Philip Hammond flies to New York to reassure Wall Street power-brokers London will keep its position as the world’s leading financial centre post-Brexit
Chancellor’s first US trip since taking over at Treasury sees him seek to allay fears over the impact of the EU referendum
PHILIP Hammond has flown to New York to try and reassure Wall Street power-brokers London will keep its position as the world's leading financial centre after Brexit.
The Chancellor’s first US trip since taking over at the Treasury sees him seek to allay fears over the impact of the historic EU referendum decision before heading to an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington DC.
Mr Hammond is insisting he wants a Brexit deal with Brussels which will ensure good access to European markets for UK-based financial services.
The Chancellor is meeting the leaders of international banks and other financial services companies, before private talks with industry representatives while in Washington.
He will meet leaders from Citi, BNY Mellon, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and others - who together employ more than 25,000 people in the UK.
Mr Hammond is saying: "One of Britain's great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs.
“This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum result and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the world's leading international financial centre.
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"Whether it's British employers or US firms who support thousands of highly-skilled jobs in the financial sector, we are listening and taking the time to understand the issues thoroughly, in advance of opening negotiations with the EU.
"We will continue to welcome the best and brightest talent and organisations from around the world, including the US. While the Government has not finalised its future approach to our relations with the EU, the Government's position is clear, we want the best deal for trade in UK goods and services, including our world leading financial services industry."
His trip comes as a major change in economic policy away from quantitative easing is expected to be announced in Mr Hammond’s Autumn Statement, with Theresa May having criticised its "bad side effects".
The Prime Minister is said to be backing a move away from monetary policy like quantitative easing and low interest rates towards more fiscal measures, such as tax and spending.
Reports on BBC Newsnight suggest the policy could be unveiled in next month’s policy statement, which was seemingly confirmed by Tory MP George Freeman, chairman of the Theresa May’s policy board.
Mr Freeman told Newsnight: "Philip Hammond is going to set this out in the Autumn Statement, but Theresa has been very clear this model of the emergency QE package, bail out the banks, stabilise the economy, has had a very profound effect on distribution of wealth.
"Those with assets have done very much better than those without. We have to listen to the roar that we heard this year."