BBC calls for an inflation link to its licence fee March 10, 2014 THE BBC is calling for its licence fee to be linked to inflation as the corporation considers the template for its future funding. A review led by John Tate, the BBC’s former head of strategy, looked at how it could be funded in 2020 – three years after the next round of funding talks with [...]
Interpol looks for answers on missing plane March 10, 2014 INTERPOL was yesterday trying to establish the identities of at least two passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight who were travelling on stolen passports. While the police agency said it was too soon to draw conclusions, it said the use of stolen passports was “clearly of great concern”. The passports, belonging to an Italian [...]
Clegg: I will lead Lib Dems no matter what happens in 2015 March 10, 2014 LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg will stay on as head of the party no matter what happens in the 2015 general election, his spokesperson has confirmed. A suggestion that the Deputy Prime Minister would step down if he failed to keep the Lib Dems in government was quashed yesterday, after Clegg gave a speech to [...]
Cameron pledges £45m to fund research into internet of things March 10, 2014 DAVID Cameron pledged yesterday to invest an further £45m on research into new technology that will allow electricity meters to communicate with the grid and water pipes to alert households when there is a fall in pressure. Opening a technology trade fair in Hanover with German chancellor Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister said the UK [...]
Moonpig owner is set for £500m listing in London March 10, 2014 PHOTOBOX is preparing for a London Stock Market listing that could value the photo printing group at up to £500m, after the £1.6bn flotation of online retailer AO World and upcoming flotation of Pets at Home whetted investors’ appetites for London retail stocks. The firm, which sells personalised t-shirts, mugs and cards as well as [...]
Shoppers saving up for luxuries at the expense of essential items March 10, 2014 SHOPPERS are splashing out on feel-good buys such as eating out and clothes rather than essential items as the recovery takes hold. Meanwhile spending on DIY is booming as the housing market continues to climb. Data from Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the UK’s debit and credit transactions, found restaurant and clothing sales were [...]
Property to join milk on sale at grocer Morrison March 10, 2014 SUPERMARKET chain William Morrison is this week set to sweeten its drop in profits with a property sell-off that could raise £500m for investors. The grocery giant, which has already said its Christmas sales were disappointing, is forecast to report annual pre-tax profits of between £734m and £805m, down from £879m in 2013 and the [...]
Bottom Line: Price wars can come and go but real estate is permanent March 10, 2014 FOUR pints of milk and a warehouse near Stockton-on-Tees, please. Morrisons’ latest special offers will be welcomed by shoppers and property buyers alike, though the latter have a bit longer to enjoy the spoils of the investment. Cutting the price of everyday groceries doesn’t look like a sustainable strategy on its own for Morrisons, with [...]
Terence Conran cedes control of business to son March 10, 2014 SIR TERENCE Conran has handed over full control of his design empire to his son Jasper, to focus on his work with the Design Museum and expanding his chain of Albion cafes. The 82 year-old designer, restaurateur and founder of the Habitat brand has stepped down as chairman of Conran Holdings but will remain on [...]
Barcodes to make energy switching easier March 10, 2014 CONSUMERS could soon scan a barcode on their energy bills to hunt for better offers, after the government launched a consultation today on whether to print quick response (QR) codes on paper bills. The idea is that customers can scan the square barcodes – currently used at bus stops to find timetables and to verify [...]