BT candidates face “Crystal Maze” challenges as part of firm’s 1,300 new job push March 21, 2018 BT is to use a virtual reality version of “Crystal Maze” challenges to separate the wheat from the chaff as part of a new hiring spree. The telecoms giant is to create more than 1,300 graduate and apprenticeship jobs in the UK. It claims to be one the first companies in Britain to use such [...]
Waitrose chocolate avocado sells out at some stores as Easter treat becomes best-selling own-brand egg March 21, 2018 Waitrose’s avocado-shaped chocolate egg has become the fastest-selling own-brand Easter egg in the supermarket’s history. The £8 treat has even sold out at some stores as customers rushed to get their hands on one. Waitrose is now restocking its branches in preparation for the weekend. “Our chocolate avocados have been a phenomenal hit with customers [...]
Fish protest: Nigel Farage dumps haddock into the Thames over “death sentence” transition deal March 21, 2018 Brexiters led by Nigel Farage have this morning dumped a load of fish into the Thames in protest against the government’s “death sentence” transition agreement. Jacob Rees-Mogg joined the protest for a press conference, although did not actually join the former Ukip leader in dumping the fish into the Thames. Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Craig McKinlay [...]
Pound sterling (GBP) jumps as UK wage growth accelerates though UK unemployment rises again March 21, 2018 Sterling jumped this morning after new figures from the Office for National Statistics said basic wage growth had accelerated. UK unemployment rose by 24,000 to 1.45m in the three months to January, according to the ONS. The rate of unemployment fell from 4.4 per cent to 4.3 per cent, however, while basic wage growth accelerated [...]
London river crossings: TfL plans construction timeline for Rotherhithe-Canary Wharf pedestrian and cycling bridge after public backing March 21, 2018 Plans for a new river crossing in east London were given a boost today with the backing of Londoners, so Transport for London (TfL) will now draw up more detailed designs and a construction timeline. The results of a consultation on the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge that will provide a pedestrian and cycling route [...]
Carpetright share price jumps after agreeing to pricey bridging loan and revealing landlord restructuring plans March 21, 2018 Troubled retailer Carpetright today secured a multi-million pound bridging loan before going into battle with landlords. Shareholder Meditor has handed Carpetright £12.5m in cash. The loan must be repaid in less than six months and European hedge fund Meditor will net a near-£2m fee. At the start of March Carpetright said it was exploring a [...]
GKN launches scathing attack on “novice” Melrose March 21, 2018 Engineering giant GKN today attempted to put the record straight by taking apart a string of claims by hostile suitor Melrose. In a statement entitled “Rebutting Melrose’s misleading statements”, the FTSE 100 firm covered its planned motor merger with Dana, strategy for its aerospace arm, research and development spend and pension plans. It also aimed [...]
These are the UK’s most sought after companies to work for, as revealed by LinkedIn March 21, 2018 There has been a significant rise in the number of banks and finance firms in the top 20 most sought after companies to work for in the UK, according to a new ranking out today from LinkedIn. The list is compiled through looking at the actions taken by LinkedIn’s 25m UK members, considering data such [...]
Elon Musk’s $2.6bn pay package rejected by US pension giant ahead of crunch shareholder vote March 21, 2018 One of US’ biggest pension funds will vote against Tesla chief exec Elon Musk’s $2.6bn pay package, as shareholders prepare for a crunch vote later today. The Californian State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) said Musk’s 12-tranche stock award was “just too great” in diluting other shareholders. Tesla is due to hold its AGM later today. [...]
Post-Brexit Britain will be no place for fat lazy management March 21, 2018 It is a significant development in the Brexit transition deal, agreed between David Davis and Michel Barnier this week, that the UK will be able to negotiate, sign, and ratify bilateral free trade agreements, to become effective the day that transition is over. Although FTAs are not a prerequisite to mutually bountiful trade, they can [...]