Political News
China resisting US demands on digital trade, FT reports
Beijing is refusing to budge on one of several remaining obstacles to resolving its trade spat with Washington, America's demand that it ease its curbs on digital trade.
City pessimism sinks to 2008 financial crisis levels
The mood in the City of London is deteriorated at the sharpest pace since the financial crisis a decade ago, the Confederation of British Industry has revealed.
EU takes control of Brexit date as May flounders at summit
Theresa May lost control of the Brexit departure date on Thursday as EU leaders agreed a short postponement despite an appeal for a three month delay from the British prime minister.
Business and unions call for May to change course on Brexit
Britain's employers and unions have called on Theresa May to abandon her uncompromising stance and seek consensus to avoid a “reckless” no-deal Brexit, while European Union leaders convened to decide on her request for an extension.
Government borrowing falls to 17-year low
UK government borrowing fell to a 17-year low for the financial year so far, supporting improved official forecasts and giving the chancellor room to ease the strain on public services.
May blames MPs for Brexit delay in attempt to sway public
UK Prime Minister Theresa May infuriated MPs when she blamed them for the delay to Brexit in a blatant and risky attempt to turn public opinion against parliament.
EU will only grant Brexit extension if May wins MPs approval - Tusk
Theresa May's request for a short Article 50 delay got a cold shoulder from European Union counterparts on Wednesday, while Parliament held an emergency Brexit debate.
Pound plunges as EU rebuffs May's call for short Brexit delay
Theresa May on Wednesday told the House of Commons that she is "not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30 June" but reports leaking from the European Union suggested otherwise.
Dutch coalition government may lose Senate majority to eurosceptics
Holland's coalition government is at risk of losing its Senate majority in provincial elections due to be held on Wednesday evening as the Eurosceptic Forum for Democracy climbs in the polls.
UK manufacturers report lower output
Manufacturing output weakened in March, as Brexit uncertainty continued to weigh heavily on the sector.
Brexit: May will write to Tusk to request extension
Theresa May will write to European Council president Donald Tusk to request a delay to the Brexit deadline, Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
Brexit: Speaker rules out third meaningful vote
Theresa May cannot bring her Brexit deal back for a third 'meaningful vote', the House of Commons speaker ruled on Monday, sending the pound plummeting again.
Brexit: Pound slides on doubts over No10's prospect of success
Currency markets were pessimistic on Monday that Theresa May can pull a Brexit rabbit from the hat as she tries to bring sceptical backbenchers and Northern Ireland’s DUP round to supporting her exit deal.
EU trade surplus with US rises to more than €11bn
The European Union’s trade surplus with the United States continued to rise in January, further underlining tensions between Brussels and Washington.
UK businesses cut growth expectations
The British Chambers of Commerce trimmed its growth expectations for the UK economy due to the continued Brexit uncertainty.
UK universal basic income possible at 2010 spending levels - think tank
Universal basic income could be achieved in the UK at the same level of benefit spending seen in 2010, according to a report from the Compass think tank.
Tories meet DUP to nail down support for Brexit deal
The UK government is locked in talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to seek backing for Theresa May's Brexit plan ahead of a third 'meaningful vote' next Tuesday.
Brexiter MPs reject Cox's backstop get-out clause
Eurosceptics in parliament have rejected attorney general Geoffrey Cox’ latest legal advice on the Irish backstop, which was updated in order to try and finally get a divorce deal through parliament.
Deutsche Bank stays neutral on European shares as political risks fade
Strategists at Deutsche Bank stuck to their 'neutral' view for European stocks, despite their being overvalued, arguing that a US-China trade truce and shift towards a Brexit deal would sustain the 'overshoot' in valuations versus their estimate of fair value.
Kim Jong Un may halt nuclear negotiations with 'gangster-like' US
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is close to deciding whether to halt denuclearisation talks with the US after President Donald Trump walked away from negotiations in February, according to a North Korean diplomat.