European Commission offers Brits visa-free travel to EU countries in no-deal Brexit November 13, 2018 European Commission officials today proposed visa-free travel for Brits to the EU even in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The proposal, which would need to be reciprocated by the UK, will calm fears that travel to the EU would be far harder – and potentially costly – after Brexit. Under the Commission's plans, visa requirements [...]
Whatever Brexit deal Theresa May can do is the answer to reduce the pain of divorce November 13, 2018 As the Brexit deadline approaches and negotiations continue amid ever-more intense scrutiny, the actual detail of Theresa May’s talks with the EU becomes less and less important. Leaving the EU has been compared to a divorce. While I am fortunate enough never to have gone through one myself, I have witnessed plenty and it is [...]
Grant Thornton breaks ranks with call for independent audit appointment body, as BDO backs market caps November 13, 2018 Grant Thornton, the UK’s fifth-largest audit firm, has broken ranks with other mid-tier accountants by calling for the introduction of an independent body to appoint auditors to top listed firms. The firm told the competition watchdog that caps on market share would not work, putting it at odds with close competitors such as BDO, which [...]
BTG investors treated after pharmaceutical group reports 35 per cent profit rise November 13, 2018 British pharmaceutical group BTG treated investors as profits rose 35 per cent following a sales boost. The London-based medical technology provider was the FTSE All-Share's biggest riser this afternoon as shares rose more than 11 per cent. The company reported sales growth of 10 per cent in the six months to 30 September to $340m [...]
Interserve shares collapse by another 20 per cent after hitting 30-year low November 13, 2018 Shares in outsourcing firm Interserve have recovered slightly after a second day of turmoil which saw the price plummet by more than 20 per cent. The price was down to 31.19p this afternoon, from opening at 40.19p, after hitting a 30-year low yesterday. Shares had recovered to 38p after the company issued a statement insisting that its [...]
Law firm lodges equal pay claims against supermarket giant Morrisons November 13, 2018 The law firm that is taking on the big four supermarket giants over allegations of unequal pay has today lodged its first batch of claims against Morrisons in the Employment Tribunal. As well as Morrisons, Leigh Day is also taking on Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco on behalf of female members of staff who believe they [...]
Consumer spending falls in October as shoppers continue to abandon the high street November 13, 2018 UK consumer spending dipped in October after having risen for two months, with an e-commerce rebound propping up a two per cent fall in face-to-face sales. Expenditure has fallen in six of 10 months so far this year, adding to a cocktail of concerns for bricks-and-mortar retailers, according to Visa UK Consumer Spending Index data [...]
Goldman Sachs shares hit as 1MDB fallout continues November 13, 2018 Shares in Goldman Sachs dropped to the lowest point in seven years yesterday as the investment bank faced the fall out of the Malaysian 1MDB corruption scandal. Goldman Sachs saw shares fall 7.5 per cent after Bloomberg reported that the country’s finance minister said it would demand a full refund for the fees it paid [...]
Taylor Wimpey confident it can beat market uncertainty as low interest rates boost house buyers November 13, 2018 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey today said it is on track to weather political uncertainty to deliver on guidance thanks to low interest rates and the government's Help to Buy scheme. Sales rates for the year to date were 0.81 per outlet per week in the second half of 2018, unchanged from last year, though cancellation rates were up [...]
Business has spoken: The UK cannot afford a no-deal Brexit November 13, 2018 We thoughts that we were heading towards the final furlong – at long last, a Brexit deal – after an interminable period which has seen runners and riders fall and many a twist and turn along the way since the public voted to leave the EU in June 2016. Then the minister Jo Johnson resigned, [...]