Business activity is growing at its slowest pace since September 2016 March 3, 2017 Business activity is growing at its slowest pace since September 2016, according to a survey of managers, suggesting that UK economic activity has "lost momentum". IHS Markit's purchasing managers' index for the services sector fell to 53.3 in February – any figure below 50 denotes contraction. The measure was down on the month before, when output stood at [...]
The best pint bar none: Camra names Yorkshire local Britain’s pub of the year March 3, 2017 A Yorkshire pub that was saved from extinction by local villagers has been crowned Britain's pub of the year. The award from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) was given to the George & Dragon pub in Hudswell. The pub closed in 2008, and the local community was left with just a village hall. But, [...]
The number of workers on zero-hours contracts hits new high of 910,000 – but the rise is slowing March 3, 2017 The number of people on controversial zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) has reached a record high of 910,000. According to the think tank the Resolution Foundation, which analysed data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), a further 110,000 people were added onto these contracts in 2016; nearly 14 per cent more than 2015 and 30 per cent higher [...]
Tata Steel bidder Thyssenkrupp comes under pressure from investors to consider alternative strategies March 3, 2017 The German industrial firm vying to pick up Tata Steel is plotting alternative strategies if the deal to save Britain's largest steel operator fails. Thyssenkrupp is considering spinning off its European steel division into a separate company that could be listed, according to reports today by German publication WirtschftsWoche. Read more: Tata Steel pension scheme edges towards safety [...]
WPP gives cautious outlook despite record year with 26 per cent surge in annual profits March 3, 2017 The world's largest advertising group has said "tepid economic growth" is likely to cause a tricky 2017, despite reporting a record 2016 with profit before tax up 26.7 per cent. It's planning conservatively for the year ahead, after noting a slower fourth quarter in 2016 and slower start to 2017. Shares fell 6.02 per cent in early trading to 1,796p. [...]
Actavis UK and Concordia accused of illegal deal to fix the market for hydrocortisone tablets by UK competition watchdog March 3, 2017 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has alleged that Concordia and Actavis UK signed illegal agreements enabling high prices for a life-saving drug to be prolonged. The two pharmaceutical firms have been accused of fixing the market for hydrocortisone tablets. The CMA alleges that between January 2013 and June 2016, Actavis UK incentivised Concordia not [...]
London Stock Exchange grows despite noise from “industry-defining combination” with Deutsche Boerse March 3, 2017 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) this morning labelled its merger with Deutsche Boerse an "industry-defining combination" and is hopeful of agreeing a deal, despite staring down the barrel of a collapse. The firm's share price fell nearly one per cent in trading this morning after making the statement as part of its annual results announcement: profits were up and shareholders [...]
Vodafone launches recruitment programme specifically for those on a career break March 3, 2017 Vodafone has unveiled a new programme specifically recruiting those who have taken a career break. The telecoms giant is on the hunt for 1,000 new hires across the world in the next three years. Half of these will be in frontline roles such as shops and call centres, and the other half in managerial positions. Read [...]
Timid centrist Emmanuel Macron is unlikely to fix a failing France March 3, 2017 Napoleon is said to have preferred lucky generals to clever ones. If true, Emmanuel Macron, the centrist candidate in this year’s French presidential election, would have found an eminent position in the great man’s army. For what else could have propelled this political ingenue who has never held elected office, who lacks a party hinterland, and [...]
A pensions Green deal that needs energy to understand March 3, 2017 The Green deal: a government-sponsored scheme eventually discarded after failing to adequately explain its benefits and providing poor value to participants. I’m referring, of course, to a Tory-Lib Dem coalition energy-efficiency programme, but is it a description which applies equally well to Sir Philip Green’s £363m settlement with regulators over the pension crisis at BHS? On [...]