Big Four investigate their own clients on behalf of software giants November 23, 2018 The UK's top four accounting firms have been accused of a conflict of interest by investigating their own clients' use of software on behalf of technology firms. The so-called Big Four – PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte – carry out software audits on their clients on behalf of vendors such as Microsoft, SAP and IBM to see if firms [...]
Johnston Press administrator says creditors will face a ‘significant’ cash shortfall November 23, 2018 The administrator of struggling publishing company Johnston Press has said there will be “a significant shortfall” of money for creditors after being sold out of pre-pack administration last week. Alix Partners, the company’s administrators, warned in their first report that although funds would be available to secured bondholders and to unsecured creditors, there would still [...]
Commuter chaos: Extinction Rebellion protest creates central London gridlock for third straight day November 23, 2018 Protesters once again blocked rush hour traffic in central London this morning as members of environmental action group Extinction Rebellion took to the streets to cause chaos for commuters. A small number of activists blocked traffic at West Cromwell Road, Elephant and Castle, Victoria Street and Tower Hill for seven minutes, as their protests stretched [...]
Eurozone growth slows to four-year low due to sluggish manufacturing sector November 23, 2018 Eurozone business activity growth slumped to the lowest rate in four years, according to the latest statistics. The slowdown hit the manufacturing sector hardest, where output only rose marginally, due to subdued car sales, weakened global demand, rising political and economic uncertainty and trade wars. Service sector growth fared slightly better however growth still declined [...]
Schroders plans to support the Restaurant Group’s proposed £600m Wagamama deal November 23, 2018 Schroders, a top 10 shareholder in the Restaurant Group, has come out in support of the Frankie and Bennies owner’s acquisition of Wagamama. It comes as several major investors announced they would oppose the deal at a meeting next week, saying the £600m price tag is too steep. Schroders fund manager Andy Brough said: “The [...]
May: UK will not get better offer if MPs vote down draft Brexit withdrawal agreement November 23, 2018 Theresa May has said the European Union will not “give us a better deal” if MPs vote down the draft withdrawal agreement she has negotiated. Asked what happens if MPs reject the agreement, she said “I think we end up back a square one” with “more uncertainty and more division”. “If we were to go [...]
EU offers reassurances to the Square Mile that UK clearing can continue post-Brexit November 23, 2018 The EU has begun work to allow UK clearing to continue in the event of a no-deal Brexit, addressing Square Mile fears that the European market could be cut off in March next year. The European Securities and Market’s Authority (ESMA) confirmed today that it will “adopt a temporary and conditional equivalence decision” to minimise [...]
This Thanksgiving, President Donald Trump is thankful for himself November 23, 2018 US President Donald Trump has said that this Thanksgiving, he is thankful for himself. Asked by a reporter what he is most thankful for, Trump said in an interview that he was thankful for his family before going on to praise himself and the "tremendous difference" he said he has made to the US in the last [...]
Black Friday weekend: How to find the best deals and avoid the worst November 23, 2018 British shoppers are set to drop £7bn on products this Black Friday weekend, as they surf the web and hit the high streets in search of the most generous deals. But as price comparison site Finder.com predicts bargain hunters will spend an average of £220 each, with everybody discounting products it’s hard to know where [...]
Asda and Sainsbury’s slash petrol prices as Black Friday shopping event begins November 23, 2018 Asda and Sainsbury’s have slashed petrol prices today as UK consumers participate in Black Friday. Both supermarkets have cut 1p per litre off the price of unleaded and 2p off each litre of diesel following a decrease in the wholesale cost. Customers of the UK’s second and third largest food stores will pay no more [...]