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The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank for the eurozone, which consists of 19 European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency. The ECB’s main task is to maintain price stability in the eurozone. It does this by setting interest rates and by buying and selling government bonds. The ECB also plays a role in supervising the banking system in the eurozone.
The ECB was established in 1998, and its headquarters are in Frankfurt, Germany. The ECB is governed by a Governing Council, which consists of the President of the ECB, the Vice-President, and the governors of the national central banks of the eurozone countries.
The ECB is an independent institution, meaning that it is not subject to political control. The ECB’s independence is enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The ECB’s main objective is to maintain price stability in the eurozone. This means that the ECB aims to keep inflation low and stable. The ECB sets interest rates in order to achieve its objective of price stability.
The ECB also plays a role in supervising the banking system in the eurozone. The ECB is responsible for ensuring that banks in the eurozone are safe and sound. The ECB does this by carrying out regular inspections of banks and by setting rules for banks to follow.
The ECB is an important institution in the European Union. It plays a key role in maintaining price stability in the eurozone and in supervising the banking system.
The recent delay in central bank responses to the evolving economic environment has far-reaching consequences, impacting businesses of all sizes and sectors globally. Here are 12 reasons why this inaction is detrimental to your company’s success, regardless of location:
1. Eroding Consumer Confidence: Consumers are the lifeblood of most businesses. When economic uncertainty lingers, people tighten their belts and delay purchases. This translates to a decline in demand, impacting your sales and revenue. Delays in interest rate adjustments or stimulus measures leave consumers in a wait-and-see mode, hindering economic growth.
2. Planning Paralysis: Businesses rely on economic forecasts to make strategic decisions regarding investments, hiring, and expansion. A lack of clear direction from central banks creates an environment of ambiguity, making it difficult to confidently plan for the future. This leads to missed opportunities and hinders long-term growth prospects.
3. Investment Chill: When interest rates remain high for an extended period, it discourages investment. Businesses become hesitant to borrow for expansion or innovation due to the perceived risk. This stagnant investment environment stifles economic dynamism and job creation, ultimately hurting your bottom line by limiting growth opportunities within your market.
4. Supply Chain Disruptions: Central bank inaction can exacerbate existing supply chain issues. Unforeseen inflation or currency fluctuations can disrupt the smooth flow of goods and raw materials. This can lead to shortages, price hikes, and production delays, impacting your ability to meet customer demands and maintain profitability.
5. Eroding Business Confidence: Just like consumers, businesses also lose confidence when the economic outlook is unclear. This can lead to a reluctance to take risks, invest in new ventures, or expand into new markets. This stagnant environment stifles innovation and hinders the growth of businesses like yours.
6. Currency Volatility: Inaction can lead to increased currency volatility. This uncertainty makes it difficult for businesses engaged in international trade to plan effectively. Unforeseen fluctuations can lead to losses on foreign transactions and make it challenging to price products competitively in the global market.
7. Increased Borrowing Costs: When central banks finally react to out of control inflation by increasing interest rates, borrowing costs increase. This can make it more expensive for businesses to access capital for essential operations like expansion, inventory purchases, or equipment upgrades.
8. Labour Market Uncertainty: Delayed action on inflation can create an environment of wage-price spirals. As inflation rises, workers demand higher wages to maintain their purchasing power. Businesses struggling with rising costs may hesitate to meet these demands, leading to labour unrest and impacting productivity.
9. Eroding Brand Trust: Businesses operating in an unstable economic environment risk losing consumer trust. Frequent price fluctuations, product availability issues, and disruptions in service delivery can damage brand reputation. This can lead to a decline in customer loyalty and market share.
10. Difficulty Attracting Talent: Top talent seeks stability and career growth opportunities. In a volatile economic environment, skilled workers are more likely to stay put at their current jobs or look for opportunities in more stable sectors. This can make it difficult to attract and retain the best talent, hindering your ability to compete effectively.
11. Heightened Risk of Recession: Delayed responses to economic instability can increase the risk of a recession. Unchecked inflation, coupled with rising interest rates, can dampen consumer spending and business investment, leading to a downward economic spiral. A recessionary environment is detrimental to all businesses, regardless of size or sector.
12. Global Economic Interdependence: Today’s world is increasingly interconnected. Economic events in one region can have ripple effects across the globe. When central banks delay action, it creates uncertainty that transcends national borders and disrupts global trade and investment flows. This interconnectedness means your business, even if operating domestically, can be impacted by economic instability originating elsewhere.
Diversify Your Markets and Products: Reduce your dependence on any single market or product segment. Look for opportunities to expand into new markets or develop new products and services that cater to evolving customer needs.
Build Strong Customer Relationships: Foster trust and loyalty by prioritising customer satisfaction. Build a strong brand reputation that resonates with your target audience.
Invest in Efficiency: Continuously evaluate your operations and identify areas for cost-cutting. Streamline processes and leverage technology to improve resource allocation and productivity.
Develop Strong Financial Reserves: Maintain a healthy cash flow and build a financial buffer to weather economic storms. This allows you to make strategic investments even during periods of uncertainty.
Communicate Transparently: Keep your stakeholders informed about your business strategy and how you are navigating the economic environment. Transparency builds trust and confidence, attracting talent and investors.
Advocate for Stable Economic Policy: Businesses have a voice. Engage with policymakers and industry associations to advocate for proactive and responsible economic management by central banks.
Conclusion
Central banks play a critical role in fostering a stable and predictable economic environment. Their delayed reactions to changing conditions can have a ripple effect, impacting businesses of all sizes and sectors globally. By understanding the challenges posed by central bank inaction and adopting proactive strategies, businesses can build resilience and navigate this uncertain landscape. Remember, a proactive business is a prepared business, better equipped to weather economic storms and seize opportunities even in a volatile marketplace. The path to success may be less clear, but with agility,strategic planning, and a focus on long-term sustainability, your business can thrive despite the delayed dance of central banks.
Once again central banks in USA, EU and UK have been too slow to react and when they do they’ll be too late and overreact perpetuating our economic boom bust cycle
The Looming Storm: Declining Inflation, Rising Recession Risk in 2024
While headlines tout slowing inflation in the US, EU, and UK, a shadow lurks beneath the surface. Contrary to popular belief, this seemingly positive development may in fact be a harbinger of imminent recession in 2024. Understanding why requires peeling back the layers of economic realities and acknowledging the nuanced interplay between inflation, monetary policy, and economic behaviour.
From Scorching to Smoldering: The Inflation Slowdown Narrative
Over the past year, inflationary flames have licked across global economies, driven by pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, soaring energy prices, and fiscal stimulus packages. Central banks, armed with the blunt instrument of interest rate hikes, sought to tamp down the heat. And indeed, recent data reflects a cooling trend. US inflation has dipped from a peak of 9.1% in June 2023, with similar softening observed in the EU and UK.
This downward trajectory has fueled a wave of optimism. Policymakers and pundits alike herald the successful execution of monetary tightening, envisioning a soft landing for the global economy. Some even predict inflation returning to target levels within the year.
Beneath the Surface: The Cracks in the Facade
However, this rosy outlook rests on shaky ground. The disinflationary trend, while seemingly positive, can also be a potent predictor of impending recession. Let’s explore the three key reasons why:
1. Demand Destruction, Not Harmony: Declining inflation is often achieved through demand destruction. Rising interest rates make borrowing more expensive, impacting both businesses and consumers. Business investment slows, hiring freezes become commonplace, and consumer spending weakens as disposable income shrinks. This domino effect ultimately saps economic activity, paving the way for recession.
2. The Lag Effect’s Looming Bite: Monetary policy operates with a time lag. Today’s interest rate hikes primarily impact economic activity months down the line. This means the full force of recent tightening may not be felt until 2024, potentially triggering a sudden and sharp economic downturn just as policymakers believe they’ve tamed the inflation beast.
3. Stagflationary Spectre : The disinflationary process carries the risk of morphing into stagflation, a nightmare scenario characterised by stagnant economic growth and persistent, albeit lower, inflation. This arises when businesses, burdened by higher input costs, maintain price hikes even as demand weakens. Such a scenario would severely constrain central banks’ ability to respond, trapping the economy in a quagmire.
A Perfect Storm Brewing in 2024:
Considering these factors, 2024 appears primed for a perfect economic storm. The lagged effects of aggressive interest rate hikes are likely to coincide with continued geopolitical uncertainties, energy price volatility, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. This potent cocktail could push vulnerable economies over the edge, plunging them into recession despite disinflationary trends.
Evidence Mounts, The Case Strengthens:
Empirical evidence further substantiates this gloomy outlook. Leading economic indicators, such as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and consumer confidence surveys, are already flashing red. Business investment has plateaued, and layoffs are increasing across various sectors. Additionally, inverted yield curves, historically reliable recession predictors, have emerged in all three economies, signaling heightened investor anxiety about future economic prospects.
A Call to Action: Navigating the Coming Storm
The potential for a 2024 recession demands immediate and proactive action. Policymakers must adopt a nuanced approach, acknowledging the dual threat of inflation and recession. Continued, albeit calibrated, interest rate hikes may still be necessary to tame inflation, but fiscal measures aimed at supporting vulnerable populations and stimulating aggregate demand become crucial (boom to bust ie bailing out financial system again. Open communication with the public, emphasising transparent risk assessment and contingency plans, is also essential to maintain confidence and mitigate potential financial panic.
Individuals and businesses, too, must brace themselves for turbulent times. Building robust financial buffers, diversifying investments, and exercising prudence in spending decisions are key to weathering the storm.
Conclusion: The Coming Recession – Not a Certainty, But a Clear and Present Danger
While declining inflation may initially appear as a victory, it can mask a deeper malaise. In the context of current economic vulnerabilities and aggressive monetary tightening, the disinflationary trend in the US, EU, and UK presents a significant risk of recession in 2024. Ignoring this risk would be akin to celebrating a pyre’s dimming flames while neglecting the smoldering embers beneath. By acknowledging the impending danger and taking decisive action, policymakers and individuals alike can navigate the coming storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
Understand the growing threat of financial collapse
The Dangers to Businesses and People from Eurozone Bank Stress and Loan Defaults: An Expert Perspective
The Eurozone banking sector is facing a number of challenges, including rising interest rates, slowing economic growth, and increased loan defaults. These factors are putting stress on banks’ balance sheets and making it more difficult for them to lend to businesses and consumers. If these trends continue, they could lead to a financial crisis that would have severe consequences for businesses and people across the Eurozone.
The Impact of Eurozone Bank Stress on Businesses
Businesses rely on banks to provide them with the credit they need to operate and grow. When banks are under stress, they are more likely to tighten lending standards and raise interest rates. This can make it difficult for businesses to get the loans they need to invest in new equipment, hire new employees, and expand their operations. As a result, businesses may be forced to cut back on their spending, which can lead to slower economic growth and job losses.
In addition, businesses that are unable to obtain loans from banks may turn to riskier forms of financing, such as borrowing from high-interest lenders or taking on more debt. This can increase their financial risk and make them more vulnerable to economic downturns.
The Impact of Eurozone Bank Stress on People
People also rely on banks for a variety of financial services, such as checking and savings accounts, mortgages, and auto loans. When banks are under stress, they may reduce their hours of operation, close branches, and increase fees. This can make it more difficult for people to access the financial services they need.
In addition, if banks are forced to raise interest rates, this will make it more expensive for people to borrow money. This could lead to an increase in household debt and make it more difficult for people to make ends meet.
The Dangers of Loan Defaults
Loan defaults are a major concern for banks because they can significantly erode their capital. When a borrower defaults on a loan, the bank loses the money it lent out, and it may also have to pay legal fees and other expenses to collect the debt. This can quickly eat into the bank’s capital, which is the money it needs to operate and withstand financial shocks.
If banks are not able to maintain adequate capital levels, they may be forced to reduce their lending activities or even go bankrupt. This would have a devastating impact on the economy, as it would make it even more difficult for businesses and consumers to get the credit they need.
Policy Options to Address Eurozone Bank Stress
There are a number of policy options that could be taken to address Eurozone bank stress and reduce the risk of loan defaults. These include:
Providing additional regulatory capital relief to banks: This would help banks to build up their capital buffers and make them more resilient to financial shocks.
Encouraging banks to securitise their loans: Securitisation is a process of pooling loans together and selling them to investors as securities. This can help banks to reduce their exposure to individual borrowers and spread out their risk.
Implementing stricter lending standards: This would help to ensure that banks are only lending to borrowers who are able to repay their loans.
Improving the quality of credit data: This would help banks to make better lending decisions and reduce the risk of loan defaults.
Conclusion
Eurozone bank stress and loan defaults pose a significant threat to businesses and people across the Eurozone. If these trends continue, they could lead to a financial crisis that would have severe consequences. Policymakers need to take action to address these challenges and reduce the risk of a financial crisis.
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Do not tar Lloyds bank with the same toxic brush of the UK banking industry
People think Lloyds bank is a big bad bank that was part of the financial crisis of 2008. Lloyds bank was in fact one of the hero’s of the financial crisis. Lloyds bank saved the Halifax brand including the Bank Of Scotland whose executives were the real baddies along with the Royal Bank of Scotland now Natwest. By saving the Halifax plc group of bank brands it helped stop the implosion of the UK economy.
If Lloyds bank had not stepped in when it did, Halifax plc group of bank brands would have collapsed and a major domino would have irreparably damaged the UK economy. If we thought it was bad economically with austerity and job losses in UK, without Lloyd’s intervention to takeover Halifax plc it would have been catastrophic. Anarchy on the streets would have resulted and the UK would have entered a period of lifespan that would have been worse than World War 2. We came back economically after Word War 2. If Lloyd’s bank had not stepped in the UK would be more like Venezuela now.
From the financial crisis Lloyds Bank has tried hard to make matters worse including but not limited to PPI scandal where more than £20 billion pounds worth of shareholder value was destroyed. Incompetent greedy executives poorly directed employees to make repeated missteps post financial crisis 2008 to make matters worse. Added to this Lloyds bank has had to manage the risks from external sources including Brexit and Covid-19 pandemic.
However Lloyds bank is now very far from the perceived bad bank it had become. Prior to the 2008 financial crisis Lloyds bank was a boring bank. Investors loved the fact it was a traditional boring bank. It’s share price was £6 plus and it paid out relatively gigantic dividends every year to support pension funds, pensioners and other investors. Lloyds bank had no choice but to take over basket case Halifax plc. If Lloyds bank did not takeover Halifax plc basket of bank brands it is likely that Lloyd’s bank would have collapsed due to the domino effect. As Halifax plc and Royal Bank of Scotland folded they would have swamped the position of Lloyds bank as the UK economy went into a nosedive it is unlikely to have recovered from for many decades, if ever.
The only positive for Lloyds bank’s takeover of Halifax plc bank brands is that in all other circumstances Lloyds bank would never have been allowed to takeover Halifax plc by the UK competition authorities. Lloyds would have become too powerful in the marketplace. As it is, the only real risk to Lloyds bank is that it could be broken up as it is too dominant in for example the mortgage market.
Lloyds is the biggest player in the UK mortgage market. In a marketplace where the UK housing market is booming a share price of less than £0.45 is a joke!
Lloyds bank has come through the PPI scandal. Having destroyed shareholder value in the past, the laws have been changed to largely cap any future payouts under the PPI heading.
Brexit has now happened. Whether this is good or bad for the UK economy depends on which half of the UK adult population stand on Brexit. What is perhaps clear is that if it is going to impact negatively on the UK business community it is not going to be catastrophic. It may even been hugely beneficial to UK businesses. Lloyds bank will not be significantly impacted negatively by Brexit and may be impacted on the positive side.
The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. However the UK vaccination programme and its likely adaptation to combat virus variations means the UK economy is now through the worst. The only question is how good will the future be? Lloyds bank can easily navigate the future risks if, as it has done, navigated the worst of the pandemic in the UK.
Another enterprise risk management article looks at the UK economy as a whole in the spring of 2021. Essentially most things point to exceptional UK economic growth through 2021 and 2022. Lloyds bank is perhaps uniquely placed to take advantage of any such economic growth. Its strategy is based on making money from UK consumer and UK business confidence and growth, both of which are at record all time highs.
If interest rates rise it will give all banks more opportunities to be profitable. With UK interest rate at record low of 0.1 percent banks will win from interest rate rises. Interest rates are not going to go negative.
Unemployment in UK is a key threat to UK banks. However many predict the UK unemployment is not going to be any way near as bad as was feared due to pandemic. Indeed if the vaccination roll out continues as hoped, unemployment rates are likely to be slightly above pre-pandemic levels. Certainly not at levels that would threaten Lloyds bank profit.
Lloyds bank has comparatively high profit margin compared to many UK banks so is more protected from downside risks.
UK consumers have paid off debt and saved more during the pandemic. When their spending power is fully unleashed on the UK economy post June 2021 the UK is going to see an economic growth not experienced since post World War 2 period. Lloyds bank is ideally placed via mortgage and non-mortgage lending to take advantage of this revitalisation of UK economy.
Lloyds bank was never the bad bank. It had to takeover the greedy and incompetent at Halifax plc. During that process it has had to manage internal and external risk drivers. It is likely that Lloyds bank’s worst days are behind it. Lloyds bank would have to work really hard to screw up its current opportunities for exponential growth.
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19th March 2020 Fishing Is Symbolic Of Taking Back Control
Many people perhaps most people in the city of London would happily sacrifice fishing rights to maintain financial services rights in Brexit negotiations.
Economically the fishing industry produces are 3 percent of UK economic output. Financial services produces many time that. The scales of economic sensibility suggest that it would be better for the UK economically to support the city of London.
However this is slightly misguided. The UK produces so little from fishing industry because of European Union quotas decimating the number of UK fishing boats. The UK could increase growth from fishing by increasing more boats in the fishing industry.
However the UK fishing industry will never overpower the economic sense of supporting financial services over the fishing industry.
The UK government must not submit to pressures to allow the same access to UK fishing areas. UK fishing industry should be rewarded for its support of Brexit. There can be ways of increasing income even with tariffs on UK fish products. Countries like Norway and Iceland can make it work.
Socially and democratically even with some economic detriment the UK government must support the UK fishing industry. Yes EU boats must have rights to fish in UK waters but rights to fish for UK fishing boats must be significantly increased at the end of 2020. Democracy is more important than economic prosperity.
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14th February 2020 With The Departure Of The Chancellor The Last Significant Remainer Forced Out Of UK Government
With the UK Chancellor resignation yesterday Boris Johnson has purged his government of the last significant block on a no deal Brexit. The European Union EU must now know it must do a fair deal with the UK or face no deal Brexit at the end of 2020.
The UK is now closer to a no deal Brexit than it ever has been.
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With the next UK budget in March expected to open the spending taps to new infrastructure and an uplift in government investment the UK will be better prepared for a no deal Brexit than it ever has.
It is likely that the UK will face face short term economic bumps from no deal Brexit but the length of the disruption will depend on how well the UK plans for its future outside the EU.
Prepare your business for all eventualities with our Brexit Marketplace.
20th December 2019 German Economy Saved From Recession By Brexit
A clear programme for progress on Brexit has helped Germany avoid a recession according to Germany Economy Minister Peter Altmaier in remarks published on Friday.
Although there could yet be a no deal Brexit at the end of 2020 if the EU and UK do not agree a deal during transition period at least German businesses know with certainty that the UK is leaving the European Union.
Germany still faces a potential trade war with USA as part of European Union. The UK will look to strike a free trade deal with USA that would avoid any trade war between USA and EU.
12th December 2019 Exit Poll Suggest Conservative Party Majority For Brexit Majority
30th October 2019 Brexit Not Resolved Yet Vauxhall Vans Commit To UK Van Production
Vauxhall announces further commitment to automotive production in UK regardless of Brexit outcome. Next generation of Vivaro vans will be built in Luton.
23rd October 2019 Still Most Likely That Brexit Deal Will Pass But After A Brexit Extension
Ex Tory MPs who lost the whip would not be able to stand as Tory candidates at the next General Election if Boris Johnson gets a General Election now. The exTory MPs that blocked Brexit on 31st October 2019 with their Surrender Act presumably will want the Whip reinstated if they want to present themselves as a Conservative Party candidate at the next General Election.
An extension to Brexit is unavoidable now due to the application of the Surrender Act. Before it was brought into force in days by MPs intent on blocking Brexit it would have been possible though not guaranteed that Brexit could have been done on the 31st October 2019. Surely Boris Johnson would not take such MPs into a General Election with the Conservative Party?
The most likely outcome at this stage is for the UK parliament to approve Britains Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union. To enable such a legal position to pass it will need more time. An extension is inevitable but it will either be a technical extension to get the Withdrawal Agreement through parliament or an extension to end of January 2020 to enable a General Election to take place.
It is unlikely that the Tory rebels and Labour Remainer MPs will succeed in their attempt to block delayed Brexit. The UK will then hold a General Election.
Ideally the Labour Party leadership probably favour the Conservative Party taking the UK out of the European Union EU and then then suffering the inevitable short term business lifestyle and economy disruption. Labour could then capitalise on that with their policies that would otherwise have been blocked by EU rules and moderate the Brexit achieved by Conservative Party by opting in for a softer Brexit. However we do not live in an ideal world so the Labour Party will probably need to fight the next imminent General Election with a deliberately fuddled Brexit Policy in the hope that its other policies will win over the UK electorate in sufficient numbers to win power.
If the UK gets a General Election the current best bet is that the Conservative Party will run a minority government with a handful of new Brexit Party MPs who have won previously safe Labour Leave voting seats. This will probably mean a no deal Brexit or Brexit based on the deal agreed by Boris Johnson with EU.
9th October 2019 Do Not Let Your Business Be Paralysed By Political Events
Political events can impact negatively or positively on your business. However procrastinating because of Brexit uncertainty or trade war between USA and China and Europe is not good for your business.
By taking the right precautions your business can still make progress towards your business objectives and even speed up successful attainment of objectives.
25th September 2019 Supreme Court Judgement Makes Extension To Brexit Date and General Election In November or December 2019 More Likely
Although not the motivation of the Supreme Court judges the result is that a new Brexit deal before end of October is now impossible. There is no incentive for the European Union EU to make any significant changes until after an election or a referendum.
Although Boris Johnson has said he will not ask for an extension to Brexit he will. He will explain he has done everything possible to exit the EU at end of October. However he will say correctly that the Remainer MPs in UK parliament have to use a Scottish judge word stymied any renegoitation with EU.
The Supreme Court judges judgement has triggered the starting pistil to a UK General Election before the end of 2019 sooner rather than later. Before the judgement there was a slim chance of a new Brexit deal before end of October. Now the only chance is no chance. The door has closed not because of their legal decision but because they were asked to make a decision.
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The Remainer MPs will get their wish of an extension before the election but at the cost that the General Election will be fought on the basis of the People v The Parliament.
Around three quarters of MPs in the UK parliament are Remainer MPs unwilling to take the UK out of the European Union despite the vote of the vote in 2016 to leave.
this Parliament is a disgrace
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox told MPs that current UK parliament is a dead parliament and will is too cowardly to call an election UK Parliament 25th September 2019
Although it will be close it is more likely that Leavers will beat Remainers in the General Election. Whether they will do so in sufficient numbers to make UK parliament governable again is very much in doubt. What is certain is that the UK will now reap the whirlwind of the most vitriolic election campaign ever experienced in UK.
All that we can really hope for is that there is a clear winner before the end of the year as an extension of the current impasse will damage the UK economy.
Perhaps the only good thing to come out the Brexit impasse is that with each day the UK is better prepared for a no deal Brexit should the UK vote for Brexit in the coming General Election. Whether the UK leaves or remains the UK will come out of this impasse for the better economically. How the UK will come out of the impasse socially and culturally will not be known until we look back in 10 years time.
20th September 2019 Next Crucial Period Of Brexit Is Mid October
Assuming the Supreme Court realise that courts should not be meddling with political decisions next week then the UK and Europe face a nervous run up to mid October.
There is increasingly positive mood music coming out of Europe about the prospect of doing a Brexit deal with the UK. It is likely that the Brexit deal will be one that kicks the most difficult parts of the deal towards the end of the decision making process like the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The question from the UKs point of view is will the hardline no deal Brexiteers agree to bend on the deal and will the MPs in the Labour party who have heavy Brexit leaning constituents vote for whatever new deal comes back from the new Brexit negotiations.
The Eurozone is struggling to cope with the global economic downturn on top of its historic issues falling the financial crisis. Of greatest concern is the likely recession in Germany dragging the rest of Eurozone economy down with it.
The UK should leave on the 31st October 2019. The key players in the Brexit negotiations are being pushed into a deal from opposite directions. It has never been truer that both the European Union and the UK need a deal. If the UK parliament does not vote for the new Brexit deal they will reap the wrath they have created.
17th September 2019 Claims That Consumers In UK Are Stockpiling Essential Products Are Found Less
There is no evidence that Britons worried about the possibility of disorderly departure from the European Union EU on 31st October are stockpiling essential products
market researcher Kantar
5th September 2019 Next Key Date On Brexit Is Monday 9th September
UK government has let through bill to stop no deal Brexit. Next Monday the UK government will try again to successfully ask for General Election that will largely be based on Brexit issue.
If the UK government does not successfully bid for a General Election then the Brexit debate will once again lurch out of control in ways that are unclear. However if the UK government successfully receive a General Election on Monday then it will happen on 15th October. The winner will determine if there will be a Brexit or not.
There is a General Election coming. When is uncertain.
4th September 2019 Impact On UK Economy Of No Deal Brexit Reduced
Mark Carney Governor of the Bank of England the UKs central bank which decides on interest rates tells MPs on Treasury Select Committee for UK lawmakers that GDP impact of Brexit has been reduced.
Mark Carney was speaking at todays Treasury Select Committee public meeting.
4th September 2019 Will The UK Have A General Election Before The End Of October 2019?
The current UK Prime Minister wants a General Election on 14th October 2019. He may be prevented from having one by current MPs.
Tomorrow or Friday may be the crucial day on defining whether the UK Prime Minister will be granted a General Election before the end of October 2019.
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The UK Prime Minister will lose the new bill debate today aimed at preventing no deal Brexit. He will try again tomorrow but tomorrow (or Friday) will have lower bar to pass to enable a General Election to happen before the end of October 2019.
The UK will have a General Election before the end of the year but whether it happens before end of October should be decided this week.
1st August 2019 UK VAT Registered Companies Will Be Given A Registration Number In Next Two weeks That Allows EU Customs Authorities To Identify Them
The admin paperwork to continue trading with EU in event of no deal Brexit is called an Economic Operator Registration and Identification EORI number.
UK chancellor Sajid Javid automatic enrolment of VAT registered businesses will help ease the flow of goods at border points and support businesses to trade and grow in event of no deal Brexit.
1st August 2019 Euro Zone Purchasing Managers Index PMI For Manufacturing Firms In July Fell To Lowest Level Since 2012
Many economists in UK say the UKs drop off of manufacturing activity is down to Brexit uncertainty. However eurozone manufacturers drop off in production and indeed global manufacturing production drop off is not down to Brexit uncertainty.
5th July 2019 Jaguar Land Rover JLR Is Investing Hundreds Of Millions Of Pounds To Build A Range Of Electric Vehicles In Castle Bromwich Birmingham
JLR are making plans for the future whether Brexit happens or not. Whether Britain no deal Brexits or leaves with a deal or does not leave European Union EU will not affect many automotive manufacturers strategic decisions to stay in UK.
It is perfectly right for car industry to lobby UK government for the outcome it prefers. However the automotive industry is perfectly robust enough to take on all risk factors to survive and prosper.
In January JLR announced that its new battery making facilities would be located in the Midlands. The new plant will be most technologically advanced in the UK according to JLR.
1st July 2019 NTT Ltd Opens For Business In London At Height Of Brexit Crisis
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation NTT Corporation is one of Japans largest telecom businesses. It has launched its international focused subsidiary NTT Limited and picked London as its global headquarters.
NTT Limited is a merger of NTT Communications Dimension Data and NTT Security into a single business based in London.
NTT Corporation president and CEO Jun Sawada said launching NTT Ltds HQ in London shows its commitment to the UK remains extremely strong.
It demonstrates that Britain will remain a tech leader regardless of whether the UK remains or leaves the European Union EU.
21st May 2019 EU Would Rather Have The UK Pissing Into Tent Now!
The biggest change from the the results of the European Union EU is that the rest of the EU will no longer put up with the UK pissing out of the tent. They will become resigned to and prefer the UK to leave the EU an piss into the tent!
Until the EU elections 2019 UK political leaders thought they could pick and choose when it leaves the EU. Now the rest of the EU leaders will be thinking they do not need such an unruly member.
The UK is unlikely to get an extension beyond end of October 2019 even if it wants one. The EU will get little benefit from amending the deal already negotiated with the UK. The UK is closest to leaving the EU without a deal than at any time including immediately after the EU Referendum in 2016.
Back in 2016 the UK had more choices. Now the UK needs to leave without a deal at end of October or revoke article 50 and remain in the EU. The time for compromise has come to an end.
The UK parliament should vote on these two options immediately it returns after the summer break. The parliament can then spend time putting the vote into action.
The MPs will then face the public at the next General Election and have to justify whichever way they voted.
15th April 2019 Investment In UK The Highest In The World Regardless Of Brexit Chaos
Big 4 accountancy firm EY has reported that following its survey it found that Britain is the top place to invest in the world for the first time since EY started surveying investment market 10 years ago.
The reason investment has hit a record high according to EY is the English language is the language of business and the UK has a highly skilled workforce together with expanding technology base.
The low value of the UK pound has also made UK business cheap to invest in for overseas businesses keen to take advantage of undervalued UK businesses.
29th March 2019 On The Day The UK Should Be Leaving The European Union EU The Mother Of All Parliaments Says No Non Nein
MPs reject Theresa Mays EU withdrawal agreement by 344 votes to 286 a majority of 58. The UK is facing either a no deal Brexit on the 12th April or a long extension to Article 50 which will include the UK voting in EU elections in May.
The Prime Minister and the UK government seem to be holding out hope that the deal on the table with the EU will get still get through before the 12th April. How this would happen is highly uncertain.
22nd March 2019 No Deal Brexit Most Likely Outcome Of All Most Unlikely Outcomes
The UK is entirely fragmented politically. Each fragment has hurried off to respective camps and are digging in instead of looking for compromise.
Theresa May seems to have grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory after blaming UK MPs for Brexit logjam. Almost anything is now possible as the fragments of the UKs political community are resisting any coming together.
Mays Brexit deal could get through in a 3rd Meaningful Vote before the and of next week or the new deadline in April
The UK Prime Minister may do what she has said all along which is take the UK out of European Union EU on 29th March with no deal Brexit
UK parliament takes control over the Brexit process and before the EUs new deadline apply for and get a very long extension to Article 50 giving it time to put together a newer softer Brexit and or bring about a 2nd referendum on leaving the EU.
Many now believe Mrs May will take the UK out with a no deal Brexit next week but whether she will be allowed to do that by the UK parliament remains to be seen.
Brexit uncertainty has never been higher but next week it will continue to increase not reduce.
21st March 2019 Next Says No Deal Brexit Would Bring Lower Prices In Shops
Retailer Next says lower trade tariffs under no deal Brexit could save it 15 million pounds and allow Next to cut prices for shoppers in UK.
21st March 2019 No Deal Brexit Would Significantly Harm European Union EU
Barclays bank Chairman John McFarlane says a no deal Brexit would significantly hurt the European Union economy and a deal on financial services between Britain and the EU is likely whatever form Brexit takes.
He expects that trade would continue between the financial sector in London and the EU after Brexit.
19th March 2019 Theresa Mays Brexit Deal More Likely After Speaker Of House Of Commons Intervenes Into The Brexit Process Again
Yesterdays spanner in the Brexit process works by the Speaker of the House Of Commons has made it more likely that the UK Prime Ministers Brexit deal will somehow be approved. Where there is a will there is a way.
If this is the case then the UK economy will be boosted. The boost will come from private investment and massive public spending Brexit dividend promised by UK Chancellor. The downside risk is that the boost to UK economy will also accelerate UK interest rate rises.
The Brexiteers need to fall in behind the current Brexit deal or suffer no Brexit or softer Brexit.
14th March 2019 Third Meaningful Vote Expected Within A Week
Theresa May will try third time to get her EU withdrawal deal through Parliament. She is hoping to win over more Brexiteers on basis that they if they do not back her Brexit deal they will endure at best a long delay on getting Brexit or not get Brexit at all.
The UK government will at the very least need to ask the EU for a short delay on Brexit as there is not enough time to get Brexit through assuming Mays deal does get approval in the next week.
Last night an updated motion to reject a no deal Brexit under any circumstances was passed by 321 to 278 a majority of 43. Whilst not legally binding it is clear that parliament will find a way to prevent no deal Brexit ever happening.
Brexiteers realise they now face the likelihood of exiting the European Union EU via Mays Brexit deal on the table or softer Brexit like Norway Option or no Brexit. Which way will they jump in next week!
13th March 2019 UK Government Announces Tariffs On Imports Post No Deal Brexit
Most UK imports by value will not attract a tariff in the event of a no deal Brexit. Tariffs would protect some industries including farm produce. Such a change in UK imports is likely to increase the competitiveness of non European Union imports compared to EU imports though most EU imports would also be tariff free.
Tariffs on cars imported to UK would attract a 10 percent tariff though car parts would be tariff free.
The UK government also announced that it will not introduce any new checks or controls or require customs declarations for nearly all goods moving from across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
12th March 2019 Theresa May Says She Has Legally Binding Changes To Her Brexit Deal
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker warned if the deal was voted down there was no third chance to change a deal that could be agreed by both parties.
Hard line Brexiteers will not agree to anything short of no deal Brexit. Hard line Remainers will not agree to anything short of another referendum. It looks likely that the Second Meaningful Vote on the Brexit deal on the table will fall by less of a margin but how much of a margin is unclear.
It is clear that short term risks to UK economy will be lessened by agreeing the Brexit deal currently on the table
It is clear that the risk of the UK being trapped in the Backstop has lessened by the revised Brexit deal agreed with the European Union
What is unclear is the long term ability for the UK to finally leave the European Union fully.
Taking a balanced risk view of the short to long term the UK parliament should fulfil the decision of the British people to leave the European Union on the revised Brexit Deal. Should the UK legislators fail to vote to approve the Brexit deal the UK will be thrown into a crisis of government politics and business.
Business leaders will not know whether the UK will ever leave the European Union or whether it will end leaving with no deal. There may be one more Third Meaningful Vote before the end of March 2019. This is the most likely outcome of the developments this week. What the outcome of a Third Meaningful Vote will be is anybodies guess! However it will be incredibly close on whether the revised Brexit deal will eventually be voted through by the UK parliament.
UK MPs should remember that the best deals involve a win win for both parties not a lose lose win lose or lose win for the European Union and UK.
If the revised Brexit deal is not voted through and Brext with no deal is taken off the table then there must be a General Election in UK to revise the make up of the UK parliament. Then the new parliament must work on a revised Brexit deal. To revisit the Referendum before the last Referendum result has been implemented would create greater social and political damage which would continue for longer. Not only is it likely to result in a call for a third Referendum result but it would lead to another Referendum on Scotland leaving the UK.
All of these options would create greater chaos for business and economy for years. The only option which will protect short to medium and perhaps long term business environment is to accept the Brexit deal currently on the table.
15th February 2019 Retail Sales Jump More Than At Any Time Since December 2016
The Office for National Statistics ONS reports the amount of goods sold rose by 4.2 percent in January year on year the biggest annual rise since December 2016.
UK consumers show that record employment levels and rising standard of living will keep them spending regardless of Brexit. Wages continue to outstrip inflation indeed as inflation rate slows and wages increase faster the UK standard of living is accelerating.
27th December 2018 French Constriction Group Shows Confidence In UK Economy Post Brexit Deal or No Deal
Current Gatwick owners Global Infrastructure Partners GIP will sell a 50.01 percent stake to Vinci Airports. Vinci Airports has over 40 airports globally across Europe Asia and the Americas.
Gatwick is already the UKs second biggest airport and the 8th busiest airport in Europe by passenger numbers. However Vinci Airports will need to get significantly more than 3 billion pounds out of Gatwick purchase before it can start to turn extra value out of the investment. Where will it come from if Brexit crashes the UK economy?
26th November 2018 Brexit Plan B Most Likely End Destination For UK EU
The Sun newspaper is reporting behind the scenes discussions at UK government level to agree an EU UK Plan B when Plan A fails to get approval in the UK parliament.
Norway EFTA Plus deal most likely end result of Brexit negotiations by March 2019?
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Plan B is for the UK to join the European Free Trade Association EFTA. The Sun says government Secretaries on Remain and Leave side of the argument Michael Gove and Amber Rudd are trying to set up the UK joining EFTA temporarily enroute to eventual full Brexit.
Such a plan is likely to get through the UK parliament with with help of scores of Labour MPs at the expense of Conservative party unity.
Brexiteers in the Tory party are unlikely to vote for EFTA.
Would enough Labour MPs back an EFT Plan B deal to make it work if the EU agreed to enter such a Plan B?
The EU says there is no other deal it is prepared to sign.
Would Germany and France really face up to a no deal Brexit after appeals within UK for General Election and second referendum fail if there was a viable Plan B EFTA deal on table proposed by UK?
Would the existing EFTA members let the UK in enroute out of the EU?
Would an EFTA deal result in the formal split of both the Labour party and Conservative party in UK?
Would the UK left and right politicians come together in a new UK party occupying the centre ground to become a viable third party in UK politics?
25th November 2018 EU27 Endorsed Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future EU UK relations following Brexit In March 2019
EU leaders have approved an agreement on the UKs withdrawal and future relations. The EU27 say that deal agreed by the remaining 27 European Union EU countries is the only deal that is and will be on the table. Future relationship includes
Relationship to based on free trade without tariffs on either side
Continued cooperation on national security
End to free movement
The rubber stamping of the deal took less than 40 minutes at the meeting of EU27 leaders. However 20 months of negotiations is now at an end according to EU27 leaders and UK.
The agreement has yet to be agreed by the UK Parliament. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March 2019. European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said anyone in Britain who thought the EU27 bloc will offer improved terms if MPs rejected the deal would be disappointed.
The UK Parliament is expected to vote on the deal in early December. If the deal fails to get through the UK parliament it is likely that the UK Prime Minister will resign and then all bets are off. Possibilities could include
UK General Election where membership of the EU will be a critical element of the decision though it is not known what the Labour party in UK will have in its manifesto in such an event so how could voters choose which party to vote for. Last General Election 85 percent of UK voters voted for partys which wanted a Brexit.
Another Referendum on membership of the EU but what would be on the ballot. More than one option? Deal or no deal? Deal or Remain part of EU?
Another Brexit deal negotiation with EU on basis of UK parliament voted down first deal. However the EU27 say there is no other Brexit deal except no deal.
No politician in UK parliament or who has left parliament or any political commentator knows for definite what will happen if the UK parliament does not back the EU deal on the table. However most say that the EU deal will not get UK parliament approval ever.
If a General Election in UK or another Referendum did happen that did not have a clear cut decision what would happen?
If another Referendum was to switch to Remain in EU what happens next a third Referendum best of three?
In either of the the above voting processes what damage would UK society and economy suffer? One UK MP was killed during the last Referendum and many people were threatened with their lives.
The least damaging route in short term is for the UK parliament to back the EU UK deal on the table. Whether that is in the long term interests is not clear. The only thing that is certain is Brexit uncertainty is reaching its peak.
19th October 2018 View Of Brexit From German Industry
German industry association BDI has warned that both German and British companies are staring into an economic abyss if there is a no deal Brexit.
The remaining EU27 countries export more to the UK than any other country. More than to China or USA.
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Germany exported 84 billion euros worth of goods to the UK in 2017.
14th October 2018 No Deal Brexit Would Not Be Disaster
According to UK industry leading CEO a no deal Brexit would not be a disaster for the UK economically.
A standard free trade deal of the type agreed between Canada and the EU could cause EU economic growth loss of 0.8 percent.
A soft Brexit with the UK out of the customs union but retaining access to the single market and agreeing to abide by EU rules would imply almost zero cost for the EU as a whole IMF Report.
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9th July 2018 Brexit Secretary and Foreign Secretary Resign Over Brexit
David Davis Brexit Secretary and Boris Johnson Foreign Secretary resign from UK government over the Brexit policy decisions taken by Prime Minister Teresa May.
29th June 2018 Exports Goods and Services At Record High and Trade Gap Narrows
Trade figures released by UK government revealed that in the 12 months to March 2018 UK exports were at an all time high.
EU countries represent around 40 percent of all exports from UK.
Research from Barclays Corporate Banking found that around two thirds of consumers in India and China and around half of consumers in the UAE were prepared to pay more for goods made in the UK because they perceive the quality as higher.
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The trade deficit with the world continued to narrow to 80 billion pounds which is the narrowest UK trade deficit since 2012.
13th June 2018 Global Tech Companies Are Confident In UK Economy
Tech company Salesforce have voted in the UK with their 2.5 billion dollars of their money by announcing a massive investment in the UK over next 5 years. It clearly thinks it can grow further in UK and it could not do that unless the UK economy is strong.
Amazon is to create another 2500 jobs in the UK bringing total workforce in UK to 27500. Google Apple Snapchat and other global tech companies continue to invest in the UK economy.
11th June 2018 Where In The World Got The Highest Foreign Investment in 2017?
Despite Brexit the UK is still the place most overseas investors want to invest their money compared to rest of Europe.
23rd April 2018 – Financial Services Increasingly Confident In Brexit
The British government and senior finance executives said they are increasingly confident Europe will offer financial companies generous market access after Brexit, boosting London’s hopes of retaining its status as a top global financial centre.
Many in the City Of London now believe the remaining European Union EU members will go for easy access to financial market in London based on increased equivalence to prevent disruption to business anywhere in EU.
4th April 2018 – Peugeot Plans New UK Van Production In Luton
Vauxhall plant in Luton chosen by PSA Group to manufacture a planned new van. This demonstrates confidence in UK of a major automotive maker post Brexit.
19th March 2018 – UK and European Union EU Agree Terms For Brexit Transition To UK’s Withdrawal From EU
Brexit negotiators Michel Barnier and David David announce they have agreed term for a transition period in a major breakthrough “decisive step”.
The transition period will run from 29th March 2019 to December 2020 and may lead to the orderly withdrawal of the UK from EU.
In addition, there was also an agreement on the rights of EU citizens in the UK and the rights of UK citizens in the EU.
EU member countries have still to sign-off the agreement on the transition period, perhaps at an EU summit this week. If the EU members agree, then the negotiators will move on to discussions on a permanent future relationship agreement by August 2018 with a view to Brexit in March 2019.
The financial markets liked what they heard and the pound jumped in value.
27th February 2018 Small Medium-Sized SME Factories Sales Expectations Near 3 Year High
Sales expectations of SME factories in UK are near 3-year high due to strong global economy growth and low value of the pound.
National Manufacturing Barometer survey has revealed manufacturing to be the fastest growing sector of Britain’s economy in the final quarter of 2017.
The survey also revealed that more than half of SME manufacturers plan to invest in plant and machinery over the next 6 months. SME manufacturers in UK are more confident in their prospects in 2018 than they were in 2017.
The National Manufacturing Barometer surveyed 320 companies in January 2018
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26th February 2018 Two Labour MPs Discuss Brexit Negotiations
17th January 2018 Deutsche Bank Only Moving Hundreds Jobs Out UK Not Thousands Post Brexit
Deutsche Bank is headquartered in Germany had has told reporters that it will not need to move thousands of UK jobs to the continent post-Brexit. Stefan Hoops, head of Deutsche Bank’s capital market division in Germany explained that they would need to move fewer staff than many have said in the past. One executive previously said 4,000 staff would need to move but the numbers would actually be in the hundreds.
Last week Deutsche Bank Chief Executive was reported as saying that initially several hundred jobs would be created in Frankfurt, Milan and Paris but that is not the same as moving jobs from London.
16th January 2018 Bank of England Thinks Free Trade Deal With EU Including Financial Services Post Brexit Is Possible
It may take three years or more, but contrary to the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, it is possible if the remaining EU27 are prepared to agree such a free trade deal with UK.
Sam Woods, the Bank of England’s deputy governor in charge of Prudential Regulation Authority PRA says a three period to agree a free-trade agreement including financial services could happen because unlike other countries seeking such a free-trade deal, the UK’s financial services are already aligned in terms of financial services rules and supervision.
Sam Woods comments came during his appearance in front of MPs on the Treasury Select Committee.
8th January 2018 City Of London Says Brexit Job Loss Fears May Have Been Exaggerated
The City Of London EU envoy, Jeremy Browne, has been reported as saying that bankinginsurance and asset management job losses to the European Union (EU) may not be as severe as suggested by many including the UK’s ex-Chancellor and now editor of Evening Standard.
Most people were shocked, but that doesn’t mean the implementation of the Brexit vote will be bad for business.
The UK may yet not leave the European Union EU. Great forces will try hard to stop the democratic vote of the people being fully implemented. The people may even change their minds. Anything is possible.
When anything is possible there is increased risk
Increased risk means increased opportunities for growth as well as increased threats.
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If businesses invest their time and energy in controlling the threats from a Brexit and seize the opportunities the UK will benefit from a Brexit. If business leaders can not change or do not have an innovative mindset a Brexit could be bad for the UK economy.
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