Britain and the EU

Latest business news about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union.

EU agrees new rules to police derivatives market — 09 February 2012, 22:27 CET

EU government and parliament negotiators have struck a deal to impose new rules on the multi-trillion-euro derivatives market, an obscure instrument maligned for helping cause the global financial crisis.

Furore as England's anti-EU Farage drops Nazi jibe — 02 February 2012, 11:25 CET

Eurosceptic British MEP Nigel Farage stormed out of the European Parliament Wednesday after its German chairman cut him off in mid-flight for comparing Berlin's ideas for Greece to Nazi control.

With friends like these: British PM in Europe balancing act — 31 January 2012, 11:17 CET

A month after he became the lonely man of Europe, British Prime Minister David Cameron's efforts to win friends and influence people met with mixed results at the latest summit in Brussels.

French banks would come to Britain to avoid tax: Cameron — 31 January 2012, 10:13 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron took a fresh dig at cross-channel rival France Monday, warning that French banks would flee to Britain if Paris introduces a financial transactions tax.

Britain's Cameron in Europe balancing act — 30 January 2012, 22:12 CET

A month after setting Britain at odds with Europe, David Cameron walked a tightrope at a summit on Monday between appeasing angry leaders on the continent and upsetting his party at home.

Hague says no UK veto on use of EU institutions for pact — 30 January 2012, 13:47 CET

Britain will not veto the use of European Union institutions by the other 26 members of the bloc as they push forward a new fiscal pact which excludes London, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Monday.

Britain may contribute more to IMF if EU boosts aid funds — 28 January 2012, 20:23 CET

Britain will consider providing more aid to the EU through the International Monetary Fund if eurozone states first stump up more resources, Finance Minister George Osborne said Saturday.

German minister hits out at Britain over fiscal treaty — 27 January 2012, 15:30 CET

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble took a jab at Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday, blaming him for Europe's failure to agree a common debt-reduction treaty.

Cameron's tax arithmetic is wrong, says Brussels — 26 January 2012, 16:31 CET

The European Commission on Thursday shot down figures cited by Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron to argue against a planned financial transaction tax.

EU takes Britain to court over 'impossible' tax refunds — 26 January 2012, 16:23 CET

The European Commission said Thursday it is taking Britain to court over changes to rules governing the return of overpaid taxes.

EU financial transaction tax 'madness': Cameron — 26 January 2012, 13:59 CET

The European Union's plan for a financial transaction tax is "simply madness", Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday.

British PM presses for European rights court reforms — 25 January 2012, 18:35 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron called for the European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday to stop wasting time on "trivial cases", in a major call for reform of the court.

Independent Scotland, UK would have more EU votes: Salmond — 25 January 2012, 01:17 CET

Scotland and the United Kingdom would together have more European Union votes and greater influence in the bloc if the former becomes independent, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said Tuesday.

EU breaks impasse on derivatives regulation — 24 January 2012, 20:25 CET

European finance ministers broke an impasse Tuesday in regulation of the multi-trillion-euro trade in over-the-counter (OTC) financial derivatives.

Britain not seeking military conflict with Iran: Hague — 24 January 2012, 20:22 CET

Britain is neither planning nor advocating military action against Iran over its nuclear programme or its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted Tuesday.

Australia will follow EU ban on Iranian oil imports: Rudd — 24 January 2012, 17:13 CET

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday his country would follow the European Union in banning Iranian oil imports, after talks with his British counterpart in London.

Australia will follow EU ban on Iranian oil imports: Rudd — 24 January 2012, 12:02 CET

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday his country would follow the European Union in banning Iranian oil imports, after talks with his British counterpart in London.

Top European judge criticises British PM — 24 January 2012, 10:12 CET

The head of the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday criticised British Prime Minister David Cameron's plans to reform the court, accusing the British government of pandering to the tabloid press.

Europe leaders urge immediate end to Iran nuclear activities — 23 January 2012, 23:04 CET

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Monday called on Tehran to immediately suspend its nuclear activities after the EU slapped an embargo on Iran's oil exports as part of tough new sanctions.

EU commissioner tells City of London to 'play the game' — 23 January 2012, 15:52 CET

EU internal market commissioner Michel Barnier on Monday urged Britain to "play the European game" in dealing with the bloc over increased regulation for the financial services sector.

Former top envoy warns Bosnia heading for break-up: report — 22 January 2012, 22:52 CET

Bosnia is heading for a break-up due to chronic failures of its joint institutions, former top international envoy to the country Paddy Ashdown warned Sunday urging EU to take a stronger stance.

Cameron says Britain not ready to boost IMF to help euro — 18 January 2012, 17:34 CET

Britain is ready to boost its contribution to the International Monetary Fund to help countries in trouble, not to support a specific currency, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday.

Eurozone must focus on growth: Britain — 15 January 2012, 18:21 CET

Eurozone countries must concentrate on boosting growth and cutting regulation following the downgrading of several nations in the bloc, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday.

UK faces EU re- negotiation over Scottish independence — 15 January 2012, 18:28 CET

Britain would have to re-negotiate its EU membership if Scotland voted for independence, according to senior EU sources, as Scotland and England fight a high-stakes referendum battle.

No risk of a divided Europe: Finnish, British EU ministers — 12 January 2012, 17:52 CET

Finland's and Britain's EU ministers on Thursday toned down fears that recent high-profile disagreements on EU economic integration would lead to deep divisions in the 27-member bloc.