In the UK this month, an exam algorithm fiasco dominated headlines while the ongoing pandemic saw European countries grapple with a resurge in cases, testing, restrictions and vaccine development. Let’s not forget several other key developments factoring into the work we do…

Brexit

David Frost, our chief negotiator, continues to meet with Michel Barnier, though he is taking on the National Security Adviser role from the end of this month and will, apparently, do both jobs until the EU negotiations are concluded.

News flow on Brexit has been quiet, so it’s clear that little media-worthy progress has been made. The 31 December deadline, when the current transition period ends, looms large.

The US Election

It will be an intense final few weeks as Trump bids for a second term against Joe Biden. Either way, a record will be set – the oldest person to be elected US president will be elected this November. Trump has the current record (70 years old at the time of his inauguration) and Biden is more than three years his senior. The Democratic convention is over. The Republican Convention starts next week. The debates start in late September. The election is 10 weeks away.

Government Debt

Finally (for the moment), it has not gone unnoticed that UK government debt tipped over £2 trillion in July, the first time it has been above 100% of GDP since 1960-61. Rishi Sunak’s spending schemes to support the UK economy are reflected in these borrowings. With interest rates so low, should we be borrowing more to kick-start our economy?

Lights, camera…

We’ll elaborate on these key issues in a video soon. If you have any questions you’d like us to consider please let us know.