Alex Wickham

Alex Wickham

@alexwickham.bsky.social

Political Editor at Bloomberg in London

8.9K followers137 following218 posts

Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW: Ukrainian and European officials have told the US that a ceasefire and clarity on security guarantees for Kyiv should precede any peace deal with Russia involving negotiations over territory, sources tell @albertonardelli.bsky.social, Daryna Krasnolutska & me www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUkraine, Europe Insist Russia Truce Must Precede Any Land DealUkraine and its European allies have told the US that a ceasefire and clarity on security guarantees for Kyiv should precede any peace deal with Russia that involves negotiations about territory, acco...

Alex Wickham reposted

Alberto Nardelli
@albertonardelli.bsky.social

The US is prepared to accept Vladimir Putin’s demands to recognize Russia’s control over the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, a move that would undermine international law and treaties www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUS Open to Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Ukraine Peace DealThe US is prepared to recognize Russian control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, according to people familiar with the matter.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive: Chinese drones were used to survey UK critical national infrastructure including National Grid substations and Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, going against official advice from MI5 and raising concerns from government officials www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Raises Alarm on Chinese Drones Used to Survey Sensitive SitesUK government officials have raised private concerns that Chinese-manufactured drones are being used to take high resolution images of critical national infrastructure sites in the UK, going against g...

Alex Wickham reposted

Ailbhe Rea
@pronouncedalva.bsky.social

Scoop: The government is "very seriously considering" nationalising Chinese-owned British Steel, two sources tell Bloomberg, as it scrambles to save the last UK steelmaker from closure. w/ @alexwickham.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Considers Taking Over China-Owned British Steel to Save PlantThe UK is seriously considering nationalizing Jingye Group’s British Steel, as ministers rush to rescue the country’s last steelmaker from the prospect of permanent closure.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive: Trump’s tariffs have put the UK and EU back on course for a reset deal in May Progress made on defence/security Desire for an elegant solution on fish Youth visa scheme and more on table With @albertonardelli.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comTrump’s Tariffs Put UK Back on Course for EU Reset Deal in MayThe UK and European Union are optimistic about striking a deal to reset post-Brexit relations at a summit in May, as President Donald Trump’s tariffs and policy on the Russia-Ukraine war spur calls fo...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive: US officials today told the UK they’re open to talking about Britain’s proposal to reduce tariffs below 10%, but they also warned Trump may decide that number is his permanent baseline for all countries. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Gets Mixed Signals From US on Whether 10% Tariff Is PermanentUS officials have told their UK counterparts they’ll discuss Britain’s proposal to reduce tariffs below 10%, but warned them President Donald Trump may decide that number is his permanent baseline for...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW: US officials are frustrated Russia isn’t sticking to commitments it’s made, sources tell @natdroz.bsky.social @albertonardelli.bsky.social and me Officials from the US and Europe suggest Putin is playing games and wonder how long Trump will tolerate it www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comEurope Sees Putin Forcing Trump Into a Tough Choice on UkraineDonald Trump is soon going to be faced with a difficult decision in his push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to some European and US officials briefed on his team’s negotiations with the Kre...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW The moment is now approaching where Donald Trump faces a choice: stand up to Putin or make major concessions to Russia to stop the fighting, senior European officials said. State of play with @albertonardelli.bsky.social and team >>> www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comEurope Sees Putin Forcing Trump Into a Tough Choice on UkraineEuropean officials say that Donald Trump is soon going to be faced with a difficult decision in his push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with Bloomberg colleagues: Vladimir Putin is demanding a suspension of all weapons deliveries to Ukraine during any ceasefire, according to people with knowledge of the matter. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comPutin Is Said to Want All Arms to Ukraine Halted for Trump TruceRussian President Vladimir Putin is demanding a suspension of all weapons deliveries to Ukraine during a ceasefire proposed by US counterpart Donald Trump, according to people with knowledge of the ma...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE — Vladimir Putin has made deliberately maximalist demands ahead of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, which he knows are likely to be unacceptable to Kyiv and Europe, Western security officials told Bloomberg. With @albertonardelli.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comWestern Officials Say Putin Knows His Ukraine Terms Won’t Be MetWestern security officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention to compromise on demands on land, peacekeepers and Ukraine’s neutrality in any peace talks, complicating President Don...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive details from Sunday’s summit: *UK forging Europe Plus coalition *Canada in talks to join *Trump admin made private asks post Zelenskiy, inc he apologises *one camp in White House is extremely anti-Ze, others more measured *WH expect Ze to go after deal www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comEurope Races to Craft Plan to Save Zelenskiy and US SupportUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders used a security summit in London to demonstrate broad support for Ukraine. Behind the scenes, though, they were scrambling to get Volodymyr Ze...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Brilliant and must-read piece by @albertonardelli.bsky.social Europe’s nightmare is here. The continent is confronting its worst-case scenario: that it may have to fight Putin alone www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comEurope’s Nightmare Is Here: They Have to Fight Putin Without the USThe Oval Office blow up between Zelenskiy and Trump laid bare for many Europeans that something critical has broken in their relationship with Washington
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW: Keir Starmer will today tell European leaders to get real on defence spending, military support and security guarantees for Ukraine He’ll tell them the “brutal reality” is their “carefully crafted speeches” are not enough and they need action now www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comStarmer to Urge Europe to Face New Reality After Zelenskiy TalksKeir Starmer will tell European leaders that they need to face the “brutal reality” and increase defense spending, as the British prime minister seeks to use his line into the White House to keep the ...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

** NEW: The Trump administration has made clear it wants a public apology from Zelenskiy to mend relations after the Oval Office row, sources say In latest Bloomberg story here >>> www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comBritain’s Starmer Makes Last-Ditch Bid to Salvage Ukraine TalksAfter the spectacular, televised falling out between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, another leader — watching on an ocean away — decided to roll the dice. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pi...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with @albertonardelli.bsky.social UK Plans European Leaders’ Meeting to Talk Ukraine and Defense Could be as soon as Sunday to debrief Trump convos www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Plans European Leaders’ Meeting to Talk Ukraine and DefenseThe UK is in discussions to convene a group of European leaders for further talks about Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter, following a week of shuttle diplomacy bet...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive The US will commit to a “free, sovereign and secure” Ukraine and a “lasting peace” as part of a minerals deal that now appears imminent, according to a recent draft text seen by Bloomberg US will agree a “durable partnership” between Washington and Kyiv www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUkraine, US Closing In on Deal Over Nation’s Mineral ResourcesUkraine is in the final stages of talks with the US over a deal to give Washington a cut of the country’s natural mineral resources, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said on Monday.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with @ellenmilligan.bsky.social Military chiefs have told Keir Starmer he needs to raise defense spending to 2.5% as soon as possible before 2030, then ramp it up further toward 3% in the years after. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Military Chiefs Seek Budget Equal to 2.5% of GDP Before 2030British military chiefs have advised Prime Minister Keir Starmer to accelerate plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of economic output, according to people familiar with the matter, as urgency g...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with @ellenmilligan.bsky.social in Munich Donald Trump’s administration has told the UK and EU it wants them to buy American weapons, military equipment and energy in order to maintain the NATO alliance, sources say www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comTrump Tells Europe to Buy American Arms to Keep NATO StrongPresident Donald Trump’s administration has told allies in the UK and Europe that it wants them to buy American weapons and military equipment in order to maintain the NATO alliance, European official...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with @ellenmilligan.bsky.social Military chiefs have told Starmer and Reeves that raising defence spending to 2.5% will only see UK capabilities “stand still” Improving the military will require a significant uplift beyond that, they’ve said privately www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Military Chiefs Warn Treasury 2.5% Spending Goal Falls ShortUK defense chiefs have privately warned the government that plans to raise military funding to 2.5% of economic output won’t be enough, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to make a budget decisio...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Top exclusive by @philaldrick.bsky.social @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @joemayes.bsky.social Reeves in the red after the OBR downgraded its growth forecast to the Treasury last week While bond market moves have stabilised, growth downgrade is a bigger problem www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves Is in the Red After UK Watchdog Downgrades Growth CallRachel Reeves faces a new risk of having to make spending cuts after the UK government’s fiscal watchdog downgraded its growth forecast, leaving Britain’s finance minister scrambling to meet her budge...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive: Heathrow airport will unveil a short-term expansion plan including a timely commitment to prioritize British steel under threat from Donald Trump’s tariffs, offering the hub a potential boost before a third runway is built. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comHeathrow to Unveil Faster Expansion, Vow to Prioritize UK SteelLondon’s Heathrow airport will unveil a short-term expansion plan including a timely commitment to prioritize British steel under threat from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, offering the hub a po...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Story on why the UK govt wants to do the Chagos deal, why Diego Garcia is so important, and the agreement secured with Mauritius that officials say would keep China out >>> Exclusive: Control of US-UK Military Satellite System Is Key to Chagos Deal www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comControl of US-UK Military Satellite System Is Key to Chagos DealA satellite communications system used by the US and UK to run military operations is central to efforts by Britain to resolve the sovereignty of the Chagos islands, UK security officials familiar wit...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

“The chancellor has spoken previously about getting value for money,” the PM’s spokesman says when asked about this @bloomberg.com story. Says No10 will not provide a running commentary ahead of spending review negotiations.

Alex Wickham@alexwickham.bsky.social

Treasury has told unprotected depts to prepare for ‘flat cash’ budgets at spending review Would mean big cuts after inflation Likely worst-case model in event of another bond rout But threatens austerity 2.0 w/ @philaldrick.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves Gives Whitehall Departments ‘Flat Cash’ Austerity WarningThe UK Treasury has told several government departments to prepare for their budgets to be frozen in cash terms ahead of a major spending review planned in June.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Treasury has told unprotected depts to prepare for ‘flat cash’ budgets at spending review Would mean big cuts after inflation Likely worst-case model in event of another bond rout But threatens austerity 2.0 w/ @philaldrick.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves Gives Whitehall Departments ‘Flat Cash’ Austerity WarningThe UK Treasury has told several government departments to prepare for their budgets to be frozen in cash terms ahead of a major spending review planned in June.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Bloomberg Saturday read: Rachel Reeves races to find a growth miracle before the next election Her speech was broadly welcomed by business But executives, economists, Labour MPs and aides ask if it’s enough to turn the economy around this year www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves Races to Find UK Growth Miracle Before Next ElectionRachel Reeves’ core message in her relaunch speech on Wednesday was that the UK needed to go “further and faster” in the pursuit of economic growth. But her approach left businesses and some members o...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW: Read this from @philaldrick.bsky.social on Rachel Reeves’ speech today Business welcomes the chancellor’s promise to build Britain back to growth, but it won’t happen fast www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves’ Heathrow-Fueled Growth Plan Will Take Years to Get Off GroundRachel Reeves reached far and wide as she sought to revive the UK’s flagging economy with wind turbines, roads, airports, railways, trade deals, and proposed reforms to pensions, planning and the welf...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Some Cabinet ministers are questioning whether proposed expansion to Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton would have the growth impact intended, @pronouncedalva.bsky.social reports >>> www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comCabinet Doubts Linger Over Boost From Reeves’ UK Airport PlanUK cabinet ministers are questioning whether a proposed expansion of London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports would have the growth impact intended, as tensions brew within government over Chance...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

How Rachel Reeves Decided UK Needs to Bet Big on Economic Growth With @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social @joemayes.bsky.social >>> www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comHow Rachel Reeves Decided UK Needs to Bet Big on Economic GrowthSoon after her UK budget on Oct. 30, as economic sentiment plummeted and businesses protested higher taxes, an under-pressure Rachel Reeves had one key message for Treasury officials: “We need to go f...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Keir Starmer tells Bloomberg he is “putting builders first, not the blockers” as he announces curbs on judicial reviews delaying major infrastructure projects PM says he’s “disarming the NIMBYs who are hell-bent on slowing down our progress as a nation” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comStarmer to Curb UK Court Challenges to ‘Disarm the NIMBYs’Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to prevent legal challenges from causing delays to major infrastructure projects, in the latest effort by the UK government to convince investors and bu...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

NEW: Rachel Reeves Bloomberg interview in Davos Asked about Heathrow rebels, chancellor says: “The answer can’t always be no” “This was the problem with the last govt” Clearest indication yet that she’ll back airport expansion and face down internal Labour opposition

Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

New: The UK’s budget deficit has soared more than forecast Big overshoot. Deficit was £17.8 billion in December, was estimated to be £14.2b Driven by debt costs Highlights the fiscal challenge facing Reeves www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Budget Deficit Soars More Than Forecast on Debt CostsDebt costs pushed up UK government borrowing more than forecast last month, highlighting the fiscal challenges facing Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Keir Starmer faces a damaging Labour split over expansion plans for Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton Sadiq Khan says he will launch a fresh legal challenge. Cabinet divided and feel bounced by Treasury Story with @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social > www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comStarmer Faces Labour Party Split Over Heathrow Airport Expansion PlanKeir Starmer’s plans to green-light a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport risk triggering a damaging split within his governing Labour Party amid concerns that extend into his own cabinet about ...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

New: The next big problem for the govt The City warns Reeves that simply tweaking spending plans to add in more delayed cuts (the trick the Tories used to get round the fiscal rules) will struggle to convince investors and risk an adverse market response www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comReeves Warned Investors Won’t Believe in Future Spending CutsChancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will struggle to convince the City of her fiscal credibility if she announces more delayed spending restraint, having already sought to move politically contr...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Exclusive with @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth Gatwick, Luton projects also set for approval As well as Lower Thames Crossing and Universal Studios theme park www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for GrowthKeir Starmer’s government is preparing to approve controversial expansions to three London airports as part of a push to spur growth that’s become more urgent this month after international markets ca...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

The new kaleidoscopic No10 comms grid now has a record 8 (eight) different colour-coded sub-sections to cover all the missions and foundations, with 8 colours including 2 shades of blue and 2 shades of purple At least means it should be easier to sneak your announcement thru

Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

🚨 NEW: UK mortgage borrowers are now £500-a-year worse off than before the Reeves budget as a result of turbulence in the bond market 5-year fixed rate mortgages have hit 5.3%, the highest in 5 months Means those remortgaging this year face a big hit www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Market Turbulence Pushes Mortgage Costs to Five-Month HighThe cost of the UK’s most popular mortgages has risen to the highest level since August, risking a £500 ($609) annual hit for borrowers, as the turbulence that’s gripped the government debt market fee...
Alex Wickham
@alexwickham.bsky.social

Damning assessment of Rachel Reeves’ new Office for Value for Money by the Treasury select committee “the Office for Value for Money is an understaffed, poorly defined organisation which has been set up with a vague remit and no clear plan” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.comUK Lawmakers Warn Reeves’ Cost Savings Drive May Fall FlatUK lawmakers have raised doubts over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ plan to cut down on wasteful spending, warning that a new efficiencies unit is understaffed and has little time to achie...