Theresa May claims ‘no deal’ is better than a Canada-style agreement with the EU September 25, 2018 Theresa May has claimed a Canada-style free trade agreement with the EU is worse than no deal in comments which infuriated Brexit-backing Conservatives. Speaking at the beginning of a two-day trip to New York, May shot down a proposal backed by her former Brexit Secretary David Davis that the UK should negotiate a looser [...]
From sugar to saving, this government is treating us like a nation of children January 4, 2019 The morning I turned eight, I woke up and told my father that I was “halfway there”. This, in my home state of Connecticut, was in reference to getting my driving licence, a process I could start on my sixteenth birthday. As a kid, this was the milestone that I was most excited to reach, [...]
Oil prices rebound after record losing streak as producers mull supply cut November 14, 2018 Oil prices have bounced back bringing an end to the commodity's longest losing streak since records began as producers prepare for supply cuts. Crude prices had fallen for 12 consecutive days losing more than 25 per cent of their value as supply surged and demand faltered. But major oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, have suggested [...]
Factors beyond the control of oil producers have caused price surge, Opec boss says October 11, 2018 Factors “beyond the control” of oil producers have led prices to surge, the director general of Opec has said. The cartel's director general Mohammad Barkindo said there were non-fundamental factors influencing the market. Oil prices have surged in recent weeks in anticipation of US sanctions on Iran, which could take two million barrels per day [...]
Brent crude prices are below $63 as the IEA says oil market could tip out of balance on rising non-Opec output November 14, 2017 Brent crude oil prices dipped below $63 a barrel today as the International Energy Agency (IEA) revised its oil demand forecast down due to mild early winter temperatures and rising production from some countries. The Paris-based IEA revised demand growth down by 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) for both 2017 and 2018, for an increase [...]
Three quarters of adult smokers bought tax-free tobacco at least once last year as higher taxes bite August 28, 2018 Three quarters of adult smokers bought tobacco that has not been taxed in the UK at least once in the last year, a survey by the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association (TMA) found. Around 76 per cent of smokers buy untaxed tobacco at least once a year – this can be from legal sources such as duty free but also [...]
Oil bankers form advisory firm as price surge fuels deals October 8, 2018 A former adviser to BP has launched a new advisory firm as the oil industry becomes “comfortable with itself” again and companies prepare to make “brave decisions”. Martin Lovegrove, a former adviser to BP and Chevron Corporation, has teamed up with Niels Kirk, a former oil and gas banker at Citi to form an advisory [...]
Melrose takeover of GKN: “Nothing patriotic” about blocking deal, MPs are warned April 13, 2018 Politicians have been told not to meddle in Melrose’s controversial takeover of British engineering giant GKN. Shareholders, not MPs, should decide how to run their businesses, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) urged in a report published today. Industrial turnaround specialist Melrose appeared to have prevailed at the end of March, securing the backing of [...]
Sugar tax a ‘cynical revenue raising device’ that will hit the UK’s poorest hardest April 5, 2018 The sugar tax is “poorly-designed”, “paternalistic” and “cynical”, according to two major think tanks. Once it is introduced tomorrow (Friday 6 April), consumers will have to pay up to 24p extra per litre for their fizzy drink fix. The government hopes that the levy will reduce obesity by making shoppers think twice before purchasing unhealthy [...]
The material consequences of choosing sustainable fashion April 29, 2019 The textile industry – primarily the business of cloth and clothing – produces close to 100 million tonnes of fibres every year. This number is only set to grow as purchasing power in emerging markets rises. The industry – and its growth – has huge consequences for the environment and climate change, producing some 1.2 [...]