Powering up Britain: How the UK will become carbon neutral by 2050 January 27, 2020 Net zero by 2050. At first blush, it sounds like a code phrase one would hear in the halls of MI6 or in the Ministry of Defence. But as British citizens or residents, we should remember it. In simple terms, it is a declaration by Britain to become carbon neutral in 30 years. This may [...]
Bank of England urged to hold interest rates January 26, 2020 The Bank of England has been urged to keep interest rates on hold as some City economists are painting a brighter picture for the UK economy thanks to increasing clarity on Brexit and a strong labour market. The report from the EY Item Club comes after official statistics on the UK’s labour market and other [...]
Unlimited visa offer to attract top scientists and researchers January 26, 2020 An unlimited fast-track visa scheme to attract the world’s top scientists and researchers will open in the UK next month. The “Global Talent” route will replace the Exceptional Talent visa. There will be no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body will join [...]
Why Boris is a mixed blessing for the City January 26, 2020 Boris and the Conservatives’ thumping electoral victory inevitably led to an uptick in confidence, but dealmakers should keep an eye on the course Number 10 is plotting. Business is celebrating the thwarting of Labour’s most anti-business leader since Michael Foot and the abatement of Brexit-related uncertainty. But we may be left wanting if we expected [...]
BT executive appointed by government to scrutinise tech regulation January 26, 2020 A senior BT executive will run a new body that looks at regulation in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Cathryn Ross, the group’s director of regulatory affairs, will chair the government’s new Regulatory Horizons Council, first reported by Sky News. The body, which is still being set up, will scrutinise whether tech regulation is keeping [...]
Priti Patel: British businesses too reliant on ‘cheap labour’ from the EU January 26, 2020 Home Secretary Priti Patel has accused British businesses of being too reliant on “low skilled” and “cheap” labour from the EU, calling on firms to “invest in the British public”. Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge programme this morning, Patel said the points-based immigration system the government plans to introduce after Brexit would “put a spotlight [...]
Crunch time: Boris Johnson to meet ministers over HS2 decision ‘this week’ January 26, 2020 Boris Johnson is thought to be preparing for a crunch meeting with chancellor Sajid Javid and transport secretary Grant Shapps over the future of the HS2 rail line this week. The meeting could well be a combative one, after a torrid week for supporters of the beleaguered project. On Monday, it emerged the price tag [...]
UK to set out EU free trade deal objectives next month, says Brexit secretary January 26, 2020 Britain will outline more details about its objectives for a free trade deal with the European Union next month after leaving the bloc on Friday, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said. “We are going to publish our objectives for the negotiation… in due course after the 31st,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr this morning. Barclay [...]
World’s biggest banks pushing for £4bn post-Brexit tax cuts to boost the City January 25, 2020 Some of the biggest banks in the world are set to demand tax cuts of up to £4bn per year following Brexit, having paid the Treasury tens of billions in additional levies since the financial crisis. Banks want the government to show its support for its “Global Britain” slogan by convincing global financial giants to [...]
Boris Johnson signs Brexit deal and paves way for UK to leave the bloc next week January 25, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially signed the EU Withdrawal Agreement paving the way for Brexit to happen next Friday. He said it was “fantastic” and that the UK could now “move forward as one country” as he signed the deal hours after EU figures had done the same. Johnson said this marked the end [...]