Sterling blasts past $1.26 as EU leaders welcome Brexit deal progress October 11, 2019 Sterling rose by over one per cent today to smash past $1.26 as EU leaders welcomed signs that the Brexit talks deadlock could finally break. The British pound climbed 1.8 per cent to $1.267 against the dollar as both European Council president Donald Tusk and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier reacted positively to talks between [...]
Michel Barnier and Stephen Barclay have ‘constructive’ meeting on Brexit October 11, 2019 The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and UK Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay had a “constructive” meeting on Brexit today, an EU Commission spokesperson said. “We are working towards a deal,” said the spokeswoman, Mina Andreeva. “If there is a will, there is a way.” Barnier told assembled reporters that Brexit negotiations were like mountaineering. “Brexit [...]
Why cash-rich renters are on the rise October 11, 2019 According to conventional British wisdom, renting is something you do when you can’t afford to buy a house. While that’s still true of the majority of London renters, there is another group – and they’re growing. Some are international executives coming here to work for a year or two. There are wealthy overseas students, too, [...]
Shares in housebuilders and UK banks jump on new Brexit deal optimism October 11, 2019 Shares in UK housebuilders and banks jumped this morning on renewed optimism a Brexit deal is achievable. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar met yesterday, with Varadkar saying he believes a deal is possible by 31 October. Read more: Sterling barrels past $1.25 as Donald Tusk welcomes progress on Brexit talks [...]
Donald Tusk says he has received ‘promising signals’ from Leo Varadkar on Brexit October 11, 2019 European Council President Donald Tusk said this morning that he had received “promising signals” from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Brexit. Tusk tweeted “The UK has still not come forward with a workable, realistic proposal. But I have received promising signals from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that a deal is possible. Even the slightest chance [...]
Brexit talks continue as Boris Johnson eyes 31 October departure October 11, 2019 Brexit talks are set to continue today, with Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay due to meet chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier to see if they can rescue a deal. Talks between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar sent the pound soaring yesterday as they said they could “see a pathway to a [...]
Jet 2-owner Dart Group says Thomas Cook collapse has boosted bookings October 11, 2019 The owner of airline Jet 2 said today its business has been boosted by the collapse of package holiday company Thomas Cook last month. Dart Group said it had experienced “increased levels of customer demand” since Thomas Cook went into compulsory liquidation. Read more: Fraudsters target refund process for collapsed airline The company said it [...]
Taking a stand is easy when it doesn’t cost you anything October 11, 2019 DOWNING Street is busy trying to get FTSE chiefs to sign a letter in support of the government’s Brexit position, whatever it may be. Enthusiasm is apparently in short supply, and who can blame business leaders for steering clear of this polarising topic? In this day and age, publicly backing Boris Johnson will trigger a [...]
Boris rekindles hope of Brexit breakthrough October 11, 2019 This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. Then again, it might not be. In the days before Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar’s meeting yesterday at a Liverpool wedding venue, talk on both sides of the Channel was of the [...]
Rory walks on with a campaign to spice up the race for London mayor October 11, 2019 Watch out London, your favourite selfie-taking, tie-rejecting, accidental-opium-smoking, politician/rambler is coming to a Tube station near you. Yes, it’s Rory Stewart time once again. For those of us who were mesmerised by the former international development secretary’s short-lived sensation of a campaign to be Tory leader, now we get to enjoy the sequel, after Rory [...]