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David Sapsted

David Sapsted

a photo of UK wind farms illustrates an article about new inward investment into the UK announced by Prime Minister Theresa May

May hails boosts to UK's industrial strategy

Inward investment into the UK is boosted by Airbus and Eutelsat orders. Plus, Equinix's total investment this financial year of £295 million is a "vote of confidence" in London's future as a premier financial hub.

May puts immigration at centre of Brexit deal

May puts immigration at centre of Brexit deal

Embattled Prime Minister Theresa May has put future UK immigration controls at the centre of her defence of the controversial Brexit withdrawal agreement she has negotiated with Brussels.

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

Brexit european union flag house of commons

Europe stands firm against Brexit deal revision

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said there is "no question" of renegotiating the terms of the draft Brexit deal as uncertainty continued to engulf British politics.

UK union jack and EU flag superimposed on an image of St Pauls

Cautious welcome from business to Brexit deal

As politicians locked horns over the draft Brexit deal, UK business leaders gave a guarded welcome to the proposals agreed between London and Brussels.

Illustration of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London illustrates an article on the latest Brexit deal presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Theresa May

Political turmoil follows draft Brexit agreement

Fresh doubts over the future of the draft Brexit deal struck between the UK and Brussels emerged on Thursday as Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and other ministers quit Theresa May's government in protest.

Predicted rise in UK inflation fails to materialise

Predicted rise in UK inflation fails to materialise

The UK's inflation rate remained unchanged at 2.4 per cent in October, surprising economists who had been predicting a small increase.

Up arrow indicating improved employment figures

Record drop in number of EU workers in the UK

The UK records the largest annual decrease in EU27 workers. Also, UK unemployment levels are at a historic low, though unlikely to fall much further given a slowdown in job creation.

Xi promises to open up China to the world

Xi promises to open up China to the world

President Xi Jinping has renewed his pledge to open up China’s economy and boost imports with a commitment to buy up to $30 trillion of goods and $10 trillion of services over the next 15 years.

UK GDP growth highest in almost two years

UK GDP growth highest in almost two years

The UK economy grew at its fastest rate since the end of 2016 in the third quarter of the year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Friday.

Image of a UK nuclear plant with trees with autumn leaves in the foreground

US woes force Toshiba to abandon UK nuclear plant

Struggling Toshiba's announcement to abandon plans to build a new nuclear power plant in Cumbria deal a blow to UK government plans to expand electricity generation. Why does Toshiba find itself in this position?

Uncertain future for Trump after midterm elections

The predicted 'blue wave' might not have materialised but the Democrats did enough to seize control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections in the US - a change that could spell trouble for President Donald Trump.

US and Iranian flag illustrates article about USA and Iranian trade conflict

EU nations vow to maintain Iran trade despite US sanctions

European nations have vowed to continue trading with Iran despite President Donald Trump's imposition of sanctions to put "maximum pressure" on the Tehran regime.

Two-thirds of UK firms fear future skills shortage

Two-thirds of UK firms fear future skills shortage

More than three-quarters of UK businesses expect to increase the number of higher-skilled roles over the coming years, yet the vast bulk of them fear there will be a shortage of suitably qualified candidates, according to a new report.

Banks step up plans for Brexit relocations

Banks step up plans for Brexit relocations

A growing number of banks are implementing plans to relocate staff from London to European hubs amid growing fears of a 'hard' Brexit next March.

UK and EU flags illustrate article about the latest tentative Brexit agreement

UK-EU 'reach tentative deal on financial services'

A tentative agreement has been reached between the UK and EU, based on 'equivalence' terms that would mean UK firms would have to conform to EU financial regulations.

Brexit prompts British rush for Irish passports

Brexit prompts British rush for Irish passports

The fast-approaching prospect of Brexit has resulted in the number of Britons applying for Irish passports reaching record levels.

Philip Hammond, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer in a official UK parliament photo

Businesses see Brexit as the elephant in the budget room

Despite individual positive measures, including those focused on tackling the UK’s long-standing productivity problems, business leaders remain cautious about the last UK budget before Brexit.

Red dispatch case with hand in union jack glove illustrates an article about the latest UK budget

Hammond hails end of UK austerity

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond predicted "resilient" growth in the UK economy in the coming years as he presented his final Budget before next March's Brexit.

'Give London control over post-Brexit immigration' – poll

'Give London control over post-Brexit immigration' – poll

The UK government's post-Brexit immigration policy must include practical proposals to keep London globally competitive by allowing the capital access to the overseas skills it needs, according to a new poll.

An airplane lands at sunset illustrating an article about Boeing opening a new plant in Sheffield UK

Boeing shrugs off trade war as UK plant opens

President Trump's orders for increased military spending leads to Boeing's Q3 revenue rising a billion dollars ahead of expectations - as the Seattle-based aerospace company opens a new plant in Sheffield, UK.

Photo of the Francis Crick Institute in London

Top scientists warn of Brexit damage to European research

Some of the world's leading scientists have warned both Britain and the EU that a no-deal Brexit would irreparably damage "the flow of people and ideas across borders" that scientific research relies on.

Team sitting at meeting table making business decisions

UK firms poised to move jobs and production – CBI Survey

Increasing numbers of UK companies are drawing up contingency plans to move jobs and production abroad because of uncertainty surrounding Brexit, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

EU flag flying in front of Big Ben at UK Parliament in London

Brexit 'holding back import/export decisions'

The continuing uncertainty over Brexit is increasingly hampering British businesses' decisions over whether or not to trade internationally, a survey on Thursday revealed.

UK inflation rate records unexpectedly large dip

UK inflation rate records unexpectedly large dip

The UK inflation rate fell to 2.4 per cent last month – a greater fall than economists had been predicting.

Group of people with an upward arrow illustrating an article about the robust UK economy

Skills worries remain as UK jobless total falls again

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paint a positive picture of the UK jobs market - but the current squeeze on spending power is unlikely to ease, according to Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Visa health costs for non-EU arrivals set to double

Visa health costs for non-EU arrivals set to double

The UK government is planning to increase the visa costs for professionals, students and family members arriving from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) from December.

'Settled status' process for EU nationals to be improved

'Settled status' process for EU nationals to be improved

The UK government's EU Settlement Scheme, which was designed to allow more than three million EU nationals to remain in the UK post-Brexit, is to undergo changes.

Photo of Singapore's skyline

Singapore still best destination for expats - HSBC survey

Relocating abroad boosts average salaries by $21,000 a year, according to this year's HSBC Expat Explorer survey, published on Thursday.

UK companies postpone hirings amid Brexit fears

UK companies postpone hirings amid Brexit fears

Increasing numbers of British companies are putting hiring intentions on hold because of uncertainty over the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

Japan would welcome UK to Pacific Trade Deal

Japan would welcome UK to Pacific Trade Deal

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said Japan would welcome the UK "with open arms" if it applied after Brexit to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact.

Global concern over talent shortages, survey shows

Global concern over talent shortages, survey shows

Shrinkage in the global talent pool has become a major headache for business leaders across the world, according to a survey by international recruitment firm Cielo.

Shareholders force Unilever to drop Dutch move

Shareholders force Unilever to drop Dutch move

In a move seen as a major boost to the post-Brexit standing of the City of London, consumer goods giant Unilever has abandoned plans to establish a unified headquarters in Rotterdam.

Handshake over US and UK flag image

Any UK-US trade deal "likely to be limited"

Any post-Brexit trade deal struck between the UK and US "would likely be limited in scope", according to an assessment by a leading global law firm.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid

Businesses uneasy over post-Brexit immigration policy

Business chiefs have reacted with unease over some of the government's proposals for a post-Brexit immigration system, outlined at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Paris 'emerges as winner' in EU financial trading

Paris 'emerges as winner' in EU financial trading

Paris is emerging as the favoured financial trading hub for continental Europe as London-based banks and asset managers prepare for the likely consequences of Brexit, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Union Jack and EU flags

Many firms will relocate after "hard" Brexit

A fifth of UK businesses will relocate all or part of their operations to continental Europe if Britain leaves the EU without reaching a trade deal, according to a major survey published on Friday.

A photo of the Aurora Borealis illustrating the Relocate Global weekly roundup, which features information on Finland

Relocate Global weekly news roundup: 27 September

This week's news roundup includes the Finland, US and UK economic growth rankings, 2019 higher education rankings, unusual business practices around the world, Goldman Sachs' UK retail banking debut, and the latest on Brexit.

Major gas find boosts UK offshore industry

Major gas find boosts UK offshore industry

The discovery of a major gas field west of the Shetland Isles has been hailed as "great news" for UK energy security by the country's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).

No-deal Brexit poses 'immense challenge' to Germany

No-deal Brexit poses 'immense challenge' to Germany

The heightened possibility of the UK leaving the European Union without reaching a trade deal is triggering alarm among German manufacturers.

Chinese and US flag illustrates the Sept 2018 weekly Relocate news roundup which includes an article about the US/China trade war and expats who vow to keep their firms in China.

Weekly news roundup: 20 September 2018

This week's David Sapsted roundup includes information about the UK economy, Brexit, expat taxes in The Netherlands, the US-China "trade war", a neoliberal think tank proposed "free trade agreement" between the US and UK, and new visa laws for expat retirees in the UAE.

UK inflation unexpectedly hits six-month high

UK inflation unexpectedly hits six-month high

The UK inflation rate rose to a six-month high of 2.7 per cent in August, confounding economists' expectations who had been forecasting a fall to 2.4 per cent.

Border control image illustrates article in which British industry responds to the latest MAC immigration report

Business gives immigration plan mixed reception

Business chiefs have given a curate's egg reception to the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) recommendations, regarding some parts as good and some not.

Brexit image illustrating an article about the latest MAC report

"Scrap visa cap on skilled migrants" say UK government advisors

The annual cap on the number of highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area allowed to work in the UK should be abolished after Brexit, the government's advisory body on immigration recommended in a major report on Tuesday.

Britons support skilled immigration, survey shows

Britons support skilled immigration, survey shows

A majority of Britons welcome the skills foreign workers bring to the country, according to a survey published today – 24 hours before recommendations for a new immigration system are due to be published by government advisers.

David Sapsted News in Brief - 13 September 2018 - American flag map

Weekly Roundup: 13 September 2018

This week's David Sapsted roundup includes information about extensive corporate and banking plans to relocate staff from the UK due to Brexit, the best place to live for expats, news about UK employment levels, and investigations into controversial ticket website Viagogo.

King's College Cambridge - photo of students and the building illustrating an article about Brexit and immigration for students

Foreign students "should stay part of migration target" - MAC

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) rejected calls from universities to give overseas students the automatic right to work in the country for up to two years after completing their studies.

UK economy financial growth brexit

UK economy picks up as trade gap narrows

The UK economy grew 0.6 per cent in the three months to July – its fastest quarterly pace in almost two years and up from 0.4 per cent in the three months to June, according to official figures recently published.

High tech image illustrating the David Sapsted Relocate weekly roundup

Weekly Roundup: 6 September 2018

This week's roundup includes information about UK fintech, the Polish government's appeal to expat workers, the UK government's scheme to recruit non-EU citizens, permanent residency in Qatar for expat citizens, Scotland's offer to pay visa fees for EU27 citizens, and UK mortgages.

Skills shortage 'holding back service sector'

Skills shortage 'holding back service sector'

The UK's service sector, which accounts for more than three-quarters of the nation's gross domestic product, is becoming increasingly concerned over a shortage of skilled staff, according to a new report.

two female students studying outside a brick building

Let foreign graduates work for two years - Universities UK

Universities UK have proposed a 'temporary global graduate talent' visa which would require no employer sponsorship. How would this new post-university visa work?

Employers cheered after no visa cap imposed in August

Employers cheered after no visa cap imposed in August

For the first time since last November, all Tier 2 visa applications for skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area were granted by the Home Office in August.

Cityscape of Paris with a focus on the Eiffel Tower to illustrate the Relocate Global David Sapsted weekly roundup for 30 August 2018

Weekly Roundup: 30 August 2018

This week's Relocate roundup includes information about the changes to UK immigration rules, Brexit-related company relocation plans, and the French government's post-Brexit plans for British nationals.

UK and EU flags illustrates an article about UK home office scheme to offer residency to EU27 residents living in the UK

Pilot scheme launched for EU27 remainers

The UK government's EU Settlement Scheme, under which more than three million EU27 nationals living in Britain will be able to apply to remain in the country after Brexit, was launched in a pilot scheme on Tuesday.

Weekly Roundup: 24 August 2018

Weekly Roundup: 24 August 2018

This week's Relocate roundup includes: the fall in net migration to the UK from the EU, the effect of Brexit on global currency trading, a new survey from Expatriate Healthcare and the most affordable UK town for employees to rent a home.

Contingency plans published for 'no deal' Brexit

Contingency plans published for 'no deal' Brexit

The government began publishing a series of advisory papers on contingency plans companies and individuals should put in place if the UK and European Union fail to reach a Brexit deal.

UK assures EU nationals they can stay in 'no deal' scenario

UK assures EU nationals they can stay in 'no deal' scenario

The government would "move swiftly" to safeguard the future of EU27 citizens living in the UK if the country left the bloc without reaching a deal, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has pledged.

Liam Fox

Fox outlines plan to make UK 'trading superpower'

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox says the UK should overcome the "narrow bandwidth" focusing on the likely outcome of negotiations with the EU and, instead, explore the global trade opportunities offered by nations such as the US and China.

Photograph of the city of Vienna

Weekly Roundup: 16 August 2018

This week's Relocate roundup includes: the most 'liveable city' worldwide, Brexit-related corporate relocations from and within the UK, and good employment news for the city of Detroit, Michigan.

British pound notes

CEO pay soared by 11 per cent in the past year

UK unions describe the CIPD report about soaring executive pay as illustrating "shocking excess" in Britain's boardrooms.