Boris Johnson calls for a ‘transparent investigation’ into Alexei Navalny poisoning August 26, 2020 Boris Johnson has called for a “transparent” investigation into the poisoning of Russian political activist and Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny. The Prime Minister said the UK “stands in solidarity” with Navalny and that the country would “join international efforts to ensure justice is done”. Navalny, who is one of the Russian government’s most prominent [...]
Ex-Australian PM Tony Abbott to be given top UK trade role August 26, 2020 Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to be unveiled as Boris Johnson’s choice to lead the UK’s post-Brexit trade mission. Abbott has reportedly been appointed as joint president – along with trade secretary Liz Truss – to Britain’s Board of Trade and will be tasked with promoting the UK as a trade destination [...]
City figures brought in to advise on UK trade negotiations August 25, 2020 Some of the City of London’s most prominent business leaders have been drafted in by the government to consult on the UK’s ongoing trade negotiations. Leaders from companies such as EY, Barclays and HSBC will be members of the Department of International Trade’s newly formed trade advisory groups. The government is simultaneously negotiating trade deal [...]
Exclusive: UK-Japan trade deal in doubt for Monday’s deadline August 25, 2020 Doubts are growing in Whitehall that a UK-Japan trade deal will be completed by next week’s deadline, despite Downing Street saying just yesterday the target would be met. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told journalists yesterday that Boris Johnson expected the deal to be closed by next Monday’s deadline. However, City A.M. understands that Department [...]
Brits more hesitant to return to the office than European neighbours August 25, 2020 UK workers are more reluctant to return to the office than people from other large economies, according to a new survey. The analysis, completed by US staffing firm ManpowerGroup, showed that 73 per cent of UK workers showed a “negative sentiment” about returning to work. This compares to 59 per cent in France, 66 per [...]
UK looks at curbing use of products made from illegal deforestation August 24, 2020 A new law that would fine UK companies for using products in their supply chains that have been grown through illegal deforestation is being considered by the government. The proposed new legislation, which will soon be put through a consultation phase, would see companies forced to show that products in their supply chain – like [...]
UK-Japan trade deal to be completed by next week August 24, 2020 The UK is expecting to have a free trade deal with Japan wrapped up by next week, after just under three months of negotiations. A Downing Street official today told journalists that the government expects to complete the deal before September, meaning by next Monday at the latest. The completion of a deal would be [...]
Downing Street refuses to call for Londoners to go back to work August 24, 2020 Downing Street has refused to call for more people to return to their offices, despite increasing fears that decreased foot traffic in central London will cripple the economy. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said today that it was up to individual employers to decide whether to bring back employees, while also refusing to say if [...]
Boris Johnson: ‘Vitally important’ schools return next week August 24, 2020 Boris Johnson has said it is “vitally important” all English schools reopen next week and that he has a “moral duty” to ensure it happens. The government has begun its push to get English schools back full time for the start of the academic year in September, despite local lockdowns in some areas. Deputy chief [...]
Rishi Sunak to tighten Treasury assessments for new projects August 23, 2020 Rishi Sunak has threatened government departments that he will be tougher in assessing new infrastructure projects as the Treasury begins to worry about the UK’s bulging deficit. The chancellor will reportedly give the Treasury more oversight of infrastructure spending by giving more power to experts to assess projects, before they report directly to himself and [...]
