Business cannot afford to sleep through this election November 18, 2019 Things can only get better — 1997, and not only a song for D:ream but an anthem that swept Tony Blair’s New Labour from obscurity to office. His hand-written message to the nation was “do it”. Do what? None of us knew, but who cared? The country opened its heart in droves at the ballot [...]
To tackle the challenges of our age, UK and EU finance firms must work together November 18, 2019 The economy is a hot topic this election campaign, but one issue which is attracting little attention so far is the value and significance of financial and professional services. According to new data from the Office for National Statistics, the UK exported £82bn of financial services last year, up £4bn on 2017. This gives us [...]
Number of manufacturing companies going bust at highest level in five years November 18, 2019 The number of manufacturing businesses entering insolvency has reached its highest level in five years in the last 12 months, rising 7 per cent to 1,466 from 1,373 in the previous year. Research from global accountancy firm Moore found that a combination of uncertainty over Brexit and a slowdown across Europe was responsible for the [...]
Economic insecurity ‘new normal’ as Brits fear for living standards November 18, 2019 Economic insecurity has become the “new normal” for Brits as millions fear their living standards will fall over the next decade, the boss of a top charity is set to warn. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), will today argue that changes in the [...]
Fewer home sellers in November as general election ramps up uncertainty November 18, 2019 The number of new sellers advertising their properties for sale slumped by the largest amount in a decade this month, as a Brexit deadline and a looming general election spooked prospective sellers. According to the latest research, the number of new sellers dropped 14.9 per cent – the largest year-on-year fall since August 2009 – [...]
London’s fintech boom helps drive record year for US investment November 18, 2019 US venture capital firms have pumped record amounts of money into London and UK companies this year as flourishing fintech firms continue to charm investors, new data has revealed. American investors have been involved in $4.4bn (£3.4bn) worth of deals into UK firms so far in 2019, with London businesses accounting for more than three-quarters [...]
CBI: Labour pledges could “crack the foundations of the economy” November 18, 2019 The head of Britain’s biggest business group warned yesterday that Jeremy Corbyn’s policies could “crack the foundations of the economy” at the start of a week which holds the potential to define the upcoming General Election. Carolyn Fairbairn, head of the CBI, told Sky News that business leaders are asking “who’s next” after the “bolt [...]
Berkeley Homes founder Tony Pidgley backs reforms to end land hoarding November 17, 2019 Berkeley Homes chairman Tony Pidgley has backed an overhaul of property laws to end land hoarding in a bid to boost home ownership. Pidgley, the founder of the FTSE 100 housebuilding giant, said land owners and developers should work with local authorities on “planning uplift” to tackle the shortage of affordable homes. Read more: Berkeley [...]
Labour manifesto will be ‘significantly’ more radical than in 2017 November 17, 2019 Labour insiders have branded the party’s election manifesto as “significantly” further to the left of the party’s 2017 offering. Labour will release its General Election manifesto on Thursday, after holding a Clause V meeting of senior party figures and union bosses last night. Read more: Jeremy Corbyn labels Labour nationalisation plans as very modest Labour [...]
Jeremy Corbyn labels Labour nationalisation plans as ‘very modest’ November 17, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn has claimed Labour’s spending and nationalisation plans are “very, very modest” in an attempt to reassure people the party is “not trying to grab hold of the economy”. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell announced on Thursday the party would part nationalise BT for £20bn and provide free full-fibre broadband across the country. Read more: [...]