London flexible office occupancy rates recover to pre-pandemic levels December 22, 2022 Flexible office spaces in central London have seen their occupancy rates recover to pre-pandemic levels, new data shows. A majority (86 per cent) of the world’s top 30 flexible workspace providers have seen now seen occupancy rates in their central London offices surpass levels of 60 per cent, a survey by Knight Frank shows. A [...]
FinTech sector asks UK government for more clarity in 2023 December 22, 2022 A group of UK based FinTech companies have written an open letter to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) calling for greater clarity on how open banking will be regulated from 2023 onwards. The letter criticizes the Joint Regulatory Oversight Committee (JROC), a regulatory body established in March by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The [...]
Laws, funds and CEOs: UK tech to see big changes in 2023 December 22, 2022 In 2023, London’s tech sector will see some big changes. From change in Vodafone leadership to the Online Safety Bill, here is a look ahead to the five big City stories to watch out for. Online Safety Bill As part of a move to a safer internet, the UK government is pressing for a comprehensive [...]
Crypto in 2022: It wasn’t all bad December 22, 2022 This year was turbulent, even by crypto standards. If the past twelve months have taught us anything it’s that crypto is still far from a mature asset class and time may be running out for the industry to prove itself as a functional and beneficial cog in our financial system. There are a number of [...]
East London construction firm fined over collapsed floor that left builder injured December 22, 2022 The UK’s health and safety regulator has fined a London construction firm £66,667 over its failure to prevent a builder falling through the floor of a half-built building in Croydon. East London construction firm Lusson Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after an overloaded floor collapsed at a building site on Croydon’s [...]
Apology after postal strikes meant just 16 per cent of energy vouchers redeemed December 22, 2022 Royal Mail has apologised after just 16 per cent of energy bill support scheme (EBSS) vouchers were delivered by post this December. The company which has been crippled by strikes this month said sorry after cold Brits were left in the lurch, unable to get hold of energy metre vouchers. Vouchers are claimed by customers [...]
Small businesses suffer with rising costs, Vodafone steps in to help December 22, 2022 Telecom giant Vodafone has announced a free broadband scheme to support UK based small business. Vodafone has said that it will give a year’s free broadband to small businesses signing up for a 24-month contract. This is accounting for the rising costs of living, inflation and impact on small businesses. 10per cent of UK small [...]
Insurance trade body seizes control of subsidiary by flooding City association’s board December 22, 2022 The world’s largest insurance trade body has made a push to take control of one of its subsidiaries, following an ongoing spat between the two groups. The takeover bid saw the head of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) hit out at its parent organisation, the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) over claims it had acted “unilaterally” [...]
Private sector activity declines for fifth consecutive quarter and outlook is bleak December 22, 2022 The private sector’s decline has continued for the fifth consecutive quarter, and outlook is bleak with it expected to fall even faster in the next three months. New figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed activity fell 13 per cent in the three months to December. This is a decline at a faster [...]
Deloitte fined £1.25m over failings in building supplies firm’s audit December 22, 2022 The UK’s accounting watchdog today fined Deloitte and one of its senior auditors over failures in auditing the accounts of building products manufacturer SIG plc. Britain’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) fined the Big Four accountancy firm £1.25m, discounted to £906,250 for admissions and early disposal, over its failure to apply sufficient professional scepticism in auditing [...]