2017 was a record year for the UK wine industry, as figures showed 64% more bottles of UK-made wine reached the market than in 2016. The Wine and Spirit Association said the industry was reaping the benefits of ‘huge’ investment over the last decade.
Russia went to the polls last month and in the least surprising result of the year, Vladimir Putin won another six year term. The Chinese Communist Party removed rules limiting Xi Jinping to two terms in office, meaning two of the world’s three superpowers now effectively have presidents for life.
Did anything happen to make the world smile in February? Absolutely – unless you were waiting in the queue at Kentucky Fried Chicken where, sadly, the bargain bucket was replaced by the empty bucket.
The first month of 2018 was a good one for the major stock markets which we cover in this Bulletin.
The ‘breakthrough’ deal struck in early December last year by Theresa May with the EU means we now know more about some of the Brexit issues.
Progress was finally made in Brexit negotiations and Scotland increased income tax, while Germany worried about Chinese spies on LinkedIn.
Since before the EU referendum result was known at the end of June 2016, the ‘divorce bill’ has been a hot topic of debate.
November was a relatively disappointing month for world stock markets, with the majority of the markets we cover losing ground in the month.
While the stock markets were having a good month, Brexit talks were stagnant. Having been to Florence in September, Mrs May went to Brussels
Whilst many in the media focus on that speech, there are plenty of other issues coming out of the Conservative Party Conference last month.