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On Friday, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng delivered what was billed as a Mini Budget, but there was nothing mini about it. In the face of inflation hitting multi-decade highs and having already announced an energy bill bailout for households and businesses estimated to cost £60 billion through to April alone, Kwarteng unveiled the largest tax cutting […]

The conflict in Ukraine is becoming a war of attrition with no sign of an early settlement. How prepared are we for the consequences of a protracted conflict? The coming months will test Western resolve at home and abroad. Sanctions are starting to bite not just on Russia but on European economies and societies already […]

France has chosen its next President. The race between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen was tighter than in 2017 in a campaign disrupted by the war in Ukraine and its economic consequences, in which the traditional parties have been annihilated. This polarising election will have implications for France’s domestic policies, the future direction of […]

After more than a month, has the Russian invasion reached a turning point? Russian ministers have promised to curtail the assault on Kyiv, but have focused attacks on eastern Ukraine and declined to ease the humanitarian crisis in Mariupol. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine seem to have made some progress, but Western governments remain deeply […]

On Wednesday 23 March the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will deliver his Spring Statement. The crisis in Ukraine is combining with existing economic pressures to deliver what looks set to be the biggest hit to living standards in the UK in half a century. The Chancellor is under huge pressure to deliver a package that supports […]

The Russian attack on Ukraine grinds slowly on, with few military gains but growing humanitarian consequences. As sanctions ramp up, there has been more focus this week on limited negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, while top US and Chinese diplomats met in Rome and an extraordinary NATO summit is planned for next week. In this […]

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with serious humanitarian and political consequences. Two big themes this week have been the impact on energy supply and prices and the growing refugee crisis. Flint continues to follow military, political, diplomatic and economic events closely. In this Episode, Flint Managing Partner Sir Simon Fraser (Head of the UK Foreign […]

A week into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is now clear that the crisis will have long-lasting implications for businesses in many sectors, in addition to its severe human costs and political consequences. President Putin seems set to double down on his military action in the face of resistance. In response, Western governments’ positions […]

Events are unfolding rapidly in Ukraine. Beyond its deeply troubling humanitarian, security and political implications, Russia’s invasion will have far-reaching and potentially unpredictable consequences for businesses across a wide range of sectors. Understanding the implications of a deteriorating security situation, sanctions, and the possible constraints on energy and other commodities will be crucial when navigating […]

We enter 2022 amid great international uncertainty. Covid may be in retreat in the developed world, but not across the globe. High debt and inflation will make delivering on climate promises hard. Serious political and military tension has flared between Russia and the West over Ukraine. The China/US standoff persists. America is divided and Biden […]