UK economy set for much-needed spending boost thanks to Chinese tourists February 5, 2019 The UK economy is set to receive an international spending boost as tourists from outside the EU continue to splash out in spite of Brexit worries. International spend will increase four per cent year-on-year over the next 90 days, according to forecasts from tourism shopping firm Global Blue. Read more: China's success will depend on the [...]
May vows to avoid hard Ireland border as she seeks changes to Brexit deal February 5, 2019 Theresa May sought to reassure Northern Irish business leaders today that she will not allow a Brexit deal to create a hard border in Ireland. Delivering a speech in Belfast, the Prime Minister said her commitment to avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is “unshakeable”. Read more: Chris Grayling: [...]
Chris Grayling says it will be the EU’s fault if Britain leaves without a deal on 29 March February 5, 2019 Transport secretary Chris Grayling has said the blame will lie with Brussels if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal on 29 March. The Cabinet minister said the UK government had done all it could to secure an agreement and that it would be down to the EU's failure to compromise me if a [...]
President Trump to nominate World Bank critic David Malpass to lead the institution February 5, 2019 President Donald Trump is reportedly set to nominate an ally from the US Department of the Treasury to become president of the World Bank. The nomination of David Malpass would see an ardent critic of the World Bank put in line to lead the lending institution. Read more: Shutdown back down: Trump faces conservative backlash as [...]
Merkel calls for Huawei security guarantees ahead of 5G rollout February 5, 2019 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Huawei must offer guarantees about the security of its technology if the Chinese firm is to be involved in the country’s 5G network. During a visit to Japan Merkel raised the issue of security fears surrounding the telecoms company, saying she wanted to speak with Chinese authorities so “the [...]
TfL urged to be ‘open’ with Londoners about Northern Line extension delay February 5, 2019 Transport for London (TfL) has been told to be "open" with Londoners about the reasons behind the Northern Line extension delay after boss Mike Brown said a revised opening date would have "no material impact" on its revenues. The extension, which will lengthen the Northern Line to Battersea and create 25,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes, was scheduled to open next [...]
Kier Group defies gloom with north London high-rise contract win worth £37m February 5, 2019 For all its financial troubles, Kier Group continues to win construction contracts in the capital, having been tasked with building a large residential development in north London. Kier has this morning been tasked with building a £37.2m 22-floor high-rise in Haringey which will contain 128 residential flats, by housing association Newlon Housing Trust. Read more: [...]
Major HMV stores in London to be axed following chain’s sale February 5, 2019 HMV is set to shut its flagship London stores in Westfield and Oxford Street as part of a swathe of closures following a rescue deal with Sunrise Records. The Shepherds Bush outlet is one of 27 stores in line for closure after Canadian music entrepreneur Doug Putman confirmed he had bought the retailer this morning. [...]
Lawyer struck off for dodging £650 of rail fares on his commute February 5, 2019 A lawyer has been struck off for dodging £650 of rail fares on his morning commute from Shoreditch to Redhill. Adam Kemeny, 33, who earned £38,000 a year, regularly dodged the nearly £17 return rail fare between Shoreditch and Redhill between July and October 2017. On 17 October he was stopped by a Govia ticket [...]
Watchdog boss: Auditors ‘clearly responsible’ for detecting company fraud February 5, 2019 The head of the UK’s beleaguered accountancy watchdog said auditors are “clearly responsible” for finding fraud in companies. Stephen Haddrill, chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), said accountants too often buy into a “mythology” that they will not find wrongdoing while checking companies’ accounts. “The auditor is clearly responsible for finding fraud in [...]