String of banks appointed as Travelex-owner Finablr weighs London float April 9, 2019 Payments company Finablr said today it was examining a London initial public offering (IPO) and had engaged a raft of top banks to act as underwriters and advisers. The United Arab Emirates-based company, which processed $114.5bn (£87.6bn) of payments in 2018, published a registration documents today and said it was weighing a $200m IPO. Read [...]
Watchdog accuses three construction suppliers of forming a cartel to keep prices up April 9, 2019 The competition watchdog has found that three construction suppliers colluded to form a cartel and keep prices up. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation into groundworks suppliers MGF, Vp and Mabey Hire has provisionally found that the trio broke competition law. Read more: Game over? Watchdog to probe video gaming industry It [...]
Debenhams shares suspended as it prepares to fall into administration April 9, 2019 Debenhams’ shares were suspended this morning as it prepares to go into administration, falling into the hands of lenders after rejecting an improved equity offer from Sports Direct. Read more: Debenhams shares slump as shareholders risk losing everything The Financial Conduct Authority temporarily suspended trading of the under-fire department store “at the request of the [...]
The UK’s drug policy is falling behind the rest of the world April 9, 2019 Every year, thousands of people die as a result of drug misuse in the UK. And for over two decades, heroin has been the main culprit. Communities are blighted, families are ripped apart, and vulnerable people are failed by an outdated approach. The situation in Scotland is particularly dire, with a fifth of the UK’s [...]
Debate: Is Sadiq Khan’s new ultra-low emission zone an effective solution for tackling air pollution? April 9, 2019 Debate: Is Sadiq Khan’s new ultra-low emission zone an effective solution for tackling air pollution? Yes – Fiona Howarth is chief executive of Octopus Electric Vehicles. If London’s water supplies were poisoning 9,000 people a year, there would be national outrage. So why are we not outraged about the air that we breathe? Research published [...]
Brexit hoped to heal the UK, but instead it leaves wounds that will not easily be closed April 9, 2019 The other day, my three-year-old son gave me a geography lesson. Him: “This is Battersea Park.” Me: “That’s right.” Him: “And Battersea Park is in London?” Me: “Yes, and we’re also in England and in Britain.” At which point he shook his head. “No,” he insisted. “Just London.” Political analysis obviously runs in the family. [...]
Government should choose outsourcing contracts based on the quality, not cost April 9, 2019 If and when the Brexit debate ever ends, politicians will return to the challenge of improving domestic politics. And one of the main questions will be the role of private companies in delivering public services. Overall, the government spends almost £300bn per year – or around a third of its total budget – on partnerships [...]
Hornby expects revenue to fall despite turnaround plan April 9, 2019 Model train-maker Hornby said today revenue for the year would be lower than the previous year due to issues with stock shortages. In a trading update for the year to 31 March it said that despite these “legacy issues”, its underlying margins have improved and reduction in overheads has continued. Read more: Hornby narrows losses [...]
City Pub Group share price rises as it returns to profit after 2017 loss April 9, 2019 City Pub Group pulled itself back into profit in 2018, it revealed this morning, as it said it intends to continue its expansion in London and the south east. Read more: City Pub Group sales rise amid string of acquisitions Its shares opened 7.3 per cent higher on London's Alternative Investment Market (Aim) this morning, [...]
Trump administration threatens tariffs on $11bn of EU goods including wine and aeroplanes April 9, 2019 The US is considering slapping tariffs on $11bn (£8.4bn) worth of goods from the European Union including French cheese, sparkling wine, and helicopters, it said today. Read more: Trump asks China to lift tariffs on US agricultural exports The US Trade Representative said the proposed move would be in retaliation for EU subsidies to Airbus, [...]