UK businesses plan to cut jobs and investment, survey shows October 8, 2020 UK businesses expect to cut staff levels and investment over the next year, according to a new survey, with the outlook “stuck in the doldrums”. The Institute of Directors’ (IoD) survey showed that bosses’ optimism about the economy plateaued in September, having risen since the coronavirus-induced lockdowns of the spring. The UK economy shrunk by [...]
Brexit: UK and EU edging closer on state aid talks, says David Frost October 7, 2020 The UK and EU are finally beginning to make progress in the contentious area of state subsidies during Brexit trade talks, according to Britain’s chief negotiator Lord David Frost. Frost said today that talks with Brussels on state aid had been “somewhat more constructive” in recent weeks after “a long period in which we’ve been [...]
Cambridge Analytica did not misuse data to influence Brexit, watchdog rules October 7, 2020 Disgraced political consultancy Cambridge Analytica did not misuse data to try and influence the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum, a major probe has concluded. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has spent three years investigating the use of personal data in political campaigning by the now defunct SCL Elections — the parent company of Cambridge [...]
Guest opinion: Too many infrastructure projects have been dropped or delayed October 7, 2020 So, another “big vision” speech from the prime minister. After weeks of criticism over the Government’s poor handling of coronavirus and Brexit the call to arms at the Conservative Party’s online conference came straight out of the Johnson playbook. Boost infrastructure investment and productivity. Build a better country. Look ahead to a bright future. It’s [...]
UK house prices jump again in September as market defies gravity October 7, 2020 UK house prices rose at the fastest pace in four years in September despite the raging coronavirus pandemic as people working from home sought more space, according to the Halifax house price index. Yet the lender said it is “unlikely” that the British housing market will “remain immune” to the historic economic slowdown. House prices [...]
Fall in German factory output a temporary setback, economists say October 7, 2020 German factory output unexpectedly fell in August, raising alarm bells about the health of Europe’s biggest economy. But economists have backed the sector to resume its mixed recovery in September. Industrial output fell 0.2 per cent in August after rising 1.4 per cent in July, the Federal Statistics Office said today. The August figure was [...]
Be brave Mr Sunak… and keep spending October 7, 2020 Since Rishi Sunak stepped into the suddenly vacant 11 Downing Street back in February, he’s proved a fleet-footed chancellor, earning praise for the speed at which he launched the furlough programme, provided cash support to struggling companies, and stood behind the economy as the pandemic took hold. He quickly realised that extraordinary times required extraordinary [...]
Heathrow Airport begins third runway Supreme Court appeal October 7, 2020 Heathrow Airport will today begin a Supreme Court appeal over the decision to block the building of a third runway on the grounds that it did not take into account the UK’s climate pledges. Back in February, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government had failed to take the 2015 Paris climate agreement into [...]
See A Film Out To Help Out: Five ways to save the film industry October 7, 2020 In this uncertain and unnerving year, there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel, particularly for people working in the UK’s film industry. This week, Cineworld confirmed its plans to place all of its own cinemas and those of its Picturehouse brand in an unprecedented winter hibernation — meaning the loss [...]
Rishi Sunak unveils plan to create England Freeports October 7, 2020 The Treasury will soon start taking bids from cities and towns in England to become Freeports next year, which will see businesses benefit from tax breaks and relaxed customs procedures. The government announced today that its selection process will begin before the end of the year and will see the first England Freeports set up [...]