Four-year folly: The Office for Budget Responsibility shouldn’t be expected to forecast so far into the future November 30, 2016 Economic forecasts have become a political hot potato. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) predictions, presented as part of the chancellor’s Autumn Statement, have put the government under pressure. The OBR has revised down its forecast for GDP growth over the next four years by 1.4 percentage points. The real controversy is that their gloomy projections [...]
Sadiq Khan is vowing to take Downing Street to task over skilled workers November 30, 2016 Sadiq Khan will today accuse the government of failing to listen to fears that London's economy could be rocked if Brexit limits access to skilled workers from EU countries. London's mayor will tell the government to adopt a negotiating position that defends the interests of the city's businesses. If it does not, Khan says he will [...]
President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May agree on defence target November 29, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May have agreed that more NATO members need to meet the alliance's defence target. The two spoke on the phone today, and emphasised the need for NATO members to commit to spending two per cent of GDP on defence. Read more: President-elect Trump now claims to have won [...]
Former David Cameron spin doctor joins Tulchan Communications November 29, 2016 David Cameron's former press secretary Graeme Wilson has taken a job at PR firm Tulchan Communications. Before moving into communications in 2013, Wilson was deputy political editor of The Sun, having worked at the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph. He will start at Tulchan Communications on 1 December. Wilson said: "I am very pleased [...]
Italy expected to retain key “broker” role on Brexit if Renzi quits November 29, 2016 Italy is likely to retain a broking role in Brexit talks, despite uncertainty over Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Renzi could quit next week if he loses a referendum on political reform, but experts play down any change in how Italy views Brexit. “[Italy] does not seek to profit from the negotiations or to punish the [...]
Businesses back May’s tweaked approach to governance as green paper hints at fresh u-turns November 29, 2016 Businesses have welcomed new proposals on corporate governance which appear to show Theresa May continuing to tweak her stance on the sector. The widely-trailed plans included proposals to make publicly-listed firms publish pay ratios, and introduce a form of representation on public boards. But May had already backtracked on forcing firms to directly hand workers non-exec [...]
Donald Tusk says UK should trigger Article 50 right now if it wants to negotiate British citizens’ status in the EU November 29, 2016 European Council president Donald Tusk has told British MPs if they want to negotiate British citizens' rights in the EU, they need to trigger Article 50 now. In a response to complaints from MPs on monday, Tusk said to secure the fate of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens living and working in [...]
“Posturing” Euro chief Dijsselbloem warns against London remaining Europe’s financial hub November 29, 2016 London cannot remain the Eurozone's financial hub if Britain is not bound by EU financial rules, Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem has warned. Dijsselbloem told a European Parliament committee he did not expect Britain to accept being bound by EU rules after leaving the bloc, and so the Union would have to take a "firm stand" [...]
Latest campaign spending figures show a 52 to 48 per cent split between Leave and Remain in EU referendum donations November 29, 2016 The latest spending figures show donations to the Leave and Remain campaigns mimic the result of the EU referendum. The Leave campaign received 52 per cent, or £1,451,414, of donations while the Remain campaign received 48 per cent, or £1,344,419, according to preliminary data of donations under £250,000. Details of more than £4.5m in spending by 48 campaigners over the EU Referendum was [...]
Theresa May’s Conservatives now have a 16 point lead over Labour November 29, 2016 New polling data has shown Theresa May's Conservatives extending their advantage over the Labour party. According to new research published this morning by ICM, the Tories have a commanding 16 point lead over Jeremy Corbyn's party. Asked who they would vote for in a general election, 44 per cent of Britons told the pollster they would [...]