Sajid Javid appoints EY Brexit guru Mats Persson as chief of staff September 2, 2019 EY’s Brexit strategy leader has left the accountants to serve in Downing Street as Sajid Javid’s new chief of staff, City A.M. understands. Mats Persson, who was once David Cameron’s main adviser on EU affairs, left the Big Four accountancy firm last week, EY has confirmed. Read more: Boris threatens rebel MPs with the sack [...]
Sterling sinks after ‘simply shocking’ UK manufacturing data September 2, 2019 Sterling plummeted against the euro and the dollar in response to weak UK manufacturing data as economists warned “there is no clarity whatsoever” surround Brexit. Markets panicked as figures showed output from the UK manufacturing sector sank to a seven-year low in August, sending the pound down against major currencies. Read more: UK manufacturing output [...]
European factory ‘summer slump’ continues through August September 2, 2019 European factory activity stagnated further in August, as a gloomy spell for companies was extended by a continued fall in demand. Manufacturing output fell for the seventh month in a row, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a closely-followed measure of sector activity. Economists recorded a PMI score of 47, where anything below [...]
UK manufacturing activity plunges to seven-year low as economic slowdown bites September 2, 2019 UK manufacturing output crashed to a seven-year low in August as Brexit doubts intensify and a wider economic slowdown hurts firms, according to a closely followed measure of sector activity. Manufacturing output plunged to its worst level since 2012 last month, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Read more: Toyota to halt production [...]
Brexit: Leaked report claims all backstop alternatives have ‘concerns’ September 2, 2019 A leaked report looking into alternatives to the Irish border backstop has claimed there are “concerns and issues” in every case. The dossier, seen by The Guardian, summarises the findings of the government’s own “alternative arrangements” working groups. Read more: Prime Minister threatens to sack rebel MPs over Brexit vote It concludes there is no [...]
Dechra Pharmaceuticals hikes dividend but braces itself for no-deal Brexit September 2, 2019 Veterinary drugs maker Dechra Pharmaceuticals has steeled itself for a possible no-deal Brexit by shifting ownership of UK marketing authorisations to a new arm in the Netherlands. Dechra has also moved all its analytical testing methods for products created at its Skipton site in the UK to a new laboratory in Zagreb, Croatia as well [...]
Boris Johnson threatens rebel MPs over Brexit vote September 2, 2019 The Prime Minister has threatened to sack dozens of Conservative MPs if they vote against the government this week. MPs return to Westminster tomorrow and are poised for a showdown over Brexit, after Boris Johnson pushed for parliament to be prorogued for five weeks in the run-up to the Brexit Halloween deadline. It is widely [...]
Eurotunnel reveals new customs system as it says it’s ‘ready for Brexit’ September 2, 2019 Eurotunnel is ready for Brexit, it told investors today, as it aimed to quell fears that there could be disruption to the key trade route. Around 5,000 trucks use the Channel Tunnel every day and the Paris-listed company has introduced a two-lane system for trucks post-Brexit. Read more: Grayling admits cabinet overruled him on Eurotunnel [...]
De La Rue replaces chairman after investor pressure September 2, 2019 Banknote and passport producer De La Rue has appointed a new chairman after months of investor pressure on its top level leadership. Kevin Loosemore, who is also chairman at struggling IT giant Micro Focus, will take up the role with immediate effect. Read more: Investor ‘threatens to oust chair’ at troubled printer De La Rue [...]
DEBATE: Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? September 2, 2019 Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, says YES. Gender discrimination remains rife within society and our political system. Politics fails not only new mothers like Ruth Davidson, but also those with a range of caring responsibilities. Parliament has failed [...]