This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38677505

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
May's 'positive discussions' with banks May's 'positive discussion' with banks
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has had "positive discussions" with big banks about how they might be encouraged to stay in the the City of London. Prime Minister Theresa May has had "positive discussion" with big banks about how they might be encouraged to stay in the the City of London.
They talked about what had attracted them to London and "how we can continue to build on that for the future," Mrs May told the BBC's economics editor Kamal Ahmed, in Davos.They talked about what had attracted them to London and "how we can continue to build on that for the future," Mrs May told the BBC's economics editor Kamal Ahmed, in Davos.
Her remarks came as several big banks said they may move jobs out of London.Her remarks came as several big banks said they may move jobs out of London.
Both HSBC and UBS have said they could relocate about 1,000 staff.Both HSBC and UBS have said they could relocate about 1,000 staff.
Mrs May was asked if she was disappointed that it was becoming clear that there was a price to Brexit.Mrs May was asked if she was disappointed that it was becoming clear that there was a price to Brexit.
"I want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union which will give us the maximum access, the right deal for Britain, maximum access to the single European market for trading with and operating within that market for both goods and services," she said."I want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union which will give us the maximum access, the right deal for Britain, maximum access to the single European market for trading with and operating within that market for both goods and services," she said.
"I think that's not just in the interests of the UK, I think that's in the interests of the European Union as well," she added."I think that's not just in the interests of the UK, I think that's in the interests of the European Union as well," she added.
Mrs May said she had had a "very good positive discussion with banks about the benefits of the City of London, about what it is that has brought them to the City of London and how we can continue to build on that for the future".
There were "huge benefits" for investment in the UK, Mrs May added, which she said had a "fundamentally very strong economy".
She said the service sector was very important to the UK and that she believed that "truly global Britain can bring jobs and prosperity to the UK across the board, including in financial services".
"Difficult"
Earlier, Mrs May told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK will be a "world leader" on trade.Earlier, Mrs May told leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the UK will be a "world leader" on trade.
But the prime minister also warned that inequality blamed on globalisation was aiding the "politics of division".But the prime minister also warned that inequality blamed on globalisation was aiding the "politics of division".
Her speech to business leaders and politicians in Switzerland came after EU leaders said a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK would be "difficult".Her speech to business leaders and politicians in Switzerland came after EU leaders said a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK would be "difficult".
The prime minister promised that the UK after Brexit would take on a "leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for free markets and free trade anywhere in the world".The prime minister promised that the UK after Brexit would take on a "leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for free markets and free trade anywhere in the world".
She argued for reforms so the global economy created wealth for all, rather than a "privileged few", and "centre-ground mainstream politics" could "work for everyone".She argued for reforms so the global economy created wealth for all, rather than a "privileged few", and "centre-ground mainstream politics" could "work for everyone".