Boris Johnson cannot afford to take the confidence of businesses for granted with Brexit approaching
The government and firms will need to show that all the deal activity we are told is coming actually delivers for society as well as shareholders
What I think
Jobs, Work and Business
Britain needs a sophisticated, multitrack approach to ensure new technologies are used for the common good at home and abroad
Britain needs a sophisticated, multitrack approach to ensure these new technologies are used for the common good at home and abroad
Government grovelling over food standards to try and secure US trade deal
Reports from a leaked document state that the Department for International Trade will try to lower the UK’s food standards to secure a trade deal with the United States. The promises made by Boris Johnson and the Conservative Government that the UK would have a whole host of trade deals in place by Brexit day
Government flailing no-deal preparation shows scale of Brexit crisis
Following the Liberal Democrats forcing the government to release the figures that showed only three in ten businesses who export to the EU had registered for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, HMRC have today announced they will be automatically enrolling companies in an attempt to prepare for Brexit. In a no-deal Brexit,
Tory Brexit plans crashing the UK economy
Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that the UK gross domestic product is estimated to have fallen by 0.2% in Q2 (April-June) 2019. Growth in the services sector output slowed to 0.1% in Quarter 2 2019. The production sector contracted by 1.4% in Q2 2019, providing the largest downward contribution to
Government forced to publish data showing less than 3 in 10 UK exporters are prepared for ‘no deal’ Brexit
New data obtained by the Liberal Democrats from HM Treasury shows less than 3 in 10 exporters to the EU are ready for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. Figures suggest most will not be ready until the beginning of 2021. In a no-deal Brexit, businesses that currently only trade with EU countries will need to apply
BoE confirms any form of Brexit increases recession risk
In its quarterly inflation report, published today, the Bank of England has warned that even with the smoothest possible Brexit there is a 1/3 chance of a UK recession. Also published today, the IHS Markit PMI for UK Manufacturing showed that production in the sector fell to its lowest in seven years. Today the Bank
Sajid Javid must end the Tory agenda benefiting the 1%
Following the appointment of Sajid Javid as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I have written a letter calling on him to protect the British economy from Brexit and to ensure it works for all Britons, not just the richest. The letter sent to Sajid Javid last night is as follows: Dear Sajid, Congratulations on your appointment
Boris Johnson’s Brexit already damaging British business
The Industrial Trends Survey published today by the CBI, shows that UK manufacturing output fell at the fastest pace since the financial crisis. Boris Johnson talks about the need for a ‘can do’ attitude but by pursuing a ‘no deal’ Brexit he is asking British businesses to run up a down escalator – which makes
Tory economic incompetence will cost our public coffers billions
The Public Sector Finances bulletin, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, shows that public sector net borrowing in June 2019 was £7.2 billion – £3.8 billion higher than in June 2018 and the largest June deficit since 2015. In his Spring Statement in March, the Chancellor said the Government would borrow £29.3
OBR report shows No Deal Brexit would be unforgivable
This morning, the Office for Budget Responsibility published its Fiscal Risks Report, revealing that the UK will enter a recession if it leaves the EU without a deal. Britain has a dysfunctional economy that stops people getting on and living a happy, secure life. It would be unforgivable to heap further stress and anxiety on