UK not looking to delay Article 50, says Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay January 8, 2019 The UK is not looking to extend Article 50, Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has said, rebuffing reports that officials were seeking to move the 29 March deadline date. The Telegraph reported that British and European officials are discussing the possibility of extending Britain’s formal notice to withdraw from the EU. “The government’s policy is clear [...]
Discounters win war of the supermarkets amid sluggish Christmas growth January 8, 2019 Aldi led the way during a record-breaking Christmas for groceries, even as sales growth slowed across the sector. The supermarket increased sales by 10.4 per cent, narrowly beating fellow discounter Lidl to the top spot, figures from Kantar Worldpanel show. “The discounters have continued to make their mark over Christmas: two-thirds of all households shopped [...]
First listed law firm Gateley delivers strong results as it looks for further acquisitions January 8, 2019 Listed law firm Gateley has boosted revenue 20 per cent and profit 18 per cent in the six months to 31 October. The Birmingham-headquartered firm, which became the first UK law firm to go public when it floated in 2015, delivered revenue of £46.4m and profit before tax of £5m for the period. Gateley's share price [...]
National Grid ends lengthy dispute with US unions January 8, 2019 National Grid has struck a deal with unions to end a longrunning dispute at its US business. Shares in the FTSE 100 energy giant rose one per cent this morning after the company announced its agreement with Massachusetts Gas unions over employment terms and conditions. It said the agreement is for a five-and-a-half-year contract covering [...]
UK house prices get unexpected December boost but market remains subdued January 8, 2019 UK house prices rose 1.3 per cent in the three months to December compared to the same period last year, according to new figures from Halifax. The annual growth rate was up from the 0.3 per cent recorded in November, but house prices were 0.4 per cent lower than in the preceding three months. Read [...]
Takeda finishes £46bn Shire takeover months ahead of schedule January 8, 2019 Takeda has completed the takeover of London-listed Shire ahead of schedule after shareholders overwhelmingly backed the controversial $59bn (£46bn) deal last month. The acquisition, which becomes the largest ever for a Japanese company, won 89 per cent approval in December despite a battle over the future of the company. It creates a $30bn pharmaceutical giant [...]
Labour and Conservative MPs join forces to attempt to block a no-deal Brexit by stripping government of powers January 8, 2019 Labour and Tory MPs have teamed up to table an amendment that seeks to force the government to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Conservative backbencher Nicky Morgan and Labour MP Yvette Cooper’s proposed amendment to the Finance Bill would limit the government’s spending powers if the UK leaves the EU with no agreement. It reportedly [...]
Ex-Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn claims innocence in Tokyo court appearance January 8, 2019 Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn told a court in Tokyo that he is innocent and has been wrongly accused of financial misconduct. Ghosn, who has been held in Japan since 19 November, has been accused of understating his income, transferring personal losses to Nissan and using company funds to pay a Saudi businessman for a personal favour. [...]
Greene King toasts record Christmas trading amid cost-cutting plans January 8, 2019 Pub chain Greene King today recorded strong sales growth over Christmas and the New Year as it cashed in on festive drinking. Greene King said like-for-sale sales over the last two weeks rose 10.9 per cent, while Christmas day sales hit a record £7.7m. The chain, which operates almost 3,000 pubs, restaurants and hotels across [...]
The impact investing trend is here to stay January 8, 2019 From recycling waste to reducing plastic consumption to going vegan for the month of January, more and more people today are conscious of the impact they have on the planet. This outlook has extended to investing, as a new generation of finance customers start to raise questions about exactly where their money is being directed. [...]