Marston’s toasts a fine festive season January 25, 2017 Marston’s said it was on track to open 20 more pub-restaurants and bars and five lodges this financial year after “encouraging” festive season trade. But analysts warned the pub company could face tougher conditions and may need to rely on its value outlets Two For One and Carvery for growth as consumers tighten their belts. [...]
US labelled a “flawed” democracy over collapsing public trust January 25, 2017 The US has been branded a “flawed democracy” thanks to crumbling confidence in its government and institutions. Experts behind the Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Democracy Index rank the governance of countries worldwide, but have this morning cut the status of the American system for 2016. Previously a part of the top level “full” democracy group, [...]
From holiday flights to luxury watches and Armani jeans, HMRC unveils the UK’s most outrageous expenses claims January 25, 2017 International flights, Friday night drinks and betting slips were among the dodgiest expense claims rejected by the taxman last year. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released a list of the most outlandish items taxpayers submitted as expenses on their annual returns for 2014-15. Taxpayers are allowed to claim deductions for genuine costs, such as work-related [...]
Donald Trump urges car giants Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler to build new plants in the US January 25, 2017 US President Donald Trump has urged the heads of car companies to boost production in the US and promised to slash “out of control” regulations to attract more investment. Trump yesterday also signed executive orders for construction of the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines, which had been thrown into doubt under his [...]
BT’s accounting black hole to be investigated by Italian prosecutors January 25, 2017 Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into BT’s £530m accounting black hole, according to reports. The scale of the scandal today wiped £7bn off the telecom giant’s market capitalisation. BT’s shares fell over 20 per cent yesterday, closing at 303p. And after markets closed, Reuters cited two sources saying Milan prosecutors have started a probe into the [...]
The government will introduce a straight-forward Article 50 Bill “within days” January 25, 2017 A bill granting the government power to begin the UK’s separation from the EU will be brought forward “within days” after yesterday’s landmark Supreme Court verdict on Article 50. The Supreme Court justices yesterday ruled by eight to three that Prime Minister Theresa May needed the support of parliament to trigger Article 50, necessitating the bill. [...]
Intesa Sanpaolo reveals it is examining Generali takeover January 24, 2017 Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo has revealed it is considering a takeover bid for the country's largest insurance firm, Generali. Shares in Generali had previously jumped over eight per cent today after it was reported Intesa was preparing an offer for the €24bn (£21m) market cap firm in a deal that would be one of the sector’s largest takeovers. Intesa Sanpaolo [...]
Another former aide to David Cameron has joined the ranks of lobbyists January 24, 2017 A former aide to David Cameron has become the latest of the ex Prime Minister's staff to join the ranks of lobbyists. Cameron's former deputy chief of staff, Baroness Kate Fall, is to join Brunswick to serve as a senior partner. Fall was part of Cameron's team until she departed office last summer, with the [...]
The head of the BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, has warned boards he will vote against excessive pay January 24, 2017 The chief executive of the world’s largest asset manager has warned companies it is invested in it will use its weight to vote down excessive executive pay. BlackRock’s Larry Fink said the asset manager would fight for “board accountability” for its investments in an annual letter to the chief executives of European companies. This includes [...]
IG Markets bins binary products for new investors January 24, 2017 IG Markets has withdrawn a popular spreadbetting product that allows punters to speculate on a wide range of market movements, as regulators consider proposals to crack down on the sector. Sprints binary products will no longer be available to new investors, the FTSE 250 firm said today, although they can still be used by current clients. Read [...]