UK retail sales surge close to pre-lockdown levels in June recovery July 24, 2020 UK retail sales almost recovered in June from their staggering drops during Britain’s coronavirus lockdowns, official data showed today. The volume of retail sales jumped 13.9 per cent from May to June as shops and non-essential stores opened their doors to customers once again following a lockdown that started on 23 March. Non-food store sales [...]
Where is the no-deal planning we need to extract a deal from the EU? July 24, 2020 The UK ended its fifth round of negotiations this week, and still there has been no agreement on the principles of a future trading deal — let alone an actual deal. This was all too predictable. The EU is seeking a deal founded in ideology, and the UK simply wants to trade. Back in January, [...]
After a year in the job, Boris Johnson is a disappointment to even his biggest fans July 24, 2020 On the Institute of Economic Affairs’ Live With Littlewood show this week, I was asked to score Boris Johnson’s first year as Tory leader. I am accustomed to being the token left-winger (relatively speaking) on the IEA’s show, which tends to feature economists and journalists who identify firmly on the Conservative right. I was therefore [...]
DEBATE: Should Brits embrace the joys of the domestic staycation this summer? July 24, 2020 Should Brits embrace the joys of the domestic staycation this summer? Victoria Mackarness, senior account manager at CMS Strategic, says YES. The UK is lucky to boast an abundance of incredible holiday destinations with something to appeal to everyone. From the Highlands of Scotland to the beaches of St Ives, we are blessed with glorious [...]
The City View: Imran Gulamhuseinwala on Britain’s open banking future July 23, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Today Andy is joined by Imran Gulamhuseinwala, the Implementation Trustee of Open Banking Ltd and the man tasked by the Government with driving forward the UK’s adoption of this potentially revolutionary technology. They discuss the journey so far, the challenges along the way, and the burgeoning industry of third-party [...]
City figures worried about prospect of Brexit without trade deal July 23, 2020 City of London figures have expressed concern about the increasing likelihood of the UK leaving the post-Brexit transition period without a deal. The latest round of talks wrapped up today, with both sides saying no serious progress was made on the most contentious issues. The two largest areas of contention are still EU fishing access [...]
UK tech sector to be hit harder than France or Germany in 2020 July 23, 2020 Technology spending is set to be hit harder in the UK than in France or Germany, new research revealed, as different approaches to the pandemic weigh on the sector. Research from Forrester said the UK will be most heavily impacted, with an expected tech decline of up to 9.3 per cent in 2020, followed by [...]
FTSE 100 rises but US markets fall as jobless claims grow July 23, 2020 The FTSE 100 clung on to its gains but US markets fell as investors weighed rising American joblessness against the prospect of more economic stimulus. London’s main stock index was 0.2 per cent higher in afternoon trading at 6.218 points. The FTSE 250 was up 0.1 per cent. Read more: Unilever beats sales forecasts as [...]
Brexit: UK-EU free trade deal ‘now unlikely’ after last round of talks July 23, 2020 It is “now unlikely” the UK and EU will agree to a free trade deal before the 31 December deadline, according to the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier. UK chief negotiator David Frost also said a no trade deal exit from the EU’s single market and customs union was a real possibility now, but that [...]
Brexit: No progress expected in latest round of UK-EU trade talks July 23, 2020 UK and EU negotiators are expected to announce today that no significant progress had been made in the latest round of Brexit trade deal negotiations. Boris Johnson last month said he wanted the framework of free trade deal agreed between the UK and EU by July, however it looks like this deadline will pass with [...]