Ellen Milligan
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Ellen Milligan
@ellenmilligan.bsky.social
450 followers 92 following 17 posts
Political Correspondent for @bloomberg.com covering UK foreign policy and defence. Email: emilligan11@bloomberg.net
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Reposted by Ellen Milligan
ukandeu.bsky.social
🌹Got your agenda sorted for Labour Party Conference?

Don't miss our panel on the future of UK-EU relations with the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, @jillongovt.bsky.social, @jannikewachowiak.bsky.social, @ellenmilligan.bsky.social, @almutm.bsky.social & Tobias Cremer MEP

📍Mon 29 Sept, 11:15am, Hilton Hotel
September 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
europressos.bsky.social
❗️NEW Spain obtains powers in permits for Gibraltar
Special role is foreseen for Madrid in issuing visas, residence & asylum, EC told us.
Gibraltar could only grant visas for limited cases & will keep a say in asylum, we’re told.

With @ellenmilligan.bsky.social

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Spain Gets New Powers Over Visas, Residence Permits in Gibraltar
The European Union and UK agreed to give Spain new powers over the issuance of residency permits, visas and asylum in Gibraltar, as part of an accord to settle the post-Brexit border arrangements for ...
www.bloomberg.com
June 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Years of underinvestment, botched contracts and poor recruitment have hollowed out what was once a military superpower, forcing the UK to confront the hard reality of rebuilding its defences.

Our big paywall-free feature is out today:

www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
UK Confronts Hard Reality of Rebuilding Its Military Prowess
Years of underinvestment, botched contracts and poor recruitment have hollowed out what was once a superpower.
www.bloomberg.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
europressos.bsky.social
❗️NEW: UK has signaled to EU an openness to accept the dynamic alignment of rules on agrifood standard and oversight of EU court on this in signal of growing closeness between both sides, we’re told
By @ellenmilligan.bsky.social, @albertonardelli.bsky.social & me

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Signals Openness to EU Court Oversight of Key Food Checks
The UK is prepared to retain some regulatory alignment with the European Union and accept supervision of the bloc’s court over a deal to cut checks on imports of foods and agricultural products, a mov...
www.bloomberg.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
alexwickham.bsky.social
Bloomberg Saturday read

Trump crisis sets Starmer a defining test of leadership

With @ellenmilligan.bsky.social >>>

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Starmer Faces Defining Moment in Campaign to Sway Trump
The last time Keir Starmer crossed the Atlantic to meet Donald Trump the British prime minister needed to show he could avoid a personality clash with the once and future president. The stakes are con...
www.bloomberg.com
February 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
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...
UK Military Chiefs Warn Treasury 2.5% Spending Goal Falls Short
UK 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...
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
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...
Reeves Gives Whitehall Departments ‘Flat Cash’ Austerity Warning
The 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.
www.bloomberg.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
lucygjwhite.bsky.social
The prospect of a US-EU trade war is causing worries in Northern Ireland. Some fear it cd reopen Brexit wounds, as EU tariff retaliation would likely mean tariffs on US imports to NI - but not GB. Story with @oliviafletcher.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Northern Ireland Sizes Up Exposure to Trump Trade War With EU
Donald Trump’s trade war is threatening to open fresh Brexit wounds in Northern Ireland.
www.bloomberg.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Scoop with @pronouncedalva.bsky.social:

The government is considering making households who exclusively use streaming services like Netflix + Disney pay the BBC licence fee.

It's one of a series of options being looked at to modernize the way the BBC is funded

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Considers Making Netflix Users Pay License Fee to Fund BBC
The UK is considering making households who only use streaming services such as Netflix and Disney pay the BBC license fee, as part of plans to modernize the way it funds the public-service broadcaste...
www.bloomberg.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
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...
How Rachel Reeves Decided UK Needs to Bet Big on Economic Growth
Soon 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...
www.bloomberg.com
January 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
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...
Starmer Faces Labour Party Split Over Heathrow Airport Expansion Plan
Keir 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 ...
www.bloomberg.com
January 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
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...
UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth
Keir 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...
www.bloomberg.com
January 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
alexwickham.bsky.social
European officials are increasingly optimistic Trump won’t completely pull the plug on Ukraine, after private talks

Bloomberg pre-inauguration deep dive with @ellenmilligan.bsky.social and team >>> www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Europe Grows More Optimistic Trump Won’t Abandon Ukraine
Ukraine’s European allies have become cautiously optimistic that US President-elect Donald Trump won’t force Kyiv into premature negotiations with Russia.
www.bloomberg.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
NEW: Keir Starmer will travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks for the first time since becoming PM.

He's expected to discuss the possibility of British troops participating in a post-war peacekeeping force in Ukraine:

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Keir Starmer to Visit Ukraine to Discuss Postwar Peacekeeping Force
Keir Starmer will travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of deploying an international peacekeeping force there after the conflict with Russia has ended, his first visit to t...
www.bloomberg.com
January 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
New: The UK will tell Mauritius it's open to front-loading payments as part of a sweetened Chagos deal in fresh talks this week

No more money will be offered but the UK could pay the 1st tranche upfront or condense the annual payments so more is paid earlier:

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Weighs Front-Loading Payments for Mauritius in Chagos Deal
The UK is considering front-loading its funding package for Mauritius as part of a sweetened deal ceding sovereignty of the Chagos islands, including a key UK-US military base, to the Indian Ocean nat...
www.bloomberg.com
January 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Big news from my old financial crime beat: A British trader has been sentenced (while wearing a xmas elf hat) to 12 years in Danish prison for orchestrating a billion-dollar tax scam www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Video investigation w/ @donalgriffin.bsky.social : www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHfL...
How An Unemployed Trader Became a $700 Million Exile
YouTube video by Bloomberg Originals
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2024 at 3:48 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
New: Keir Starmer will attend a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels in February, focused on defence cooperation

It follows two Bloomberg scoops on the UK eyeing access to the EU’s weapons fund + EU members wanting to accelerate talks on a joint defence pact after Trump’s election
December 12, 2024 at 2:26 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
New: LGBT veterans who suffered decades of homophobic abuse will be compensated by up to £70,000 each, totaling £75 million

Many of them endured electric-shock conversion therapy, blackmail + sexual assault, as I revealed in a series of stories last year

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Gives £75 Million to Veterans Who Faced Decades of Homophobia
The UK government set aside £75 million ($96 million) for gay veterans who suffered decades of homophobic abuse in the British military, a 50% increase on previously-planned compensation.
www.bloomberg.com
December 12, 2024 at 7:45 AM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Scoop: The UK is considering participating in a €1.5 billion defence fund the EU is setting up to allow British firms to bid for funding. Rachel Reeves told commissioner Piotr Serafin yesterday that the UK is open to joining the European Defence Investment Program.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Explores Joining €1.5 billion EU Fund to Boost Defense Sector
The UK is considering participating in a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) fund being set up by the European Union to bolster the regional defense industry, people familiar with the matter said.
www.bloomberg.com
December 10, 2024 at 5:49 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Scoop with @alexwickham.bsky.social:

The UK is in talks with Germany to expand a passport/visa-free deal with France for school visits

It’s one of the first tangible outcomes of the EU reset, with other member states eyeing similar deals

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Starmer Looks to Revive Post-Brexit School Trips From Europe
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to smooth post-Brexit travel requirements for school trips from individual European nations, in what would be one of the first tangible outcomes of his proposed ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
alexwickham.bsky.social
Story with @ellenmilligan.bsky.social

UK warns Assad’s downfall could trigger another migration crisis at it suspends asylum claims for Syrians

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Warns Assad Downfall Could Trigger European Migration Crisis
Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power in Syria could spark a fresh migration crisis across Europe, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned, as Britain paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims.
www.bloomberg.com
December 9, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
alexwickham.bsky.social
NEW: Bloomberg Saturday read

Keir Starmer has triggered alarm across Labour over his poor performance in his first 5 months as PM, after Thursday’s reset speech flopped

His party wants bolder policies, a clearer purpose and much sharper messaging

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Starmer Triggers Labour Alarm After Early Reset Bid Falls Flat
Keir Starmer is facing calls from across his Labour Party for bolder policies and sharper messaging to reconnect with voters, after a major speech aimed at rebooting his stuttering UK premiership flop...
www.bloomberg.com
December 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
Mine + @alexwickham.bsky.social’s take on Starmer’s speech:

The immediate confusion over his messaging + whether these milestones are consistent with previous pledges shows he has more to do to overcome teething problems already at risk of defining his government

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Starmer Reset Bid Underscores UK Government’s Early Struggles
Keir Starmer pledged to fast-track the approval of at least 150 major infrastructure projects as one of a series of milestones he wants his new UK government to measured by, as the prime minister trie...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Ellen Milligan
alexwickham.bsky.social
New: Keir Starmer foreign policy speech tonight

He says for the first time the Russia-Ukraine war will need a negotiated settlement

And that he won’t choose between Trump and EU

But PM again v v light on detail or strategy…

With @ellenmilligan.bsky.social

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Won’t Choose Between Trump and European Allies, Starmer Says
The UK doesn’t need to trade off its special relationship with the US against its European alliances, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, despite concern that President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to to ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2024 at 9:21 PM
ellenmilligan.bsky.social
New: Starmer says the UK doesn’t need to trade off its relationship with the US under Trump against its European alliances:
 
“The idea that we must choose between our allies, that somehow we’re with either America or Europe, is plain wrong: I reject it utterly”

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Won’t Choose Between Trump and European Allies, Starmer Says
The UK doesn’t need to trade off its special relationship with the US against its European alliances, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, despite concern that President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to to ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2024 at 9:24 PM