Hammersmith Bridge. Transport for London (TfL) announced today that it had received bids from City Cruises and Uber Boats by Thames Clippers to run the shuttle service, after receiving government funding. The new ferry [...]
Post-Brexit regulatory changes for the City could free up £95bn, says study February 23, 2021 The UK could free up £95bn for City insurance firms to reinvestment into the economy if the Treasury waters down the EU’s Solvency II regulations post-Brexit, according to a new study. The Association of British Insurers report, researched by accounting firm KPMG, recommends easing the cap on how much capital insurance firms must hold at [...]
Boris Johnson indicates furlough scheme will be extended past April February 22, 2021 Boris Johnson has today vowed “not to pull the rug out” on people receiving emergency Covid support, indicating that he will extend the furlough scheme and other measures past April. Johnson outlined England’s roadmap out of the current Covid lockdown, telling MPs that the easing of lockdown would be a “one way road to freedom”. [...]
