As the world descends into global chaos, the United States is on the border of disorder February 12, 2016 As the world’s foreign and defence policy elite descend on the Bavarian capital for this weekend’s 52nd annual Munich Security Conference participants and observers are likely to ask: Where are the Americans? True, the congressional delegation is strong, with a dozen or so senators and representatives making the trip. But apart from secretary of state [...]
Business groups doubt new equality pay tables February 12, 2016 Leading business groups have questioned the wisdom of new government proposals designed to fix the gender pay gap. The government has today unveiled plans for a national league table to shame employers that are failing to close gaps, as well as forcing up to 8,000 employers to publish how many women and men are in [...]
Ministry of Justice to close 10 London courts, including Richmond-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court and Hammersmith County Court, by 2017 as it shuts a total of 86 across the country February 11, 2016 Just shy of 90 underused courts will close across the country, including 10 in London, following the conclusion of a Ministry of Justice consultation today. The Ministry originally opened a consultation on the provision of court and tribunal estate last July to review the fate of 91 courts and tribunals. It considered over 2,000 responses [...]
EU referendum: Senior Conservative MP presses chancellor George Osborne to “clear up important questions” around the draft EU negotiation proposals February 11, 2016 Ahead of next week's European Council summit a senior Conservative MP has pressed chancellor George Osborne to "clear up important questions" arising from elements of the draft reform proposals. "There is a lot at stake in these negotiations. They could offer gains for the UK, but a lot of important and detailed questions need to be answered [...]
Google UK tax: Public Accounts Committee grilled Matt Brittin and HMRC over so-called sweetheart tax deal, as the tech giant argues that it pays a 19 per cent corporation tax rate on average worldwide February 11, 2016 Representatives from Google have defended the technology company's various subsidiaries in so-called tax havens in a hearing with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), pointing out that the company paid corporation tax at an average rate of 19 per cent worldwide. Matt Brittin, president of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa, remarked that having a branch in Bermuda, despite the company having [...]
Pro-Heathrow group sends Valentine’s Day message to “commitment-phobe” Prime Minister David Cameron February 11, 2016 Pro-Heathrow expansion group Back Heathrow is hoping to find love this Valentine's day from Prime Minister David Cameron, sending him a romantic message urging him to "make a commitment" to Heathrow. The message is from a "busy west London airport, well-built, popular, looking for a commitment (to a third runway), hoping "David Cameron will make my [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Can the stock market predict who is going to be the next President? February 11, 2016 The big wins in the New Hampshire primaries by candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders reflects the general discontent the US currently has. This is also mirrored in the stock market and suggests the potential for a big appetite for change come November. Stock prices reflect a number of forces including economic, earnings and interest [...]
EU referendum: Why Brexit is threatening Britain’s SME exporters February 11, 2016 As the economy gains momentum, the UK’s 4.9m SMEs are looking to capitalise on this growth, casting their net beyond our shores to fulfil their business growth ambitions through exporting. However, RSA’s recent study found that these businesses are hitting a BRIC wall; they have huge ambitions to access exporting opportunities in emerging and growth economies, [...]
US Presidential Election: Carly Fiorina suspends campaign for Republican candidacy in 2016 White House race after poor showing in New Hampshire primary February 10, 2016 Carly Fiorina has suspended her campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination ahead of this year's US Presidential Election. Fiorina was previously chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, and in 2009-2010 ran as a Republican candidate for the California Senate but was defeated by Democrat Barbara Boxer. She was also a senior adviser to Republican Party Presidential candidate John McCain in the 2008 race. "While I [...]
Google UK tax row: Here’s what you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee hearing on corporate tax deals February 10, 2016 At 10am tomorrow, representatives from Google and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will face the unenviable task of talking tax deals with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Before it kicks off, here's our quick guide of what you need to know: HMRC I understand, but why are Google being brought in on this? The PAC undoubtedly [...]
