- Boris Johnson says all Conservative candidates standing in the election back his Brexit deal
- CBI sees danger from left and right
- Stock markets mixed as investors await further news on trade
1.09pm GMT
Back to the CBI conference, where Jeremy Corbny has announced plans to create 320,000 new apprenticeships and reform the apprenticeship system.
The plans would give employers more flexibility in how they spend their apprenticeship levy funds, allowing them to be used for a wider range of accredited training opportunities, says Sophie Wingfield, head of policy and public affairs at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.
Giving employers more flexibility in how they spend their apprenticeship levy funds is the right call. The REC and many other businesses have been calling for the apprenticeship levy to be broadened for some time. The current system is too restrictive, and it also completely excludes the almost 1 million workers who are on flexible and temporary contracts.
We hope that Labour’s proposals will allow these workers to benefit from levy-funded training courses, and we will continue to campaign for this change. With a more flexible levy, we can improve training opportunities for flexible workers, address the country’s skills shortages, and boost productivity across the UK.
1.07pm GMT
The pound has held on to most of its gains against the dollar, trading up 0.44% at $1.2959. The latest polls have suggested a 10- to 17-point lead for the Conservative party. Sterling has also been boosted by Boris Johnson‘s comments at the weekend that all Conservative candidates in the election will support his Brexit deal.
Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will go head to head in tomorrow’s first TV debate, on ITV.
Assuming Tuesday’s debate between the two leaders provides no major upset, we also believe the risk of a Labour majority is low.
Source: Pound rises on Brexit deal optimism – business live
