Green belt reform drops off the agenda as ministers issue long-awaited housing proposals February 6, 2017 Ministers have steered away from a liberalisation of building on so-called green belt land, despite acknowledging the worsening housing crisis in many parts of the country. The government had been expected to introduce reforms to free up protected land, but proposals released today after months of delay have instead abandoned any reference to easing restrictions. Instead, [...]
E.On hikes dual fuel energy prices by £97 – and the government says it’s “prepared to act” March 7, 2017 E.On is hiking its energy prices because of increasing costs to social and environmental schemes – and ministers have responded with a word of warning to the industry. The Germany-based company said prices for dual fuel customers will rise 8.8 per cent from 26 April, affecting 62 per cent of customers, or 2.5m people. "Wherever markets are not [...]
MPs and peers are calling for a new, regional visa system January 5, 2017 A cross-party group of 24 MPs and peers is demanding the government investigates a new, regionally-led immigration system for the UK. The panel of MPs, which is led by Labour’s Chuka Umunna, argues that regions and cities should gain control of their own visa rules. This would mimic a system already in place in Canada, [...]
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 [...]
Investor relief at Dutch election: what next for stock markets? March 16, 2017 European stock markets have expressed relief at the Dutch election result. Traders had been anxious and share prices put under pressure in the run up to polling day yesterday. But centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte saw off a challenge from the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by anti-immigration nationalist Geert Wilders. The election had [...]
Investor relief at Dutch election: what next for stock markets? March 16, 2017 European stock markets have expressed relief at the Dutch election result. Traders had been anxious and share prices put under pressure in the run up to polling day yesterday. But centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte saw off a challenge from the Party for Freedom (PVV), led by anti-immigration nationalist Geert Wilders. The election had been [...]
Higher inflation boosts ECB hawks’ case for tightening ahead of monetary policy meeting January 18, 2017 Inflation in the Eurozone rose sharply in December, the European Commission has confirmed, adding further to pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB) to begin withdrawing its historically expansive monetary policy support on Thursday. Consumer prices across the bloc increased by 1.1 per cent, a steep rise from the 0.6 per cent growth recorded the [...]
UK banks still vulnerable to a “toxic cocktail” of taxpayer bailout risks says Treasury Select Committee chair December 19, 2016 The UK’s banks are still vulnerable to a “toxic cocktail” of risks for which the taxpayer may have to foot the bill, according to the head of the Treasury Select Committee (TSC). TSC chair and Conservative MP Andrew Tyrie is launching a new inquiry into the sector, stating that the public has a right to know [...]
In full: The letter Sadiq Khan sent to chancellor Philip Hammond on business rates February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined forces with a host of business groups to write to chancellor Philip Hammond, warning him about how business rate changes will hit the capital. Business rates changes will come into effect on 1 April, and the new taxes are tied to rents across the UK. As rents have jumped [...]
UK businesses and consumers see rosy economic prospects peak at the end of 2016, as confidence in Europe rises January 6, 2017 UK business confidence in the economy’s prospects increased to a 2016 high in December as Eurozone companies also saw a strong improvement in trading conditions, according to the European Commission. The buoyant services sector drove UK economic sentiment to an increase of 1.3 per cent, reflecting recent news of a rise in the services purchasing [...]