HSBC: UK should not quit EU just as services reforms are coming February 23, 2015 Britain is threatening to leave the EU at the worst possible moment, HSBC analysts said yesterday, as key changes are on the way which will benefit the UK. Big businesses were reluctant to give their views on the Scottish referendum until the polls tightened at the last minute – and the comments sparked a backlash. But [...]
Britain would lose economic influence if it left the EU, says Norwegian minister February 22, 2015 The UK faces a struggle to impose its economic will if it leaves the EU, according to Norway’s minister for Europe, Vidar Helgesen. Norway is often held up as a shining example of how a country can thrive outside of the European Union, but life beyond the bloc is not plain sailing. Talking to the [...]
Businesses want to know that the UK has safeguards against the Eurozone, says head of BCC February 10, 2015 The head of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said he would like Britain to be protected against getting closer to the Eurozone At the annual BCC conference today, John Longworth said the next government “must set out what it will do to protect the United Kingdom against the prospect of being [...]
General Election 2015: British Chambers of Commerce calls for quick EU referendum February 10, 2015 A vote on whether Britain should remain a part of the EU or not should take place soon to avoid uncertainties for business, the head of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said. Speaking ahead of the BCC annual conference, director general John Longworth told the BBC: "Our members say that they actually want [...]
EU referendum greater risk to London’s property market than General Election uncertainty, says KPMG January 12, 2015 A referendum on Britain's EU membership could herald bad news for London's high-flying property market, new research has found. David Cameron has promised to renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU and put the result to the people by 2017. But if Brits vote to leave, the capital's property market could suffer in the aftermath, big [...]
Britain’s future lies in a reformed EU – but the Tories are putting that at risk January 8, 2015 When the British people cast their votes on 7 May, they face a real choice. Do they want a Britain hankering for the past, or preparing for the future? Do they want a Britain closed to the world, or open to opportunity? Do they want an economy and a country that works only for a [...]
The City must make the case for EU reform – for the sake of all Europe January 5, 2015 The General Election looms large at the start of this New Year. For practical reasons, business prizes stability and places a premium on calm trading conditions, as major changes in policy have an unsettling effect on potential investors. And few decisions will have such a far reaching impact on the UK economy as what we [...]
EU referendum: Owen Paterson calls for Brexit after loss of Rochester and Strood to Ukip November 24, 2014 Ex-cabinet minister Owen Paterson has called for Britain to withdraw from the EU in a speech to business leaders. The Tory backbencher, who proved a controversial environment secretary, told the campaign group Business for Britain, which aims to get the UK a better deal with the EU, that a free trade agreement would be a [...]
Citi’s UK boss James Bardrick: The City won’t fall apart on a Brexit but Britain must do more to make EU work November 23, 2014 Britain’s increasingly fierce row over the EU can be highly polarised. Depending on who you listen to, the economy will either crumble and die outside Europe, or an exit will free the UK from the dead hand of Brussels and lead to a new golden era of trade and prosperity. Citi’s UK boss James [...]
Conservatives hit back in debate over promise of EU referendum November 10, 2014 Senior Tories yesterday hit back at critics of the party’s promise of an EU referendum. Prime Minister David Cameron denied the move would create business uncertainty, as suggested by Labour leader Ed Miliband, telling the Confederation of British Industry’s annual conference that the idea is unfounded. And striking back at the Labour leader [...]