No Brexit karma in Delhi: Whisky and visas increasingly complicate £27bn trade deal between UK and India October 18, 2022 The 24 October deadline set by Boris Johnson for finalising the UK–India trade deal will be missed after both parties have hit a roadblock in discussions. Although a detailed reason hasn’t been given by both sides, sticking points include a steep import duty on British whisky for sale in India, and demands for more visas for [...]
US prepares to sell from emergency reserves to dampen oil prices October 18, 2022 The White House is preparing to offload oil from its strategic reserves in a late bid to dampen fuel prices and ease the cost of living.
Experts say energy bills will stay high despite gas price slump October 18, 2022 Don't expect energy bills to revert to normal levels this winter, warn experts, despite the recent easing of gas prices.
Four venture trusts bag £45m in start-up vote of confidence October 18, 2022 Four venture capital trusts have bagged £45m from investors in just 24 hours in a vote of confidence for the vehicles after ministers reversed a decision to wind them down.
Fast food fears: Warning of Christmas shortages if 600 supply workers strike October 18, 2022 There could be major food shortages this Christmas at many of Brits’ favourite eat-outs due to strike action. Almost 600 workers for Bestfood, which delivers fresh produce to some of the country’s most-loved chains, are threatening industrial action. The workers are members of the GMB Union, and “bust a gut” to keep outlets such as [...]
Government should axe apprenticeship levy and forge skills body, says CBI exec October 18, 2022 The government should axe its levy on apprenticeships, the head of skills at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said, as the UK wrestles with STEM skills shortages and shrinking talent pools. Speaking to the science and technology Lords committee in parliament yesterday, the CBI’s Robert West urged that an independent government taskforce to [...]
The Bank of England: From whatever it takes to whatever it breaks October 18, 2022 Markets have responded positively to the effective cancellation of Kwasi Kwartang’s ‘mini-budget’ from 23 September that new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced yesterday. However, it remains clear that the Bank of England is more focussed on the longer-term implications of inflation. The Old Lady confirmed it is no longer willing to offer unending support to markets. [...]
‘How dare they?’: Klarna chief hits back at critics of Deliveroo deal October 18, 2022 The UK chief of buy-now pay-later firm Klarna has mounted a defence of the firm’s tie-up with Deliveroo today after claims from debt campaigners that the deal will plunge struggling Brits into debt.
Khan: Crossrail’s Bond Street station can revitalise “tired” parts of Oxford Street October 18, 2022 London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said the opening of Bond Street’s Elizabeth Line station next week will help revitalise a “tired” part of Oxford Street – and keep big-ticket retailers in the West End. The station is the last of the Crossrail stations to open, having been delayed due to the complexity of the build. [...]
Khan: Tourist tax-free shopping u-turn bad for London’s businesses October 18, 2022 Sadiq Khan has slammed the government’s decision to u-turn on a plan to give tourists tax-free shopping. The Mayor of London said he “absolutely” shared the concerns of West End businesses, who have expressed disappointment that the capital will lag behind other cities’ in efforts to welcome high-spending foreign visitors. “VAT-free shopping for international tourists [...]