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David Sapsted

David Sapsted

Data over London landmarks, office buildings & executives

EU banks now seeking Brexit hubs in London

The number of UK financial services firms seeking to establish post-Brexit hubs in the European Union ground to a halt in the second half of last year, according to the latest research by EY.

Commuters at Euston Station in London

UK labour market hits new high

A record 32.9 million people are in employment in the UK while the number of jobless is at a 45-year low, according to official figures. Plus, news that Facebook is to hire 1,000 in the UK in 2020.

Former chief reporter at The Times and news editor and New York correspondent for The Telegraph among other journals, David Sapsted writes sharply observed news for Relocate.

David Sapsted

The global growth forecast for 2020 and 2021 has been reduced owing to rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and slowdowns in emerging markets.

IMF trims global growth forecast

The global growth forecast for 2020 and 2021 has been reduced owing to rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and slowdowns in emerging markets.

The UK will put "people before passports" in its new, post-Brexit immigration system, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

PM pledges ‘more equal’ immigration system

The UK will put "people before passports" in its new, post-Brexit immigration system, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday at the UK-Africa Investment Summit.

Image illustrating an article about EU immigration as a result of Brexit

UK assures Brussels over settled status scheme

The UK government has assured Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, that EU27 citizens will not be deported if they fail to apply under Britain's Settled Status scheme.

French oil company Total announces plans to move its financial HQ back to Paris from London in 2020, blaming Brexit and costs.

Brexit prompts oil giant relocation

French oil company Total announces plans to move its financial HQ back to Paris from London in 2020, blaming Brexit and costs.

Investment in UK tech hits record high

Investment in UK tech hits record high

The UK tech sector overtook European rivals in investment during 2019 and its rate of growth was greater than that of global leaders, the US and China.

UK in an interconnected world illustration of a globe with digital links

Business input vital in trade talks, says CBI

The UK's largest business organisation has produced the blueprint that it wants the government to follow to achieve "maximum leverage" while negotiating post-Brexit trade deals.

Financial sector still uneasy over Brexit.

Financial sector still uneasy over Brexit

While optimism has increased for growth in 2020, there are continued concerns in the financial sector over Brexit and a labour shortage.

Third of UK employers failing to help EU staff.

Third of UK employers failing to help EU staff

More than one in three UK companies with EU27 employees have not provided their European staff with any support to acquire Settled Status after Brexit, according to a survey.

The changing skillsets and backgrounds of CEOs around the world have been highlighted in an analysis of more than 900 chief executives of major companies across 16 nations.

The changing face (but not the sex) of CEOs

The changing skillsets and backgrounds of CEOs around the world have been highlighted in an analysis of more than 900 chief executives of major companies across 16 nations.

A female boss extends her hand to welcome a newly hired worker

Election outcome boosts UK jobs market

The UK jobs market has received a post-election boost with recruitment activity showing signs of revival in December, according to a new report.

Brexit relocations have failed to put a dent in the record level of tax contributions from the UK's financial services sector, according to a new report

UK finance sector keeps the taxman happy

Brexit relocations have failed to put a dent in the record level of tax contributions from the UK's financial services sector, according to a new report.

Australia rules out visa-free work deal with UK.

Australia rules out visa-free work deal with UK

Plans for a UK-AUS trade deal appear optimistic, but totally visa-free work and travel is off the table, according to Australia's trade minister.

Bristol tops property searches outside London, according to new research from Rightmove.

Bristol tops property searches outside London

Bristol emerged as the popular location outside London for online property searches among both buyers and renters during 2019, according to a new year survey.

New study finds a growing North-South divide in UK manufacturing.

Growing regional divide in UK manufacturing

Manufacturing industries in London and South East England are “booming”, with growth far outstripping any other UK region, according to a new survey.

Lab technicians

Government acts to attract 'brightest and best'

The UK government is to double the number of Tier 1 fast-track visas available to elite scientists from around the world.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

UK businesses broadly welcome Government agenda

Business leaders in the UK have reacted favourably to the new government's legislative agenda outlined in the Queen's Speech but remain anxious to discover the detail of many of the proposals.

The UK government reaffirmed its commitment on Thursday to leave the EU at the end of January and to introduce a new points-based immigration system in 2020.

UK government sets out its post-Brexit plans

The UK government reaffirmed its commitment on Thursday to leave the EU at the end of January and to introduce a new points-based immigration system in 2020.

The main labour market concern of UK businesses is that government plans for a post-Brexit immigration system will make it impossible for them to hire the skills they need, according to a new survey.

‘Simplify the immigration system’, UK firms demand

The main labour market concern of UK businesses is that government plans for a post-Brexit immigration system will make it impossible for them to hire the skills they need, according to a new survey.

Pound coins illustrate an article about the latest UK interest rates

'No interest rise' as inflation holds steady

Economists said the Bank of England would be unlikely to raise interest rates in the near future after official data on Wednesday showed the UK's inflation rate remained well below the government target.

Flight paths out of the UK with country names and flags

Jobseekers look abroad following election results

There was a sudden surge in UK-based workers seeking jobs abroad as the results of last week's general election began to emerge, according to research by Indeed, the world's largest job site.

UK universities should bear the long-term immigration costs of overseas academic staff, according to the nation's higher education union.

‘Pay visa fees or lose staff’, union warns universities

UK universities should bear the long-term immigration costs of overseas academic staff, according to the nation's higher education union.

Big Ben at the UK Houses of Parliament

Businesses seek clarity after Tory election win

Business leaders called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to set about restoring confidence in the economy after his Conservative Party stormed to victory in the UK's general election.

Townhouses in Primrose Hill, London

UK housing market 'set to rebound in 2020'

Surveyors are expecting UK house sales and prices to increase in 2020 as long as current political uncertainties are resolved, according to a new survey.

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Finance workers see Brexit as biggest threat

Almost 60% of workers in the UK's financial services see the aftermath of Brexit as the biggest challenge facing the industry during 2020, according to a new survey.

Union Jack flag with an international student standing in front of it holding a passport

Surge in non-EU students at UK universities

The number of Tier 4 visas granted to non-EU students in 2019 increased by 16%, with the total attending UK universities hitting an all-time high.

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Businesses uneasy over new immigration plan

Business leaders in the UK have reacted with unease after Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the points-based immigration system he intends to introduce if the Conservatives win Thursday's general election.

Gavel and law books

Lawtech boosts UK's legal sector primacy

Investment in legal technology in the UK has 'rocketed' in the past three years with the nation now home to almost half the LawTech start-ups in the European Union, according to a new report.

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London becomes global leader for fintech HQs

London now boasts more fintech headquarters than any other any city in the world, according to a new report.

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CBI calls for much more regional R&D spending

The UK's biggest business organisation is calling for regions of the nations - rather than London and SE England - to be relaunched as the number one destination for future R&D investment.

NATO summit confronts problems of future unity

NATO summit was to concentrate on emerging threats - cyber, militarisation of space, China as a rising military power - but fears are that discussion will be dominated by defence funding.

Taipei at night

Asia tops 'Best Expat Cities' rankings

For the second year running, Taipei has emerged as the favourite city in the world among expatriates with traditional destinations such as New York, Paris, Rome and San Francisco among the bottom ten in the rankings.

Growth in the UK economy should pick up sharply in 2021 – as long as the nation reaches a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.

Growth spurt predicted for UK economy in 2021

Growth in the UK economy should pick up sharply in 2021 – as long as the nation reaches a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, according to the latest forecast from the Confederation of British Industry.

Bowler hat with Union Jack illustration superimposed on it

Brexit sees tumble in net EU migration

Net migration to the UK amounted to 212,000 in the year to the end of June, its lowest level in six years, according to official figures published on Thursday.

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Regional growth behind rise in finance jobs

The demand for professionals to work in the UK’s financial services sector has increased by three per cent during 2019 despite the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, according to a new survey.

Business leaders in the UK have reacted cautiously to the ruling Conservative Party's general election manifesto.

Tories' Brexit and immigration plans worry business

Business leaders in the UK have reacted cautiously to the ruling Conservative Party's general election manifesto, published on Sunday.

city of London skyscape

UK business unease over Labour's election plan

British business leaders have expressed disappointment at many of the proposals in the Labour Party's manifesto for next month's general election.

UK office workers

UK skills shortages remain major headache, survey shows

Almost three-quarters of UK businesses who tried recruit staff in the third quarter of the year experienced difficulties finding the skills they needed, according to a major survey.

London cityscape with high tech illustration over

UK tech firms attract record US investment

Despite Brexit uncertainties, 2019 is already a record year for US venture capital investment in British businesses, according to latest data from PitchBook.

UK jobs market stalls ahead of election

UK jobs market stalls ahead of election

With a General Election set for 12 December, the UK jobs markets has slowed in Q3, according to new data.

Business unease over Tory immigration plans.

Business unease over Tory immigration plans

The Conservatives have outlined their proposals for immigration after Brexit, with Labour revealling their plans later this week.

Manufacturers join calls for visa reforms.

Manufacturers join calls for visa reforms

The UK's leading manufacturers' organisation has become the second major business group in a week to demand the next government relax immigration restrictions to enable companies to hire skilled foreign labour.

India is urged to ease burdens on businesses.

India urged to ease burdens on businesses

New report calls on the Indian government to improve the country as a place to do business.

South Africa visa changes in bid to attract talent

South Africa visa changes in bid to attract talent

A pilot e-visa scheme is being tested in South Africa with the aim of attracting skilled workers and investors.

African nations are pushing for visa reforms.

African nations pushing for visa reforms

A new report reveals that policymakers across Africa are trying to make it easier for African businessmen and women, investors, students and tourists to travel.

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UK inflation fall sparks interest rate speculation

The UK's inflation rate fell to its lowest in three years last month, mainly thanks to a decline in energy prices, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

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Women still being denied top jobs at UK firms

Although the UK is poised to meet its target of getting more women on the boards of the country's largest companies, there is "little sign of change" in the number of females appointed to top jobs, according to a government-backed review.

India economy graphic

Asian nations dominate 2020 pay rise table

Professionals working in India are forecast to see the world's largest, real salary increases during 2020, according the latest 'Salary Trends Report' from ECA International.

Chinese firm set to rescue British Steel

Chinese firm set to rescue British Steel

Thousands of jobs in the UK and Europe to be saved as Chinese firm bails out the British Steel group.

The UK avoids a recession with Q3 rise in growth

UK avoids recession with Q3 rise in growth

A slight but steady increase in GDP during July and September has kept the UK from entering a recession.

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Government promises fast-track health visas

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined plans for fast-track visas for health professionals as part of the points-based immigration system the government plans to introduce after Brexit.

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Rate cut a possibility as global growth stalls

The Bank of England surprisingly held out the prospect of an interest rate cut on Thursday as it downgraded the UK's economic growth forecasts because of Brexit and the global economic slowdown.

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Businesses say 'cut visa salary threshold'

A coalition of employers' and business organisations is demanding the UK government slash the minimum salary for overseas workers to £20,000 in its post-Brexit immigration plan.

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Demand for IT staff continues apace

Advertised vacancies for IT staff by UK companies surged to more than 165,000 over the third quarter of the year, according to a new survey.

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City backs Boris - but not his Brexit deal

A majority of financial services chiefs in the City of London are supporting Prime Minister Boris Johnson's re-election bid in the December 12 general election - but not his Brexit deal, according to a new poll.

CBI demands urgent action on climate change

CBI demands urgent action on climate change

The UK government needs to take urgent action to unlock business investment in clean growth, advises the CBI.

Chief executives behind new automation drive

Chief executives behind new automation drive

The UK's chief executives are increasingly taking personal responsibility for driving the business case for intelligent automation to boost productivity and growth, according to new research.

Finance sector promised access to overseas talent

Finance sector promised access to overseas talent

The success of the UK's financial services depends on the nation's continued ability to "attract and retain the best talent and skills" from around the world, a government minister has stressed.