Scottish independence referendum: IMF warns Yes vote could hit financial markets September 12, 2014 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has weighed into the debate on Scottish independence warning there could be significant market uncertainty if Scots vote to leave the union. IMF spokesman William Murray said: The main immediate effect is likely to be uncertainty over the transition to potentially new and different monetary, financial and fiscal frameworks in [...]
Oscar Pistorius awaits sentence after being found guilty of culpable homicide September 12, 2014 Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of the culpable homicide of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The verdict follows after the former Olympian and Paralympian was found not guilty murder and premeditated murder by a South African judge yesterday. Judge Thokozile Maispa said Pistorius had acted negligently on the night of the victim's death [...]
Scottish independence: Former Sainsbury’s boss warns of higher prices if there’s a Yes vote September 12, 2014 In a fresh blow for the pro-independence campaign, the former CEO of Sainsbury's Justin King has warned Scots they will pay higher prices in the shops if they vote to abandon the union of 18 September. Speaking to the BBC's Robert Peston, King said: It is more expensive to do business in Scotland today. Business [...]
JD Wetherspoon share price up as boss claims VAT “biggest danger to pubs” September 12, 2014 JD Wetherspoon has reported record sales and profit in its full-year results, yet founder and chairman Tim Martin has described the government's VAT on pubs as a danger to the industry. Shares in the company have risen 1.31 per cent in early morning trading. Profit before tax and after exceptional items was up [...]
Most bank branches could close over the next 10 to 20 years September 11, 2014 Most bank branches could close over the next 10 to 20 years, shaking up the whole landscape of British banking – and the high street – industry analysts predicted yesterday. In a decade, a bank could serve the whole UK with just 500 branches, Deutsche Bank analysts forecast. Right now Lloyds Banking Group has more [...]
What’s in a name? Salesforce set to lose battle to rename Heron Tower September 11, 2014 The controversial renaming of Heron Tower to Salesforce Tower is set to be abandoned after the owners of the City skyscraper agreed this week to withdraw the application. The parties involved are understood to be close to reaching an agreement that will see the building called simply 110 Bishopsgate, its street name, with existing name [...]
Scottish independence: Boost for No as Alex Salmond’s economic plan torn apart September 11, 2014 An influential thinktank yesterday tore apart Alex Salmond’s economic plan for an independent Scotland, warning that a Yes vote will make it harder to protect public spending from cuts. The blow to Salmond’s case for independence came as a number of high-profile UK retailers and banks added their names to a growing list citing concerns [...]
Amazon planning to more than double its workforce in London September 11, 2014 Online retail giant Amazon has signed a deal to open a huge office around the corner from Silicon Roundabout, where it will more than double its current total UK corporate workforce to more than 5,000 employees. Amazon’s new home will be Principal Place, a massive development between Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations, which [...]
EU leaders give green light to Russia sanctions September 11, 2014 EUROPEAN leaders have agreed a plan to enact tough new sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. The decision was made yesterday morning and the sanctions, which are expected to further restrict the import of dual-use goods, restrict bank loans and make it harder for Russia to do business with the EU on oil [...]
Next profits up after recovery spurs spending September 11, 2014 NEXT yesterday reported strong half-year profits, fuelled by the economic recovery, rising house prices and higher household spending. Total sales were 10.3 per cent stronger than for the same period last year and pre-tax profits rose 19.3 per cent to £324.2m, compared with £271.8m a year earlier. But the fashion and home retailer said it [...]