Sir Ed Davey elected as leader of the Liberal Democrats August 27, 2020 Sir Ed Davey is the new leader of the Liberal Democrats after defeating challenger Layla Moran in the party’s leadership contest. Davey, who was the bookies’ favourite, beat Moran by 42,756 votes to 24,564 in what was the highest ever turn out for a Liberal Democrat leadership contest. Davey conceded in his victory speech that [...]
Car production slump continues despite signs of improvement August 27, 2020 The slump in UK car manufacturing continued in July, with just 85,000 vehicles rolling off production lines last month, over 20 per cent lower than a year ago. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the figure showed a “marked improvement” on previous months as factories continued to reopen after lockdown. With [...]
EU trade boss Phil Hogan resigns over ‘golfgate’ August 26, 2020 EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has today resigned after breaching coronavirus restrictions by attending a golf dinner. “It was becoming increasingly clear that the controversy concerning my recent visit to Ireland was becoming a distraction from my work as an EU Commissioner and would undermine my work in the key months ahead”, Hogan said in [...]
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 [...]
From the modern Babylon to the city of canals: Eurostar goes to Amsterdam August 26, 2020 From October this year, passengers will be able to take the Eurostar from St Pancras right into the heart of Amsterdam, the great Gothic Revival Station Centraal on Stationsplein. It’s an eye-catching headline, and one which conjures up images of connectivity, of grand continental train journeys, comfort, ease and relaxation. It’s true that the London-Amsterdam [...]
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 [...]
FTSE 100 swings into the red as pound surges with US stocks mixed August 25, 2020 The FTSE 100 stumbled as traders shrugged off Brexit worries to bid up the pound, while US stocks were mixed after the US and China signalled progress on trade. London’s main stock index was 0.3 per cent lower at 6,088 points in afternoon trading, having dropped back after climbing more than one per cent. The [...]
Lockdown wishlists and pent-up demand boost furniture retailer DFS August 25, 2020 Months under lockdown had many Brits dreaming up furniture wishlists and room makeovers, and that's now pushing orders higher at sofa retailer DFS.
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 [...]