MPs launch inquiry with eye to bolstering City after Brexit November 20, 2020 MPs have launched a major new inquiry aimed at strengthening the role of the City of London as a global financial hub after Britain leaves the EU’s trading arrangements in January. The Treasury Committee of MPs said it will dig into how financial services regulations should be set and scrutinised by lawmakers, and how regulators [...]
Brexit negotiations to continue remotely following positive Covid case November 19, 2020 Brexit talks will continue remotely after being put on hold earlier today on the news a member of the EU negotiating team tested positive for Covid.
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan’s PR budget soars by 33 per cent in four years November 19, 2020 Sadiq Khan has increased City Hall spending on public relations by 33 per cent over the course of his term in office, according to newly released figures. Numbers released by City Hall through a freedom of information request show the mayor spent £977,912 on press office costs for 2019/20, compared to £732,537 in 2015/16. Spending [...]
Boris Johnson vows to make UK Europe’s greatest naval power with new defence spending November 19, 2020 Boris Johnson has vowed the UK will return to its place as “the foremost naval power in Europe” through a landmark increase in military spending. Johnson said the country will benefit from a “renaissance of ship building”, while also focusing on space-based defence technologies that will destroy “targets with inexhaustiable lasers”. The government will increase [...]
And Breathe… November 19, 2020 Plenty for Everyone Bitcoin traded a touch softer, although there was also plenty of dip buying interest. In the early European trade, Bitcoin was trading in the mid-$17,000 area. The growth in the open interest (OI) has abated somewhat, where stablecoin margined venues have gained market share relative to Bitcoin margined venues. That being said, [...]
UK competition watchdog launches probe into O2-Virgin Media merger November 19, 2020 The UK competition watchdog has opened an investigation into the planned £31bn mega-merger between O2 and Virgin Media after the deal was referred from the EU. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last month requested to take over the case, arguing the potential impact on competition would primarily affect the UK market. The watchdog has [...]
Treasury launches listings review to lure companies to float in the UK November 19, 2020 The Treasury has today launched a review into the rules governing public listings in a bid to lure firms to float in the UK. Former British commissioner to the EU Lord Hill will lead the review which is aimed at helping to shape the UK’s financial services industry after Brexit. Lord Hill will present his [...]
Covid-19 vaccine refusers may face different life insurance policies November 19, 2020 Those who refuse to have the coronavirus vaccine, should one become widely available, could be offered different life insurance terms to those who have had the vaccine. Reassured director of corporate sales Phil Jeynes told City A.M. that the existence of a coronavirus vaccine could mean customers who have had the vaccine are offered different [...]
UK tech visa applications jump as sector attracts top talent November 19, 2020 Applications to the Tech Nation visa rose almost 50 per cent this year as Britain’s booming tech sector continues to attract top talent from around the globe. The number of applications for the visa, which grants employees and founders in the tech sector the right to work in the UK for up to five years, [...]
UK and Canada ‘on the brink’ of agreeing a trade deal November 19, 2020 The UK is reportedly close to signing a trade agreement with Canada to replace the existing deal it has through EU membership. An announcement could come as early as Thursday, according to a Bloomberg report. Without it the two countries would face tariffs from 1 January once the Brexit transition period ends. The UK currently [...]