Good morning. The FTSE is expected to open moderately higher today, as UK firms are more upbeat about the economy than at any time since 2016 and an extended rally in Asian stocks.
The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer shows that optimism rose 5pc to 37 this month, a level last reached before the Brexit referendum. Overall business confidence also climbed to a three-year high.
5 things to start your day
1) British industries could be protected from polluting imports by border carbon tax: Johnson is considering plans for a carbon tax on imports from polluting industries in a move that could protect UK farmers from foreign rivals.
2) ‘Culture of fear’ prevents junior auditors from speaking up: A culture of fear, long working hours and a high pressure environment discourages junior auditors from raising concerns, a report has found.
3) Rural broadband boosted as BT’s Openreach doubles full-fibre target: Openreach plans to shoulder the cost of delivering full-fibre to an extra 3m premises in some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the UK.
