PMQs: Keir Starmer wins despite all the drama
The PM was probed on his economic promises โ and managed to largely escape unscathed.
Insurance
Slovakia continuously failed to fulfil hospital payment obligations rules Court of Justice [Advocacy Lab Content]
Slovakia has lost a Court of Justice ruling over continuous late payments to public hospitals. The state-owned health insurance company is facing serious financial struggles as healthcare budget troubles mount.
Franceโs Barnier bets on hardliner as โinsurance policyโ against far right
Interior minister Bruno Retailleau promises immigration curbs similar to those of Marine Le Penโs party
EU cross-border bank mergers pose real risks, Nagel warns
Key among the risks is the lack of a common deposit guarantee scheme, which could leave customers exposed.
How the Trump-Vance platform could win or lose
Donald Trump never stops talking about immigration, trade and the economy. Those policy areas have animated all three of the former presidentโs campaigns for the White House, and he often finds ways to morph other topics into border security, tariffs, taxes and inflation when heโs riffing on the campaign trail. And for years โ amid [โฆ]
The Observer view: youth mobility must be part of post-Brexit reset
Keir Starmerโs parochial stance on mooted scheme is short sighted and bodes ill for resetting relationship with BrusselsBritons aged 18 to 30 can apply for visas to live and work for a limited time in 13 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and …
Biden on his climate legacy: โWe did itโ
The president celebrated his environmental successes and took aim at former President Donald Trump.
Whoโs the real health commissioner?
SNEAK PEEK โ EU health policy is now split across multiple departments, and MEPs arenโt happy. โ Sort your own house out first: MEPs question Hungarian health secretary over presidency plans and countryโs health commissioner role. โ Spend less on defense and more on health, WHO chief Tedros told world leaders at the United Nations [โฆ]
โHeโs a very, very handsome manโ: Meet the ex-pop star turning heads in the UK Treasury
Former Clean Bandit member Neil Amin-Smith is one of Chancellor Rachel Reevesโ most trusted advisers.
Inside Trumpโs electoral firewall
If the former president wins the East Coast trio of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, he will go back to the White House.
FS policy: 20 people to meet at Labourโs conference
Looking to influence financial services policy but unsure who to meet at Labourโs inaugural party conference in Liverpool this weekend? Politicians, advisers or policy wonks: Weโve got the ultimate list of who holds the power in and around the first Labour Party conference in 14 years โ and who to have a chinwag with on [โฆ]
Republicans block Democratic bill on IVF protections
As Trump pitches himself as a โleader on IVF,โ GOP senators dismiss the legislation as a Democratic stunt.
Slovakiaโs health minister facing potential no-confidence vote following turbulent summer [Advocacy Lab Content]
Summer strife deepened conflict between Slovakia’s health minister and the opposition, as Slovakia’s state-owned health insurance company continues to report a staggering loss, with no solution in sight.
Trudeau digs in as his party ponders his ability to win
Whatever the prime minister is selling after almost nine years in power, Canadians are no longer buying.
Teacher โsick with nervesโ over battle to remain in his Spanish home post-Brexit
Mark Saxby, 56, says he is in limbo because of Spanish authoritiesโ โpettyโ concern about his medical insuranceA British teacher has told how he is โsickโ with nerves about returning to his home in Spain amid a three-year battle to get post-Brexit resi…
Bermuda premier defends โrobustโ insurance sector after 777 Re crisis
David Burt says island has โvery strong and robust regulatory systemโ following issues at private equity-linked reinsurer
โItโs disastrousโ: White evangelicals waver after Trumpโs shifts on abortion
Trump canโt win without overwhelming evangelical support. His recent comments on abortion have some of his allies on the religious right worried.
Iran pays millions in ransom to end massive cyberattack on banks, officials say
IRLeaks, a group with a history of hacking Iranian companies, was said to be responsible.
Democrats target Trumpโs muddled abortion message
The Harris campaign launched a bus tour on reproductive rights in the former presidentโs adopted home state of Florida, where abortion laws are a centerpiece of the forthcoming election.
Trump says he opposes six-week abortion ban adopted by his home state of Florida
But the former president wonโt say whether heโll vote for the ballot measure to overturn the new restriction.
Bulgaria under pressure to provide free biomarker tests for cancer patients [Advocacy Lab Content]
Patient organizations in Bulgaria are launching a public campaign to force the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to provide free biomarker diagnostics to people with oncological diseases.
How to rein in Russiaโs shadow fleet
The countries buying oil transported by these dark vessels could be more receptive to nudges, as they, too, face significant risks.
Scraping soot from palm trees: climate change is shaking up European travel
Refurbishments after wildfires, insurance claims and autumn bookings now part of life for tourist industry
Europeโs southerners want Brussels to save them from climate change
Ursula von der Leyen faces pressure from the south over climate adaptation plans.
I always expect a warm welcome in Ireland. But Galway blew me away | Adrian Chiles
Visiting the races this week, it felt as if there was no better place to be in all the world. No wonder the locals were so proudWhen it comes to friendliness and fun, I hold the Irish to higher standards than people of other countries. So when the chap…
Slovak health insurance companies predict yearly losses in tens of millions [Advocacy Lab Content]
Rising healthcare costs are straining Slovak health insurance companies. The state-owned General Health Insurance Company (VลกZP) took the worst hit with a predicted โฌ169 million year-end loss.
5 ways Labour says Britain is broken
Labour attack dossier lays out holes in Britain’s finances โ which the Tories dismiss as simply a political excuse to raise taxes.
Labour steals Tory playbook for financial blame game
Labour, with an eye on the next election, wants voters to hear that the public finances are worse than they thought โ so blame the Tories for higher taxes.
Washingtonโs most powerful interests donโt know whether to cheer Harris โ or dread her
Would she bring continuity with Joe Bidenโs policies? A more centrist vibe? A sharper progressive bite? Industries including tech, energy and pharma want to know.
Money talks: Von der Leyenโs winning pledges for Europe
Europe’s insurance sector became the latest to join the chorus of EU interest groups calling on the next Commission to foster a more pro-business regulatory framework – first and foremost, by following through with its pledge to slash reporting obligat…
UK inflation stays at 2 percent target in June
But services are still making life difficult for the Bank of England.
Insurance sector adds to pressures on new EU Commission to cut reporting rules
Europe’s insurance sector became the latest to join the chorus of EU interest groups calling on the next Commission to foster a more pro-business regulatory framework – first and foremost, by following through with its pledge to slash reporting obligat…
Brookfield ups the ante in UK pensions with insurance start-up
Canadian group could yet โbuild then buyโ to grab returns on offer in a market awash with possible deals
Labourโs top policy priorities
A deep dive into what Keir Starmer’s government will tackle in their first 100 days and then in their first year.
Europe has avoided the nuke question for decades. No longer
America has protected Europe with is nuclear umbrella for more than 70 years. In the era of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, the continent is quietly debating a different nuclear future.
Ozempic-maker blasts Biden in price row
Novo Nordisk has denied U.S. president’s claim it is “ripping off” consumers, saying the reality isn’t so simple.
Bulgaria facing critical shortage of general practitioners [Advocacy Lab Content]
A critical shortage of general practitioners threatens the Bulgarian health system, according to a new report by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), serious bottlenecks look certain to occur.
City of London delays decision on new tallest building
Vote follows objection from Lloydโs of London chair to 73-storey building near site of historic insurance market
Scholz set to announce compensation for Polish survivors of Nazi crimes
The German chancellor is also expected to announce additional support for the defense of Poland’s eastern flank as the two countries seek to mend long-strained ties.
Zurich and Aon launch insurance scheme to boost hydrogen development
New facility is aimed at smaller projects that would otherwise struggle to find cover
EU leaders ditch call to prepare for โnew realitiesโ of warmer planet
The European Environmental Agency found Europe unprepared for climate change risks such as floods and heatwaves.
Commissionโs finance chief: EU leaders must do better at bolstering bank mergers, Banking Union
EU leaders should support the cross-border merger of banks to bolster the resilience of the Banking Union, European Commissioner for Financial Services Mairead McGuinness said on Tuesday (25 June), warning recent amendments to draft deposit insurance r…
Russia started Berlin factory fire as part of hybrid war on Europe, report says
German police believe a technical defect caused the blaze, but security officials have blamed Russia.
How to navigate Hungaryโs EU presidency policy agenda like a pro
The countryโs Council stint will be marked by political change in Brussels following the EU election.
Export controls on Russia might be working better than you think
The fact Moscow is so keen to discredit export controls may well be a clue that the measures arenโt ineffective.
Die Abschiebe-Debatte der Innenminister
Prรคsentiert von eBay.
Insurance bosses say London falling behind in market for in-house cover
Growing numbers of large companies are setting up entities to insure their own risks
We read Nigel Farageโs manifesto so you donโt have to
The key eyebrow-raising pledges in the Reform UK ‘contract’ with the public.
5 takeaways from Labourโs โCaptain Cautionโ manifesto
Keir Starmer is promising change from 14 years of Tory government. In fiscal terms, it’s not so much โ for now.
Has your insurance premium rocketed?
FT Money wants to hear about increases to your car and home cover
โBatteredโ Brits want to hold Tories to account, Chancellor Jeremy Huntย admits
He also concedes the government failed to end irregular migration routes, one of its core pledges.
Aon unveils $350mn war cover scheme for Ukrainian businesses
Insurance plan developed with US agency will help underpin eventual reconstruction effort
Multibillion-euro court battle over jets stranded in Russia begins in Dublin
Some of the world’s largest aircraft lessors faced off against their insurers in a Dublin courtroom on Tuesday (11 June) at the start of a months-long battle over around โฌ2.5 billion of insurance claims related to jets stranded in Russia.
Sunakโs pitch to Brits: You might hate the Tories, but weโll cut your taxes
Embattled prime minister bills himself as a man with a plan for the Tory faithful โ and paints Keir Starmer as a risky bet.
Europol and US seize website domains, luxury goods in $6bn cybercrime bust
โWorldโs largest botnetโ โ spread through infected emails โ taken down through coordinated police action among several countriesUS authorities announced on Thursday that they had dismantled the โworldโs largest botnet everโ, allegedly responsible for n…
โExcessiveโ capital requirements stand in the way of CMU, insurance industry warns
While EU policymakers hope to mobilise more private capital for investments through the Capital Markets Union (CMU), high capital requirements prevent insurance companies from โplaying a bigger roleโ, industry association Insurance Europe said.
Labourโs election policy positions, tracked
Absolutely everything you need to know about what the opposition party is promising ahead of the July 4 election.
UK election: Tory campaign policy positions, tracked
POLITICO keeps the receipts on what the Conservatives have said about policy in the general election campaign, from national service to the ‘triple lock plus.’
EU Parliament staff in uproar over breach of ID cards, personal records
Thousands of sensitive records leaked in hack of HR system.
UK general election: Everything you need to know
Britain’s summer election is on. Here’s your bluffer’s guide.
UK election: Why Rishi Sunak pulled the trigger
The prime ministerโs announcement of a July general election has stunned the country โ but what were his reasons for going to the polls now?
IMF warns Tories against further UK tax cuts
Amid a higher debt burden, U.K. should not be considering pre-election tax cuts, forecaster says.
London insurance market jobs hit highest level in decade
Industry benefits from specialist knowledge of everything from shipwrecks to cyber attacks
This Spanish city wants to be the first in Europe to introduce mandatory bike insurance for cyclists
The move is part of a growing backlash in Spain and Europe against cyclists that has seen new bike paths removed and allegations of cities misusing EU funding.
Allianz, Europe’s largest insurer, sees double-digit jump in profits
Profits at the German insurance group were driven by its property-casualty segment, which benefited from higher prices and relatively benign claims from natural catastrophes.
Czech ministry proposes changes in medicines price setting approach [Advocacy Lab Content]
The Czech Health Ministry has introduced amendments to the public insurance law to enhance healthcare accessibility and ensure sustainable medical treatment costs โ a move welcomed by Czech pharmaceutical companies.
Hope is like the sun: Court of Justice ruling extends right to family reunification for refugee minors
Chiara De Capitani (PhD)
is a linguist agent at the European Commission and member of Amnesty
International Belgique francophoneโs Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
(OSIG) coordination. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this paper
are …
UK Tories powerless to escape Rishi Sunakโs death march
Conservative MPs backed down from challenging the PM and now see no escape from electoral wipeout.
How MEPs make millions on the side: Legal advice, speeches and Covid cures
Fresh filings by European lawmakers show many hold outside jobs.
Has the EU really just found โฌ400B it could spend on defense?
Europe’s rescue fund has nothing left to rescue. It could now become governments’ silver bullet for military investment instead.
Slovakiaโs new fiscal deficit measures hit health coverage, staff levels [Advocacy Lab Content]
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, has announced a new wave of proposed cost-saving measures aimed at deficit reduction, but they risk impacting Slovakia’s health service and health insurance provision.
Belgian insurer urges politicians to strengthen low emission zones
Mutualitรฉs Libres among 140 health and environment experts calling for more clean air measuresOne of Belgiumโs mutual health insurers has been taking a closer look at the countryโs three low emission zones.Dr Luk Bruyneel, a health and economics expert…
The โmassive phenomenonโ of work-related deaths in France
As May Day celebrations fill the streets with festive marches and labour union protests across French cities today, a darker truth boils below the surface. In a country often applauded for its strong labour protections, two workers die each day due to…
PMQs scorecard: Sunak and Starmer shout about pensions to woo the gray vote
With local elections looming, the PM and Labour leader clashed over tax cuts and the state pension.
As Russiaโs shadow fleet menaces Sweden, hereโs how the EU could help
Though it’s impossible to block this subversive armada, there are steps the bloc could take that would at least make Russia’s business harder to execute.
UKโs Sunak and Hunt wage war on City watchdog
Regulators want to name and shame firms under investigation even before they’re proven guilty.
Rethinking EU restrictive measuresย ย ย ย
Against a backdrop of alternative global trade channels, food insecurity, and a stagnant EU economy, sanctions against Russia need to be more strategic and fair to legitimate businesses.
EU agrees to tackle Russiaโs shadow oil fleet, Sweden says
The dark fleet camouflaged by Moscow “fuels the war chest of Russia,” Swedish foreign minister says.
EU regulator urges action on climate threat to insurance
Eiopa head says rise in losses from natural catastrophes needs to be addressed by firms and member states
Beware risks of voter giveaways to public finances, countries facing elections told
IMF says reduction in national insurance may have made cutting UK national debt more difficultThe International Monetary Fund has issued a strong warning to Britain and other countries facing elections this year to avoid voter giveaways that might pose…
PMQs scorecard: Sunak and Starmer fight over who dislikes Liz Truss more
Liz Truss bore the brunt at prime minister’s questions
Letta: ESMA should supervise largest market players
The EUโs markets watchdog should start taking on the supervision of the bloc’s largest financial sector firms and oversee the creation of a pan-European IPO venue for small and medium businesses, Enrico Letta will tell EU leaders
EDIS vote in ECON: Ignoring consequences of rush is careless
The European Deposit Insurance Scheme is back on Parliamentโs banking union agenda, but key regulatory issues remain unresolved, and premature โcompromiseโ may have a far-reaching impact on upcoming European elections.
How the Trump hush money scandal turned into a criminal case: The whirlwind history of People v. Trump
It was nicknamed the โzombieโ case. Now itโs finally going to trial.
France talks tough on Ukraine while gobbling up more Russian gas
France has paid Russia over โฌ600 million this year for liquefied natural gas, new data shows. That’s an EU-leading rise from last year.
Trump posts $175M bond to stave off seizure of his assets while he appeals civil fraud verdict
Without the bond, New York authorities could have begun enforcing the nearly half-billion dollar verdict.
Europeโs policies to combat antisemitism have failed the โreal worldโ test
In short โ and let me be blunt โ if governments arenโt prepared, or are unwilling, to turn words into action, the entire strategy will be useless.
Restore Point review โ Czech Blade Runner is a valiant attempt to satisfy cyber-noir cravings
Robert Hlozโs debut is a competent copy of Hollywood sci-fi, but itโs too heavily indebted to its influences to develop its own philosophyApparently the first sci-fi film from the Czech Republic in 40 years, this so-called Czech Blade Runner is actuall…
The Markus Ferber affair: When lawmaking meets business
The relationship between a powerful German MEP and a Dutch businessman blurred the lines between public service and private gain.
The shameful abandonment of seafarers
An increasing number of sailors are being abandoned by their vesselsโ owners, left stuck on board sometimes for months or even years.
Labour enters shark attack mode
SNEAK PEEK โย Labour goes after City fat cats โ but expect a fight. โ Government finally unveils autumn statement ISA reform legislation. โ Car loan mis-selling bill wont hit PPI-scale disaster, says FCA boss. Happy Friday!ย We made it! After another busy week MFS U.K. has more content goodness for you to get through before you [โฆ]
Labour called on to quash snooping bank bill
SNEAK PEEK โ Labour peer criticizes own partyโs efforts on DWP snooping bill. โ Hunt and Martin Lewis at odds over budget leaks. โ Insurers finally extend flammable cladding home cover.ย Happy Thursday! Weโre all so close to the end of the week but there are still plenty of financial services goodies to get through [โฆ]
PMQs scorecard: Rishi Sunak struggles to deflect questions over Tory donorโs โracistโ comments
Keir Starmer went in hard on comments from Frank Hester.
Counting frozen Russian funds
SNEAK PEEK โ Former Tory leader criticizes slow movement of Russian asset seizure.ย ย โ SCOOP: City minister talks up U.K. financial servicesโ role in digital innovation. โ Banks push back against new government snooping bill. Happy Wednesday! Weโre half way through the working week and oodles has already happened in the happy land of financial [โฆ]
City vs government in Russian freeze to seize debate
SNEAK PEEK โ U.K. government scared of seizing Russian assets, MP says. โ Treasury talks tough on fraud with new rules for banks. โ City minister summons banks to chat growth. Good morning readers!ย Absolute ripper of a newsletter today, if we do say so ourselves. Read on to get the latest on why an [โฆ]
Sexism and the City
SNEAK PEEK โ Sexism rife in the City: MPs call for more legislation. โ Think tanks give U.K. economy poor score post-budget. โ Global banks face new rules to prevent capital โwindow-dressing.โ Good morning and happy Friday to our readers. Today, itโs International Womenโs Day, and the Treasury Committee has things to sayโฆ DRIVING THE [โฆ]
Ten questions for the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
Dick Rocheโs recent commentary โPreaching transparency but not practicing itโ prompted many reactions, but none from the institution in focus: the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). The author comes back with 10 questions c…
Big banks vs little banks in the battle of who pays for failure
SNEAK PEEK โ Banks: who pays if smaller ones collapse? โ Budget highs, lows, and no-gos. โCity minister meets with top female finance gurus ahead of International Womenโs Day. Good morning! Today weโve got battling banks, budget chat and crypto. Keep reading! DRIVING THE DAY BIG BANKS AND SMALL BANKS BATTLE OVER WHO SHOULD PAY [โฆ]
Tories pray for a miracle after a lackluster budget
A May general election now seems unlikely as Conservatives pin their hopes on an autumn tax surprise.
UK Budget 2024: All the highlights
POLITICO watched Jeremy Hunt’s big fiscal event so you didn’t have to.