Policy and data updates

Plans for a Soft Brexit in favour of financial services has run into opposition in Brussels according to government officials
Irish and British governments seek talks on restoring Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government, with neither considering a return to direct control from London according to Ireland’s foreign minister. Talks to end a political stalemate broke down again this week, as Britain still believes a deal can be made to restore the power-share
According to a Bank of England survey, as a higher minimum wage is set to come into action, British workers are in line for their biggest pay rises since 2008
The Bank of England is likely to raise interest rates earlier than planned, and at a quicker pace than thought three months ago, meaning in May borrowing costs are likely to increase
In the first three months of 2018, it is likely Britain’s economy grew by 0.5%, unchanged from its pace of growth at the end of 2017, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)