UK trade bodies rebel against ‘cartel-like’ shipping costs October 19, 2021 Make UK, the trade body representing UK manufacturers, has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to open an investigation into the shipping sector’s “cartel-like practices” when it comes to the increase in prices. Writing a letter to the CMA alongside the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Make UK has said that the “increase [...]
Travel rules mean London is ‘very uncompetitive’ tourism prospect October 19, 2021 The government must tweak its international travel rules in order for high-end London hotels to recuperate after the pandemic, according to one trade leader. London is currently “very uncompetitive” in the international tourism market, Joss Croft, boss of trade body UKinbound, told CityA.M. While changes to allow travellers arriving in the UK to test with [...]
Boris Johnson hails £9.7bn in 2021 foreign investment at UK summit October 18, 2021 Boris Johnson will talk up £9.7bn in foreign investment deals the UK has attracted this year as he opens the three-day Global Investment Summit tomorrow. Johnson will open the summit, before having a “fireside chat” with Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the government continues its bid to increase business investment post-Brexit. However, the Prime Minister’s [...]
Clear as mud: EU hints at extension to City’s equivalence deal for euro-clearing October 18, 2021 The EU’s head of financial services yesterday hinted at a possible extension to the post-Brexit carry-over deal which allows banks from the bloc to access clearing houses in the City. Mairead McGuinness told the Financial Times that Brussels was minded to avoid a “cliff edge” situation and avoid market instability. “We have to make sure [...]
Abuse in British politics: MPs open up about death threats following Sir David Amess tragedy October 18, 2021 Dozens of MPs have opened up about the often frightening and bizarre experiences of receiving death threats as they paid tribute to Sir David Amess in the wake of the Conservative backbencher’s murder on Friday. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab spoke of having received at least three threats on “life and limb” in the past two [...]
Nightclubs warn shortage of bouncers can turn into ‘threat to public safety’ October 18, 2021 Nightclubs are urgently calling for Government intervention to a worsening shortage of bouncers which industry bosses say could become a “threat to public safety”. The Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) said last month that one in five night-life and hospitality businesses closed or reduced operating hours due to a shortage of security staff. However, it [...]
Sunak reportedly mulls cutting VAT on household energy bills to ease cost of living October 18, 2021 Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering cutting the 5 per cent rate of VAT on energy bills in a bid to cut living expenses for families this winter. Potential cuts in VAT to energy bills were touted by Vote Leave campaigners as a “Brexit dividend”, as EU rules stop countries from changing the rate, with some [...]
Move on from Brexit and stop seeing business as ‘enemy within’, govt is told October 18, 2021 The Government should move on from Brexit, and end the “blame game” with business over the current challenges facing the country, a leading industry group has said. Manufacturing organisation Make UK said ministers should step up working in partnership with business to address the many issues facing industry. The group said there was a feeling [...]
CFOs do not expect ‘double whammy’ of labour shortages and supply disruptions to ease before 2023 October 18, 2021 Finance leaders believe that the labour shortages and supply disruptions British businesses are experiencing now are likely to persist for a year, with no meaningful easing until late 2022 or more likely early 2023. The majority of CFOs experienced labour shortages over the past three months with three-quarters reporting some, severe or significant recruitment difficulties. [...]
Boris Johnson won because people were tired of Brexit – bringing it back won’t help him October 18, 2021 David Frost, the UK’s Brexit Minister, used a speech last week to threaten to suspend parts of his own Brexit deal with the EU unless changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol could be agreed. The speech has ratcheted up tensions on a debate that had largely dropped off the agenda since the outset of the [...]