Hyperbolic discounting explains why the French are revolting over Macron’s fuel tax December 12, 2018 Economists have long argued that an effective way of reducing carbon emissions is by increasing taxes on energy consumption. This year’s Nobel laureate, Bill Nordhaus, advocated a global carbon tax over 40 years ago. The scientific logic is impeccable. But the practical politics of it are fraught with difficulties. To say that energy taxes, and [...]
Fire May, or her zombie deal will come back to haunt us all December 12, 2018 The withdrawal agreement is dead. Like that famous Norwegian Blue parrot of Monty Python legend, it has simply ceased to be. Its death was not achieved by a humiliating massive vote against it, but, in that cack-handed way only Theresa May manages to finesse, by it never facing a vote at all. It died through lack [...]
Theresa May clinging on as Tory leader amid rumours a no confidence vote is imminent December 11, 2018 Theresa May's premiership is hanging by a thread as Tory MPs are expected to launch a formal leadership challenge, having reportedly secured enough letters of no confidence to trigger a ballot. It was reported on Tuesday night Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative committee that overseas leadership challenges, has requested a meeting with the [...]
The City is braced for a hard Brexit – why aren’t MPs? December 11, 2018 Had things worked out differently we could have woken up this morning to news that MPs voted last night in favour of Theresa May's withdrawal agreement. The transition period was secured, talks would move on to the future trade deal and businesses would breath a mighty sigh of relief. Instead, we rise to find another [...]
China reduces tariffs on US cars to 15 per cent amid signs trade war is softening December 11, 2018 China has agreed to reduce tariffs on US cars from 40 per cent to 15 per cent. Shares in US car firms jumped slightly on immediate reaction to the news. Shares in General Motors were up 2.8 per cent, while Tesla was up 0.7 per cent and Ford 0.65 per cent. Meanwhile, US markets were up slightly [...]
Businesses should entertain chance of ‘accidental’ no-deal Brexit, warns Canada Corporation December 11, 2018 Businesses need to entertain the possibility of a no-deal Brexit as it could "happen by accident", Canada Corporation warned today. Policy head Catherine McGuinness yesterday told German businesses, which had gathered for a Brexit event organised by the London Chamber of Commerce, that although she was hopeful the UK would not leave [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond rules out relaxing regulations to boost finance after Brexit December 11, 2018 London will remain a global financial centre after Brexit, Chancellor Philip Hammond said today as he ruled out relaxing financial regulation. Hammond said Britain will have a safe, transparent and predictable regulation regime, which will be agile enough to cope with changes in business models, Reuters reported. “I reject the idea that laxer regulation makes a [...]
Emergency Brexit debate: Corbyn tells MPs he will table no confidence vote ‘at appropriate time’ December 11, 2018 Jeremy Corbyn has told MPs he will table a vote of no confidence “at the appropriate time”, as Prime Minister Theresa May meets European leaders today to discuss amendments to the Brexit transition deal. Speaking this afternoon in an emergency debate on the PM's decision yesterday to postpone the so-called meaningful vote on the deal, the [...]
Government’s analysis of Brexit no help to MPs, Treasury committee finds December 11, 2018 The government’s own analysis of Brexit is effectively meaningless as it doesn’t scrutinise the implications of the backstop or the most likely trade deal outcomes, according to MPs. The Treasury Select Committee claim analysis of the withdrawal agreement and political declaration secured by Theresa May last month should not be used by MPs to help [...]
Home Office backtracks on plans to scrap ‘golden visas’ for rich investors December 11, 2018 The Home Office has rowed back on plans to halt visas for wealthy investors just days after the suspension was announced. Last week immigration minister Caroline Nokes announced that the visas would be suspended at midnight last Friday amid fears about money laundering and organised crimes. However, today the Home Office confirmed that the visas [...]