Many City bosses disapprove of Trump’s presidency, but would be happy to see Dodd-Frank reformed February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has finally appointed a Treasury Secretary, with former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin confirmed by the Senate last night. Mnuchin joins former Goldman Sachs number two Gary Cohn who has been filling the vacuum since becoming Trump’s head of the National Economic Council, and is believed to have already exerted broad influence [...]
Canadian PM Trudeau promises not to “lecture” the US over Trump’s travel ban February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has shared an occasionally tense first encounter with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with both men largely avoiding their differences on immigration. Trudeau has made it clear he opposes Trump's attempted bans on Syrian refugees and migration for passport holders from seven predominantly Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. However, the [...]
Finnish foreign minister vows to fight for “a good deal” between the UK and Europe after Davis talks February 13, 2017 Finland's foreign minister has vowed to push for “a good deal” between the UK and the EU after talks with Brexit secretary David Davis. Davis met Timo Soini in Helsinki at the start of a two-day trip to the Nordic region, and Soini called for "constructive" talks with the UK. “We are hoping, of course all of us, [...]
The MP trying to unseat House of Commons speaker John Bercow claims he has support from government ministers February 13, 2017 The Tory MP behind a motion of no confidence in John Bercow claims he has secured cross party support for his bid to unseat the House of Commons speaker, with government ministers also on board. Southend MP James Duddridge put forward an Early Day Motion late last week following Bercow's intervention over Donald Trump. And today, Duddridge [...]
London’s lord mayor is the latest to lead a trade mission to China February 13, 2017 Canada's lord mayor, Andrew Parmley, will follow closely in the footsteps of government ministers by leading a trade delegation to China later this month. Foreign office minister Alok Sharma began a four-day trip leading a delegation of life sciences firms earlier this week as the government seeks to boost ties with China, and Parmley will [...]
Early signs suggest there’s already been a fall in supply of EU nationals – contributing to UK skills and labour shortages February 13, 2017 Sectors employing a high number of EU nationals are starting to feel the pinch as uncertainty lingers over future prospects. According to the CIPD and Adecco’s Labour Market Outlook, while the short-term outlook for employment remains strong, skills and labour shortages are starting to become evident in sectors employing a raft of EU nationals. Despite [...]
Blame France’s incompetent and corrupt elite for the rise of Marine Le Pen February 13, 2017 “Apres moi, le deluge.” (After me comes the flood) – Louis XV Say what you will, Francois Fillon, the disgraced former frontrunner in the upcoming French presidential elections, is no Professor Moriarty. As the investigative journal Canard Enchaine reports, Fillon paid his wife Penelope over €800,000 for work as a political assistant it is unclear whether [...]
We should roll back the barriers to growth post-Brexit – not employment rights February 13, 2017 For years, some of the people I’ve encountered on the Westminster circuit have argued that one of the principal reasons for the UK to leave the EU is employment law. For this hardy bunch, and their tight circle of business supporters, rolling back employment legislation always seemed to be the answer to everything that ails Britain. [...]
With Britain on track to invoke Article 50 in March, is the EU unprepared for the implications of Brexit? February 13, 2017 Tim Worstall, senior fellow of the Adam Smith Institute, and author of Chasing Rainbows: Economic Myths, Environmental Facts, says Yes. There are minor implications of Brexit that Europe hasn’t really got to grips with yet. Given that the UK has long been a substantial net contributor, who is going to fill the hole in their [...]
The FCO is leading a delegation of British life sciences firms to China this week February 13, 2017 A Foreign Office minister is leading a delegation of British healthcare and life sciences firms to China this week in a bid to boost trade. Asia-Pacific minister Alok Sharma will be in South China from Monday to Wednesday, before visiting Beijing to meet with Chinese ministers. It comes just days after Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister [...]