The business rates backlash continues… this time Sainsbury’s speaks out February 19, 2017 Sainsbury's is the latest company to raise its voice amid growing concern over the impending rise in business rates which will see thousands of businesses with a bigger bill. The supermarket's chief executive Mike Coupe slammed the levy as "archaic" and called for reforms to "level the playing field with firms such as Amazon which [...]
Britain must boost investment in skills beyond apprenticeship levy to compete with Europe after Brexit, according to report February 18, 2017 The UK must significantly increase its skills investment beyond plans for the apprenticeship levy if it is to compete with European rivals in the post-Brexit world economy, according to a new report. The government’s new apprenticeship levy will not bring employer investment in skills up to levels seen before the financial crisis, according to the [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May to meet Peugeot boss to discuss Vauxhall takeover deal February 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May will meet the boss of Peugeot SA to discuss the group’s takeover bid for General Motors’ (GM) European operations, including British brand Vauxhall. May has been invited to meet the chair of the managing board of Peugeot SA (PSA), Carlos Tavares, to discuss the deal. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed there [...]
British Gas owner Centrica set to unveil £100m tech startup investment February 18, 2017 The owner of British Gas is set to invest £100m in technology startups in a bid to push further into the Internet of Things as part of its customer retention strategy. The £12bn London-listed gas supplier Centrica will on Monday announce a new company called Centrica Innovations, according to the Financial Times. The new project [...]
German chancellor Angela Merkel says there is a problem with the weak euro February 18, 2017 German chancellor Angela Merkel has said there is a “problem” with the value of the euro, in an unusual comment at a time when the country has come under sustained criticism over the currency. At a security conference in Munich Merkel said: "We have at the moment in the Eurozone of course a problem with [...]
Prime Minister Theresa May to work on new domestic violence law February 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will be leading work on a new law on domestic violence and abuse. There is an “unacceptable diversity” in the way domestic abuse is handled by police forces around Britain, Downing Street said in a statement. Along with her efforts to tackle modern slavery, domestic abuse is an [...]
Property Legal Q&A: I own a flat that has 87 years left to run on the lease. Should I extend the lease? February 18, 2017 A: A longer lease has the advantage of being both more mortgageable and more attractive in the market. A leasehold flat whose term has significantly reduced (say to below 50 years) is a wasting asset, and extending its lease term is essential to preserve the value. The Government in the recent Housing White Paper states [...]
American commitment to Nato is “unwavering” says US vice president Mike Pence February 18, 2017 American vice president Mike Pence has told world leaders the US would remain committed to Nato, after President Donald Trump questioned the worth of the military alliance. Pence offered “unwavering” commitment to Nato and said the US “is now and will always be your greatest ally” to delegates including German chancellor Angela Merkel at a security [...]
The Treasury says RBS may not have to sell Williams & Glyn after all under £750m deal February 18, 2017 The government has announced RBS may not have to sell its 307 Williams & Glyn branches, with the bailed-out bank instead being forced to spend £750m on a competition-boosting fund for challenger banks. Europe’s commissioner for competition policy will start the process of finding an alternative to a sale, which could see a removal of [...]
London’s T-charge, which will affect up to 10,000 high pollution vehicles, will be introduced in October February 17, 2017 Take a deep breath – or don't… yet. There's going to be a new emissions charge in the City starting 23 October. London mayor Sadiq Khan today confirmed his plans for a £10 emissions surcharge, or T-charge, on older polluting vehicles in the city centre. Khan announced the news on the 14th anniversary of London's congestion charge, [...]