Politics

Economic worries, Brexit uncertainty and the trade war between the US and China saw the FTSE 100 tumble by 12.5 per cent during 2018, wiping out more than £240 billion off shareholder value. The blue-chip index of top UK shares ended the year at 6,728 points, down from 7,687 on the last trading day of 2017. The sell-off has inflicted significant losses on pension funds, major fund managers and small investors alike. Shares in major house builders fell sharply amid...

A dredger from the Netherlands was put to work in Ramsgate yesterday as preparations for the ferry company with no ferries were put in place. The Dutch dredger was spotted clearing rubbish, weeds and excess mud at the Kent site to prepare for potential extra freight trade crossings. Seaborne Freight is seeking to reopen Ramsgate-Ostend service, although it is yet to operate a scheduled ferry service. In fact, the firm is so small it qualifies as a small enterprise so...

Leading economists have warned Brexit will be either ‘bad or awful’ for UK prospects in 2019 with damage likely to be inflicted even if Britain manages to avoid a disorderly Brexit. The UK can expect no more than 1.5 per cent economic growth over the next year in the best case scenario, according to a Financial Times survey. Nina Skero, head of macroeconomics at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said that whatever its long-term effects, “in 2019, Brexit...

UK companies in the manufacturing and service sector have indicated that they are struggling to recruit skilled staff because of uncertainty around Britain's future with the European Union.  Brexit has been blamed as 81 per cent of manufacturers and 70 per cent of service sector firms report difficulties recruiting the right skilled staff for their organisations. At the same time they are being hit with rising costs and a reduction in sales. This perfect storm could send many businesses to...

“Currently if people come here and claim asylum and it is found they claimed asylum in another EU country they can be returned to that EU country. If we are out of the Dublin Agreement we would be out of that.”

Ex-Pm David Cameron is not allowed in Parliament after he forget to renew his pass.  There are 416 names on the most recent list of ex-MPs who have parliamentary passes giving them special access Parliament, including cheap drinks in the infamous Strangers Bar. The list is similar to the previous version but with one notable name missing - David Cameron is no longer on it. He was on the June list but not the October version. Former MPs are entitled...

New analysis has revealed that the same private rail companies that are putting fares up by 3.1 per cent today have paid out over £1 billion in dividends to shareholders in the last six years. The TUC finding show that there has been significant payouts by private firms running British rail networks, despite punctuality hitting a 13-year low. Rail fares have increased by 36 per cent since 2010 as train companies rake in huge profits to pay inflated dividends. At the...

There has been widespread public outcry after a shipping contract was handed out to a company, with no ships or experience of running a shipping line, in no Brexit deal scenario.  Transport Secretary Chris Grayling claimed it was fine to hand out the £13million contract because "it's a new start-up business" He said it was "no problem" despite Seaborne Freight being expected to run emergency ferries if there's no deal over Brexit and would be running essential services to keep...

A poll has indicated that Labour members overwhelmingly back a second vote over leaving the EU. 72 per cent of the 1,000 people polled are hoping Corbyn backs a ‘People’s Vote.’ In terms of Labour voters 57 per cent want him to push for a second poll. Additionally, close to a quarter (23 percent) of Labour members attributed Mr Corbyn's failure to back a second referendum to a belief that he supports leaving the European project. The survey also found that...