Malaysia offers UK post-Brexit trade deal on palm oil ‘rethink’ August 19, 2019 Malaysia’s government has offered the UK a post-Brexit trade deal, with improved terms – but only if the country rethinks “the European Union’s misguided policy on palm oil”. Writing in Bloomberg, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad claimed the EU’s 2017 decision to phase out and ultimately ban biofuels made from palm oil was not based [...]
German finance ministry warns no-deal Brexit a ‘high probability’ August 17, 2019 The German government believes there is a “high probability” that a no-deal Brexit will occur on 31 October. An assessment made by the finance ministry came to the conclusion it is “inconceivable” that Prime Minister Boris Johnson softens his stance on the Irish backstop. Read more: Corbyn fails to drum up support for plan to [...]
Government offers £25m to ensure drug supply after Brexit August 15, 2019 The government is planning a £25m contract to ensure British pharmacies and medicine cabinets stay stocked after Brexit. The contract will ensure that small parcels of medicines or medical products get into the country within 24 hours, with larger deliveries every two or four days. Read more: New £300m no-deal Brexit freight plan risks legal [...]
Does your business have a Brexit plan? Good, now it needs a Corbyn plan too August 15, 2019 In the mid-1970s, when I was a 10-year-old in love with Choppers and Sherbet Fountains, the ideological war between Thatcherism and Bennism began. Small versus big state, low versus high taxation, light versus tight regulation, and private versus public ownership. Now, 45 years later, we have a neo-Thatcherite government facing a Bennite-controlled Labour party. And [...]
Next boss: Brexit deal can be struck – but we need nerves of steel August 13, 2019 Next boss Lord Wolfson has said the country needs “nerves of steel” in the coming weeks, but is still hopeful a deal can be struck on Brexit. Wolfson, who advocated Leave during the referendum, has been critical of the previous government’s handling of no deal contingency planning, warning that it could lead to “chaos and [...]
UK ‘first in line’ for trade deal with US after Brexit: Bolton August 13, 2019 The UK will be “first in line” for a trade deal after leaving the EU, according to one of Donald Trump’s most senior advisers. John Bolton, who is in London for meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said Trump would “enthusiastically” support a no-deal Brexit, while ensuring trade deals were quick to follow. They would [...]
Downing Street eyes early September for Brexit showdown August 12, 2019 The UK government is eyeing early September as the next big Brexit showdown, with the EU expected to bide its time until British politicians have thrashed it out. The parliamentary battle is expected to take place on 9 September – a week after MPs return from their summer break, a senior government source said. MPs [...]
Time running out for Remainer MPs to stop no deal Brexit: IfG August 12, 2019 There is little chance of Remainer MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit before the Halloween deadline, a new report has found. With parliament still on summer recess, there will be less than two months for politicians to thwart Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to leave the EU “do or die” by 31 October. A new paper [...]
Coalition of women touted to stop no-deal Brexit August 12, 2019 A coalition of women, headed by Green MP Caroline Lucas, is bandying together to lead parliament if MPs go against Boris Johnson in a no-confidence vote. Writing in the Guardian, Lucas said she had “reached out” to 10 female colleagues, including members for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, SNP, Plaid Cymru and Independent Group for [...]
We can avoid a no-deal Brexit, if both sides just keep calm August 12, 2019 The Eurozone economy is not looking healthy. The German engine is stalling, global trade tensions will not abate any time soon, and President Donald Trump may soon turn his fire on Europe. China has allowed the renminbi to sink, thereby exporting deflationary pressures. Large economies like Italy, France and Spain are still in no condition [...]