Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called Theresa May to establish clarity on the UK’s Brexit timeline July 27, 2016 Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has called for more certainty on when the UK plans to quit the EU following last month's referendum. Last week French president Francois Hollande called on the UK to begin formal Brexit talks as soon as possible, and today Renzi has again stressed the need for clarity on the future of the [...]
EU Commission refuses to call for fines against Spain and Portugal over budget breaches July 27, 2016 The European Commission will not fine Spain and Portugal for breaking the EU's budget rules, despite calls for the EU to take a hard line against the two countries. Spain and Portugal both ran budget deficits which exceeded Eurozone guidelines which prohibit states in the single currency area from running shortfalls of more than three per cent of [...]
MPs warn HMRC cost cutting could lead to another customer service “collapse” July 27, 2016 MPs have slammed HMRC over its levels of customer service, and warned that cutting costs will lead to further lowering of standards. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said in a report today that customer service levels "collapsed" to such a degree last year that at one point in October the average time taken for HMRC to answer the [...]
A woman Prime Minister. So what? July 27, 2016 Much has been made of the fact that we have our second women Prime Minister. But the question remains, what difference does it really make? In my view her appointment has multiple significance and presents us with a major opportunity. Firstly, it still has a huge symbolic value to see a woman running the country. The message that [...]
Here are the key challenges the new pensions minister will face July 27, 2016 The recent reshuffle meant a whole host of new ministerial faces both at the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). These new ministers will have a full agenda when it comes to pensions. At DWP, the new secretary of state is Damian Green, who will be responsible for controlling welfare spending and getting people back [...]
Why it’s time to start taking Donald Trump seriously, part two July 27, 2016 Just as the UK’s former Remain camp was getting used to the transformation of Project Fear into Project Sigh Exaggeratedly But Put Up With It, a new version has emerged across the pond. Yes: Project Fear, Donald Trump Edition, ground into gear this week as the Democratic National Convention got into full swing – – [...]
Sir Philip Green is considering his options after the chair of a BHS investigation failed to meet a 24 hour deadline for an apology July 26, 2016 Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green is considering his options after Labour MP Frank Field failed to respond to Green's claims of defamation and a demand for an apology within 24 hours. That was over a day ago. Lawyers instructed by Green wrote to Field yesterday, claiming the chair of the work and pensions committee used a BBC interview to accuse [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launches London Finance Commission 2 in his latest push for devolution July 26, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new finance commission as part of his latest push for devolution in the wake of the Brexit vote. Khan has tasked the London Finance Commission to bring forward a new, beefed-up set of devolution proposals, arguing that “nothing should be ruled out” when it comes to giving London [...]
EU development funds frozen for at least 600 startups after Brexit vote July 26, 2016 Hundreds of London startups could lose out on investment because the government has put the distribution of EU funds on hold in the aftermath of the referendum. A scheme, named CASTS, designed to provide advice and support for 600 startups in the capital was due to receive £3.7m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) this month, [...]
International trade secretary Liam Fox has revealed plans for three new trade offices in the US July 26, 2016 Liam Fox has announced three new trade offices to be opened in the US in a bid to promote UK business across the country. The international trade secretary announced the new offices while visiting Chicago as part of a three stop US tour. Fox has already visited Washington, and will head to Los Angeles tomorrow [...]