Forget glitzy vanity projects like HS2, here’s what we could do instead August 28, 2019 Until recently, Crossrail was cited as an example of that miraculous phenomenon: a government infrastructure project running on time and on budget. We now know that Crossrail has run off track; it is £3bn over its 2010 budget, and will open more than two years late. The much maligned HS2 project came with none of [...]
UK employers growing gloomier but still looking to hire August 28, 2019 UK employers are losing confidence in the economy but are nonetheless looking to hire workers, a new survey has shown. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years The balance of employers’ confidence in the UK economy stood at minus 26 in the three months to July, down one [...]
Britain ‘still attractive for aerospace investment’ despite Brexit uncertainty August 27, 2019 Britain is the fourth-most attractive attractive country to invest in for the aerospace and defence industries, according to research. Despite warnings from major industry players that Brexit uncertainty will hamper investment in the sector, the UK has been named the best European country to invest in, ahead of Germany, by PwC. Countries were ranked on [...]
Home Office ad for EU citizens banned for being ‘misleading’ August 27, 2019 A Home Office advert telling EU citizens how to remain in the UK after Brexit has been banned by the independent watchdog for being “misleading”. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told the government it must not broadcast a radio advert regarding the EU Settlement Scheme, which originally aired in April this year, saying it [...]
Bunzl profits ‘resilient’ despite slowing global economy and struggling UK sales August 27, 2019 Outsourcer Bunzl’s half year results were helped by the weakness of the pound as it boosted revenue and profit despite UK sales lagging behind the rest of its business. The FTSE 100 distribution giant reported a modest rise in pre-tax profit and nudged its dividend up two per cent. Shares fell in early trading but [...]
Opposition MPs agree tactics to stop PM’s no deal Brexit August 27, 2019 Opposition parties have ditched plans for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, instead agreeing to seize control of the Brexit end game through a legislative takeover. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held crunch talks in Westminster today, a week before parliament returns from recess, to try and build a consensus around him leading [...]
German economy racked by biggest export drop in six years, figures show August 27, 2019 Germany’s economy contracted in the second quarter, official statistics confirmed today, as exports fell at the fastest rate in six years. Read more: German economy shrinks in second quarter as exports slump Exports fell by 1.3 per cent quarter on quarter in the months from April to June, a detailed breakdown of Germany’s economic performance [...]
UK mortgage approvals hit highest level in two years August 27, 2019 British high street banks approved the highest number of mortgages for house purchases in over two years in July, according to financial services body UK Finance, in a sign of life in a housing market which has struggled under the weight of Brexit. Read more: London house prices continue to slide under Brexit pressure There [...]
Going prorogue: Boris Johnson could face legal action if Brexit battle builds August 27, 2019 The Prime Minister could be open to an immediate legal challenge by the High Court if he pushes ahead with proroguing parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit, Labour has been told. Shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti claims Boris Johnson would be committing “the gravest abuse of power and attack on UK constitutional [...]
Chance of Brexit deal edges up after Boris Johnson’s G7 meetings August 27, 2019 The likelihood that Boris Johnson will be able to secure a new Brexit deal, and avoid crashing out of the EU in October, have edged up following on from a positive series of meetings around the G7 summit. The Prime Minister spent the week leading up to the Biarritz bash jetting off to see key [...]