Category: News24

10:43 Thursday 29th September 2011
BBC News 24

MARYAM MOSHIRI: The markets are watching what’s going on in Germany very closely, as are we. They haven’t really reacted that much. If we have a look at what’s going on right now, the FTSE down 0.7%, 35 points. It’s hardly really changed at all from its opening mark. But I have to say it has lost a little bit more ground than what we saw earlier on in the morning. Investors are, of course, nervous about the outcome of the vote, but more importantly, they’re nervous about what this means for the future. Yes, if the vote does go through, but doesn’t get the kind of support that Angela Merkel needs, what will happen to Germany’s power to be able to stabilise the Euro in future months and indeed years? Well let’s talk to Bill Blain who is from Newedge broker, and joins us now from the City. Bill, thanks very much for joining us.
BILL BLAIN: Good morning.
MARYAM MOSHIRI: How important is this vote in the general scheme of things, in terms of what the City considers is important, and how nervous investors are about how policy makers are able to stabilise the Euro or not? Continue reading “Bill Blain from Newedge on Market Uncertainty Pending European Bailout Votes”

09:45 Thursday 29th September 2011
BBC News 24

SIMON JACK: We can talk to Sarah Hewin now. She’s Head of Global Research at Standard Chartered. What do you expect to happen Sarah?
SARAH HEWIN: Well we think that the vote will go through. The question is how far Angela Merkel has to rely on the opposition to get this ratification of the EU, the new powers of the EU bailout facility. There’s been some opposition amongst her own coalition partners, and if she does end up having to rely on support from the opposition to get this motion passed, it’s going to reflect very badly on her. It could really undermine her position in the run-up to the general election. That’s not going to take place for another eighteen months or so, but nevertheless it’s still something which could undermine her political authority.
SIMON JACK: Is she faced with a rather Hobson’s Choice of save the Euro and lose her job? Is that what she’s looking at?
SARAH HEWIN: Well, all along her position has been one of trying to save the Euro, but also trying to make sure that her coalition is not acting in direct contravention of what the German public want. So it’s really steering a very careful path between those two. The Euro needs Germany to survive, and the Euro bailout programme needs Germany’s backing. So that’s going to continue to be the case. At the same time, she has to be very careful about what policies she makes. So if she goes too far, then that is going to reflect very badly in those elections in 2013.
SIMON JACK: Alright Sarah. Thanks very much indeed. Sarah Hewin Standard Chartered.

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15:31 Wednesday 28th September 2011
BBC News 24

ADAM SHAW: Europe has laid out plans for a financial transaction tax, despite opposition from the United States and the UK. The European Commission has agreed to the idea in principle. The Head of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has outlined the plans, saying European states have provided guarantees of just over four and half trillion euros to the financial sector, and that it was time for that sector to make a contribution back to society. Well we can talk about this now with Stuart Fraser, who is the Policy Chairman of the City of London. Mr. Fraser, thank you for joining us. Well those are the words of José Manuel Barroso. Basically it’s about time the financial sector paid back some of that money and that goodwill. Do you agree? Continue reading “Stuart Fraser on the Financial Transaction Tax”

14:15 Wednesday 28th September 2011
BBC News 24

NORMAN SMITH: One of the other key speeches we had today was from the Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, calling for a review of the police. And I’m joined now by Paul McKeever, the Chairman of the Police Federation. Do you support the idea of a review of the way the police operate? Continue reading “Paul McKeever on the Lord Stevens Review”

14:05 Wednesday 28th September 2011
BBC News 24

TIM WILLCOX: Let’s talk to Sappho Xenakis, a Greek specialist at St Anthony’s College Oxford. She joins us from our studio there. Now, reports today that the Greek government can’t even pay for ink for its printers now, which means that the tax forms can’t be sent out to anyone. It does seem that everything is just breaking down in Greece, including law and order. Is there a strong movement now do you think developing where people are just going to say, we’re not going to pay this? Continue reading “Sappho Xenakis on the Greek Debt Crisis”