Bank of England boss lowers Brexit job loss estimate as he strikes tone of optimism over financial services deal April 19, 2018 One of the Bank of England’s top officials has cut his forecast for the number of job losses the City will endure as a result of Brexit. Deputy governor Sam Woods reiterated his forecast that one-to-two per cent of bank and insurance jobs would move out of London, equivalent to around 5,000-10,000 people. But, speaking [...]
Brent crude oil price climbs to fresh December 2014 high of over $74 a barrel April 19, 2018 Oil prices surged to top $74 (£52) a barrel today, the highest price recorded since the end of 2014, on a bullish view from top exporter Saudi Arabia. After charging ahead more than three per cent yesterday, Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, rose as high as $74.74 this afternoon. At the time of writing, [...]
AA says car insurance premiums cheaper than they were a year ago April 19, 2018 Car insurance premiums are cheaper than they were one year ago while premiums for combined home and contents insurance fell in the last quarter. According to a report by break down and insurance company AA, car insurance premiums peaked during the second quarter of 2017 but have fallen steadily since then to an average premium [...]
Apprenticeship starts drop by nearly a quarter as levy criticised as “unfit for purpose” April 19, 2018 One year on since its introduction, the apprenticeship levy is facing intense criticism after the latest government figures show there has been a 24 per cent drop in new apprenticeship starts. In the six months to January 2018, 206,100 people started training schemes, compared with 269,600 in the same period the previous year, data from [...]
Gucci and Guess settle nine year legal battle over the letter G April 19, 2018 A nine-year battle over the letter G has finally come to an end. Fashion brands Gucci and Guess jointly announced today that they have signed an agreement that will end all outstanding legal battles between the two companies. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but in a joint statement, Gucci and Guess said: [...]
Government faces fresh Brexit challenge as MPs table customs union motion April 19, 2018 Theresa May’s government faces a fresh challenge over its plans for Brexit, as the chairs of 10 select committees table a new motion on remaining in a customs union. Committee chairs including Tories Nicky Morgan (Treasury Select Committee), Bob Neill (Justice) and Sarah Wollaston (Health), as well as Labour’s Yvette Cooper (Home Affairs), Hilary Benn [...]
A solution to uncertainty market weakness long term strategy easy investment portfolio ISA long term diversification asset classes bonds equities April 19, 2018 | City Talk Following a period of market weakness, with negative geopolitical news driving markets, investors have been given pause for thought. With the current bull market in shares nearly a decade old, some are wary of how much longer it can last. Is it time to hunker down and turn defensive? Don’t be shaken from your long-term [...]
London weather: This is now the UK’s hottest April day since 1949 as temperatures near 28 degrees in London April 19, 2018 The Met Office said it is officially the warmest April day since 1949, after temperatures in Northolt in Greater London hit 27.9 degrees celsius. It was already down as the the hottest day of the year so far, with that record being topped before midday after the temperature at Heathrow Airport was noted as 25.7 [...]
Rail campaign group threatens legal action against Chris Grayling over beleaguered East Coast franchise April 19, 2018 Transport secretary Chris Grayling is being threatened with legal action by a campaigning group over the controversy surrounding the Virgin Trains East Coast mainline. Bring Back British Rail has instructed law firm Leigh Day to seek a judicial review of Grayling’s handling of the franchise, after it was announced that Virgin and Stagecoach’s joint contract [...]
House of Fraser brings in advisers to consider store closures April 19, 2018 House of Fraser has become the latest retailer to look into store closures and rent reductions. The department store chain has brought in advisers from KPMG, Sky News reported, putting a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) on the table. This could involve closing some of the company’s 59 stores, as well as reducing rents at other [...]