Emmanuel Macron has won a big endorsement for his French presidential campaign and the markets seem to like it February 22, 2017 French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has received another boost in a busy week, after being endorsed by veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, with the markets welcoming the move. Macron was in London to speak to Prime Minister Theresa May only yesterday, and today won the backing of Bayrou, helping his bid to move clear of centre-right Republican Francois Fillon [...]
Sajid Javid has just signalled a Budget concession on business rates February 22, 2017 Communities secretary Sajid Javid has today signalled a government concession on support for firms facing substantial hikes in business rates later this year. The government has previously promised a £3.6bn package for transition measures, but Javid said today that he was working closely with chancellor Philip Hammond on demands for further support. Despite defending the incoming [...]
Did Labour deputy leader Tom Watson perform a Parliamentary “dab”? February 22, 2017 Prime Minister's Questions resumed today after a brief break – and with two by-elections taking place tomorrow, it was a crucial session. But it wasn't quite business as usual. Because it looks an awful lot like Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson performed a little dance move from his seat in the House of Commons. Deputy Labour [...]
Now the Treasury Select Committee says it will take evidence on the business rates revaluation February 22, 2017 Andrew Tyrie has written to the chancellor for clarification on the controversial business rates revaluation. Pressure is growing for a review on an upcoming business rates revaluation after Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, said the Committee will take evidence on the revaluation and its effects on the economy. Many, including London mayor Sadiq Khan, [...]
Our overly centralised tax system has exacerbated the business rates debacle February 22, 2017 Business rates may not be the most captivating subject for most Morning Wire readers. But the impact of a delayed revaluation on our shops, pubs and cafes might well be. Changes affecting the £25bn a year tax that ultimately goes to pay for social care, schools, Tube trains and roads are due to come into [...]
As Jean-Claude Juncker re-emphasises that Britain faces a “hefty” Brexit bill, should we pay it? February 22, 2017 Jonathan Portes, professor of economics and public policy at King’s College London, says Yes. Why is this even a question? The bulk of the “bill” relates to accrued pension liabilities of EU civil servants – pensions they earned while working for us. We – the UK public, via our democratically elected government – hired them, [...]
Labour vows to fight for a “manufacturing renaissance” in Brexit February 22, 2017 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell will today vow to put the UK's manufacturers at the heart of Labour's Brexit planning. Speaking at the national conference of manufacturer's association EEF in London, McDonnell will promise to develop a “British Mittelstand”, in reference to the mid-sized businesses sometimes held up as the core of Europe's economy. The shadow chancellor [...]
Lib Dem leader Farron to demand a fresh industrial revolution led by a new Green Investment Bank February 21, 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is to call for the government to create a new Green Investment Bank in a speech demanding a new industrial revolution. Speaking in Central London tomorrow, Farron will outline plans for a new “Victorian” era of building, warning that Britain risks being “surpassed and relegated” without action. The Lib Dems are [...]
London’s Tory MPs band together to battle business rate plans February 21, 2017 London's Tory MPs are banding together to propose reforms to business rates as the pressure builds on chancellor Philip Hammond. Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond told Morning Wire that MPs were reflecting the fact that capital business faces some of the steepest increases in the country. “The pressure is building at a time when it's very difficult [...]
Brazen French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron tells London – I want your banks to move to Paris after Brexit February 21, 2017 French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has said he wants to lure banks from London to Paris in the aftermath of Brexit, striking a bullish and undiplomatic tone during a visit to Downing Street. "I was very happy to see that some academics and researchers in the UK because of Brexit are considering coming to France [...]