European fintech startup iZettle has raised €40m ahead of a potential IPO led by Sweden’s state pension fund and Dawn Capital December 13, 2017 One of Europe’s most highly funded fintechs used by shops, stalls and small businesses across Britain has landed fresh funding from investors ahead of a potential IPO. Payments startup iZettle has raised €40m (£35.2m), led by long-term backer Dawn Capital and Sweden’s multibillion pound state pension fund, a new investor in the six-year-old Swedish firm. [...]
Real earnings fell again in October as unemployment stayed flat December 13, 2017 The squeeze on consumers was confirmed today after official data showed wages rose 2.5 per cent in the year to October, half a percentage point below inflation. The figures, by the Office for National Statistics, showed real wages, which are adjusted for inflation, fell 0.2 per cent including bonuses, and 0.4 per cent when bonuses [...]
London’s new US embassy in Nine Elms will open in January 2018 December 13, 2017 The new, billion-dollar US embassy at Nine Elms in Wandsworth is set to open next month. US ambassador Woody Johnson made the announcement today on Twitter, saying: “We look forward to moving to our new embassy on Nine Elms… On the 16th of January our new embassy is open for business.” Big news – today [...]
Our luxury mince pie taste test 2017 sorts through the best gourmet offerings on the market December 13, 2017 It wouldn’t be Christmas without almost every favourite festive food getting a ‘premium’ makeover, and mince pies are no exception. These posh pies all put a gourmet spin on the classic Christmas snack – but which one delivered the goods? MARKS & SPENCER ★★★☆☆ These citrusy circles topped with pastry stars are so packed with [...]
Donald Trump blow after Alabama vote: The dollar has held steady after Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore to a Senate seat (USDGBP, USDEUR) December 13, 2017 The dollar weakened only slightly overnight, despite Donald Trump being dealt a hefty blow in a US Senate vote. Although Trump had publicly supported Republican Roy Moore in the race to gain the US Senate seat for Alabama, Democrat Doug Jones won. It will be the first time a Democrat has held the seat for [...]
Uber driver licence standards should be made national, say MPs December 13, 2017 A group of more than two dozen cross-party MPs have called on the government to introduce new rules controlling the licensing of drivers for Uber and other minicab services with new national standards. Labour’s Wes Streeting and Jess Philips, and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas are among the 25 MPs to sign a letter to [...]
Christmas consumers face an epic hangover December 13, 2017 Britain’s inability to deal with a little snow may have kept shoppers from the high street this week, but Kantar Worldpanel and Nielsen (two of the biggest data firms going) have suggested that despite the weather, we’re gearing up to a cracker of a Christmas for retailers. For those who like to avoid the crowds, [...]
Spot the symptoms, stay sane, and run from the bitcoin bubble December 13, 2017 At the time of writing, the price of bitcoin is almost $17,000. In April, it was $1,000, which means that if you had bought then, you would have made more than seventeen times your investment. Not bad. But, if you’d got in a little earlier, say in January 2016, you would have made over forty [...]
Donald Trump’s tax code changes could give unexpected boost to the City December 13, 2017 Donald Trump’s proposed changes to the US tax code could result in London regaining its attractiveness for those working in the financial services, according to one of the former architects of Brexit. The Tax Reform Bill – although being criticised as a boon to the rich – could force the top rate tax bill to [...]
Venezuela’s ironic cryptocurrency distraction: the flaws of the Petro December 13, 2017 Last week Venezuela’s Maduro regime vowed to finally put an end to the nation’s economic woes by creating a sovereign cryptocurrency, the Petro. Falling oil prices coupled with years of corruption and economic mismanagement have created a toxic mixture of soaring inflation, rampant unemployment and a burgeoning underground economy. The Petro is being touted as [...]