France and Germany’s finance ministers and head bankers call for bitcoin and cryptocurrency crackdown (Bruno le Maire, Peter Altmaier) February 9, 2018 France and Germany’s finance ministers and head bankers have called on G20 leaders to intervene in the murky world of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ethereum and litecoin. A letter to fellow G20 finance ministers, signed by German interim finance minister Peter Altmaier, France’s Bruno le Maire, Banque de France’s Francois Villeroy de Galhau and the [...]
Finding the root of our STEM gender gap February 9, 2018 If science teaches us one thing, it is to have a healthy respect for the facts – and the truth is that not enough women work in the STEM industries. So, faced as we are with this chronic under-representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, how do we begin to close the gender gap and [...]
Bank of England predictions shift: How interest rates might increase over the next two years February 9, 2018 | City Talk UK policymakers’ concerns about inflation have prompted Schroders’ economists to bring forward to November their expectations of a rise in interest rates. Schroders senior European economist and strategist Azad Zangana now predicts the base rate to rise in November 2018 by 25 basis points, up from 0.50% to 0.75%. This is before the two rate [...]
Financial Conduct Authority says it will not publish report on RBS scandal – yet February 9, 2018 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s head Andrew Bailey today said it will not publish a report on the Royal Bank of Scotland global restructuring group (RBS GRG) scandal by next week, as demanded by Nicky Morgan, the head of the influential Treasury Select Committee (TSC), but will share a copy with the committee. The FCA’s [...]
UK petrol prices: Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda kick off war at the pumps February 9, 2018 A UK petrol price war has kicked off with three of the big four supermarkets slashing prices at the pumps. In the last few minutes, Sainsbury’s mirrored an earlier move by Asda and Morrisons this morning to knock 2p off a litre of petrol and diesel. Sources at Tesco said a decision had yet to [...]
Amazon is launching a shipping company to compete with UPS and FedEx February 9, 2018 Online retail giant Amazon is branching out and launching a shipping business, placing it in direct competition with the likes of UPS and FedEx. According to the Wall Street Journal, Shipping with Amazon (SWA) will pick up packages from businesses and ship them to consumers. The group is expected to roll out the new delivery [...]
Sterling slumps after Michel Barnier says Brexit transition is “not a given” February 9, 2018 Sterling hit its lowest point against the US dollar since mid-January this afternoon after the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said a transition deal is not yet guaranteed. The pound briefly dipped below the $1.38 mark in afternoon trading before recovering slightly, although it remained down by 0.6 per cent for the day. The [...]
Painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Blue Plaque birthplace apartment in Fitzrovia February 9, 2018 Historic properties awarded with a Blue Plaque are unusual on the private sale market, but they’re positively rare on the lettings market. Hallam Street, Fitzrovia, £715pw Perfect for those looking for temporary inspiration and accommodation, this spot on Hallam Street in Fitzrovia is the birthplace of celebrated poet, illustrator, painter and translator Dante Gabriel Rossetti, [...]
Holiday Homes: At Sugar Beach Residences in St Lucia, privacy is the new luxury. Celebrities and would-be Bond villains apply here February 9, 2018 It’s hard to imagine a place more sublime than St Lucia. The island is an exhibition of beauty, voluptuous landscapes, and flamboyant Caribbean colour. Nestled between the two mountainous Pitons, which were given world heritage status back in 2005, is a former plantation-turned luxury resort called Sugar Beach. Almost a hundred Caribbean-style villas cascade down [...]
Uber is responding to the Taylor review on the gig economy by launching its own advisory panel for drivers February 9, 2018 Uber has just unveiled its sop to the government after it (finally) responded to the Taylor review on the gig economy: easier ways for drivers to provide feedback. The ride hailing app said a new feedback programme, dubbed UberEngage, will give drivers “a voice in Uber”, allowing them to provide feedback on new products and [...]