Russia’s EU ambassador suggests UK lab could be source of nerve agent used to poison ex-spy March 18, 2018 Russia’s ambassador to the EU has suggested a UK laboratory could have been the source of the chemical agent used to poison ex-spy Sergei Skripal. Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, Vladimir Chizhov said Russia had “no stockpiles whatever” of chemical weapons. A diplomatic crisis has erupted between the UK and Russia after Skripal [...]
Great British Bake Off star Sandi Toksvig calls for universal free childcare March 17, 2018 Great British Bake Off presenter Sandi Toksvig has demanded a change in economic mindset, calling for “properly compensated” parental leave and universal free childcare. Delivering the Adam Smith Lecture in Kirkcaldy yesterday evening, Toksvig, the co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party, shone a light on the “grossly undervalued domestic product”. The lecture has in the [...]
UK jobs market: Firms urged to do more to impress candidates amid growing skills shortage March 17, 2018 Most job candidates could have one foot out the door before the end of their first interview, according to new research on hiring trends. Over half (53 per cent) of people make up their minds about a new job before their first interview has even finished, headhunter Robert Half says. Almost a quarter (24 per [...]
Spy poisoning: British government slams Russian expulsion and will consider “next steps” March 17, 2018 Britain’s diplomatic row with Russia shows no sign of abating as the Foreign Office said it will “consider next steps” after 23 UK diplomats were today booted out by the Kremlin. Russia’s move this morning to expel British representatives and close the British Consulate-General in St Petersburg and British Council in Moscow was “anticipated”, a [...]
Royal Mail says firms should consider Ireland as Britain’s “first-step export market” March 17, 2018 Irish shoppers’ propensity to buy more things using their mobile phones makes the Emerald Isle the perfect place for British firms to “dip their toes into overseas markets”, Royal Mail has said. A study published yesterday by postal giant Royal Mail found almost half (48 per cent) of those in Ireland make purchases via smartphones. [...]
Fifa gives Iraq blessing for return to home football for first time in three decades March 17, 2018 Iraq’s Prime Minister today hailed a decision by Fifa to lift a home ban on competitive international football matches. The country’s national side last played an official home game in 1990. Gianni Infantino, the president of football’s world governing body Fifa, yesterday announced the lifting of a ban on stadiums in Basra, Karbala and Erbil [...]
FTSE roundup: Easyjet soars while housebuilders (Berkeley) temper blue chip index gains March 16, 2018 The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 0.34 per cent, as Easyjet continued to climb after directors scooped up shares earlier this week. However the FTSE 100’s close, at 7,164 points, was substantially lower than last Friday’s close of 7224 points. BP helped to nudge the blue chip index up during the day, [...]
Why the younger generation can’t afford to buy their own homes in London March 16, 2018 In my 35 years as a property lawyer, I have seen a sea-change in the balance between ownership and renting. When I first cut my legal teeth, the Rent Act 1977 provided security for tenants and controlled rents below true market rate. As a result, there was little incentive for a prospective landlord to add [...]
Proxy adviser Manifest has just collapsed into administration March 16, 2018 Shareholder advisory group Manifest has today crashed into administration. Moore Stephens has been appointed as administrator of the lead proxy advisor. According to March 2017 accounts – Manifest’s latest filing with Companies House – the firm had £1.3m of debts payable within the next 12 months. Representatives for the administrators were unable to comment on [...]
New build homes on sale in London this weekend in Paddington, Clapham, Kentish Town, Vauxhall and Canada Water March 16, 2018 New developments on the market this week No 3 Canalside Walk, Paddington From £1.212m Live next to the Grand Union Canal in Paddington Basin, with a plethora of rooftop perks, including balconies, and a rooftop gym, lounge and observatory. Eleven acres of prime Zone One is being developed near the transport hub, including 52 two [...]