FTSE 100 close: Inflation shock tames London index as investors brace for Fed decision March 22, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 nipped higher today despite investors betting the Bank of England will be forced to keep raising interest rates to tame higher than feared inflation. The capital’s premier index closed up 0.41 per cent at 7,566.84 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the [...]
PMQs sketch: Starmer’s cameo on Law & Order March 22, 2023 When in doubt, dig in on law and order. This is underlined, twice, in Sir Keir Starmer’s playbook. The American TV show was, after all, running for more than twenty years, so surely they know a thing or two about what people want. Indeed, the Labour leader was spoilt for choice with Conservative chaos today. [...]
Brexit: Boris Johnson set to vote against Rishi Sunak’s Windsor framework as PM facing Tory resistance March 22, 2023 Boris Johnson has said he will vote against Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal. The former prime minister, who had already voiced concerns about the deal brokered with Brussels, confirmed that he will not be backing the deal when MPs vote on the Stormont brake in the Commons later on Wednesday. In a statement, Mr Johnson said: [...]
The Notebook: Neil Wilson on Credit Suisse, interest rates and Ayn Rand March 22, 2023 How did you go bankrupt?” Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” Hemingway’s wisecrack could be the epitaph for Credit Suisse, whose ignominious end caps a series of disasters at the Swiss bank, eventually bringing it to the brink on Sunday. UBS has probably done rather well, picking up CS for cents on the dollar, even if it will take [...]
Rolls-Royce joins forces with Fortum to explore SMR projects March 22, 2023 Rolls-Royce SMR has teamed with Fortum up to explore opportunities to develop small modular nuclear reactors in Scandinavia.
Brexiteer Tories waver on support for Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal March 21, 2023 A key group of Brexit-supporting Conservative MPs are yet to say whether they will vote for Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal. Parliament will vote tomorrow on the so-called Stormont brake – a key part of the prime minister’s Windsor Framework agreement that would allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to reject new incoming EU rules. European Research [...]
SSE backs UK’s first pumped hydro scheme in 40 years with £100m funding March 21, 2023 SSE will invest £100m in the UK's first pumped hydro storage scheme in 40 years, but warns against further investment uncertainty.
Boris Johnson claims reason for partygate fines ‘remains unclear’ March 21, 2023 Boris Johnson has claimed it “remains unclear” to him – and possibly to Rishi Sunak – why they were fined for breaching lockdown laws after the Met Police investigation into partygate. The former prime minister has released his defence dossier ahead of a marathon evidence session before the cross-party parliamentary privileges committee tomorrow. In the [...]
Bank of England and Fed to ignore Credit Suisse chaos and hike interest rates this week March 21, 2023 The Bank of England and US Federal Reserve are this week expected to ignore the on-going financial market chaos which resulted in Credit Suisse being pawned off in a shotgun sale and hike interest rates. City analysts have tipped Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Bank Governor Andrew Bailey to prioritise fighting inflation instead of shielding [...]
Boris Johnson admits misleading Parliament over Partygate but says it was ‘unintentional’ March 21, 2023 Boris Johnson has denied “intentionally” misleading parliament over alleged breaches of lockdown rules during parties at 10 Downing Street. Johnson acknowledged his claims to MPs, that Covid rules had been “followed at all times,” did not “turn out to be correct.” However, the former prime minister denied deliberately misleading parliament, as he claimed he immediately [...]