Former DUP leader Ian Paisley dies aged 88 September 12, 2014 The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Ian Paisley, died this morning aged 88. In a statement, Baroness Paisley said: Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family, we are heartbroken. We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed. A controversial figure Paisley [...]
Will Scotland vote yes? Latest independence poll suggests it’s too close to call September 12, 2014 The latest poll on Scottish independence is out, and it makes the race too close to call. The ICM poll conducted for the Guardian puts the No campaign ahead on 51 per cent, but Yes Scotland is only two percentage points behind on 49 per cent, once don't knows were excluded. The poll will provide [...]
English devolution: Clegg backs “decentralisation decade” as Scots prepare for independence vote September 12, 2014 As the debate over Scottish independence rages on and the Better Together campaign promises more powers to Holyrood, English voters have started asking whether any of this great decentralisation of power will ever be coming their way. Well, it will be if Nick Clegg has anything to say about it. Today, the deputy prime minister [...]
Scottish independence referendum: IMF warns Yes vote could hit financial markets September 12, 2014 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has weighed into the debate on Scottish independence warning there could be significant market uncertainty if Scots vote to leave the union. IMF spokesman William Murray said: The main immediate effect is likely to be uncertainty over the transition to potentially new and different monetary, financial and fiscal frameworks in [...]
Scottish independence: Former Sainsbury’s boss warns of higher prices if there’s a Yes vote September 12, 2014 In a fresh blow for the pro-independence campaign, the former CEO of Sainsbury's Justin King has warned Scots they will pay higher prices in the shops if they vote to abandon the union of 18 September. Speaking to the BBC's Robert Peston, King said: It is more expensive to do business in Scotland today. Business [...]
Uber Germany: Frankfurt court issues first injunction against taxi app driver September 11, 2014 Uber has suffered a fresh blow in Germany after a Frankfurt taxi operator won a temporary injunction against an Uber partner driver. The driver will no longer be able to offer services through the taxi app and was punished with a €1,000 fine. Furthermore, the driver could face a €250,000 fine or a six-month jail [...]
Independent Scotland faces “disaster”, says Harvard’s Kenneth Rogoff September 11, 2014 As the latest polls give breathing space to the Better Together campaign, Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff has thrown his two cents into the Scottish independence debate. His remarks will make grim reading for the Yes camp. Speaking to CNBC, Rogoff said: "It's certainly a disaster for Scotland, first and foremost, it's going to be a [...]
Scottish independence: RBS confirms plan to move to England if there’s a Yes vote September 11, 2014 The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has confirmed it will re-domicile to England if the Scots vote to abandon the United Kingdom on 18 September. In a statement issued this morning RBS said: RBS has undertaken contingency planning for the possible business implications of a 'Yes' vote. RBS believes that this is the responsible and [...]
Scottish independence: How a Yes vote would “markedly lower” GDP growth September 10, 2014 With the polls tightening and the possibility of a break-up of the United Kingdom looking ever more credible, politicians and investors are weighing up the possible consequences of a Yes vote. Axa Investment Managers has released a research note examining the economic aftermath for the remaining part of the UK in the event of a [...]
Scottish independence: Oil giant BP backs the Union September 10, 2014 BP has become the latest FTSE 100 company to nail its colours to the mast and argue for a No vote in Scotland's independence referendum on September 18. BP's declaration comes shortly after Sir Ian Wood, the former chief executive of Wood Group, warned voters they were being misled by wildly inaccurate forecasts about Scotland's [...]