Bitcoin faces another split as scaling debate rages within the community September 20, 2017 Bitcoin may be in for another bump in the road after prices levelled out this week, hovering around the $4,000 level after a recent plunge below $3,000. The famously volatile cryptocurrency has shot up from less than $600 this time last year to an all-time high of more than $5,000 earlier this month, according to [...]
Former spy chief takes up top role on cyber security at insurer Hiscox September 20, 2017 Specialist insurer Hiscox, a Lloyd’s of London underwriter, has appointed a former GCHQ director as its special advisor on cyber security. Robert Hannigan was credited with developing the UK’s first cyber security strategy, and with setting up the National Cyber Security Centre as part of the intelligence and security agency GCHQ in 2016. He also [...]
Heathrow calls on government to scrap air passenger duty on domestic flights to level the playing field with Europe in plan for Brexit Britain September 20, 2017 Heathrow has today called for the abolition of air passenger duty (APD) on domestic flights, and improved connections to the capital, in a letter to the chancellor on ways to boost Brexit Britain. The airport said abolishing the tax would level the playing field with Europe. Read more: MPs launch wide-ranging inquiry looking at impact [...]
State aid and post-Brexit trade: What we can learn from the Boeing-Bombardier feud September 20, 2017 The Prime Minister has been in Canada this week. One of the big issues covered was how to keep UK-Canada trade as seamless as possible, given that the Canada-EU trade deal, Ceta (which comes into force this Thursday), will lapse when the UK leaves the EU unless some new agreement is made. It was announced [...]
Apple Pay and UK fintech charity Pennies now let you make donations within apps September 20, 2017 An innovative company behind a “digital charity box” has gained support from Apple for a new way to make donations as the world heads towards becoming cashless. Pennies, a fintech that already rounds up payments made online and gives the extra cash to charity, is now compatable with Apple Pay. It means people shopping via [...]
Ryanair’s already precarious reputation may be grounded by its spate of cancellations September 20, 2017 As Ryanair – and its passengers – begin to count the cost of its decision to cancel 40 to 50 flights every day for the next six weeks, YouGov BrandIndex data suggest that the saga is already denting the airline’s long-term efforts to improve its public perception. The brand blames poor planning of pilots’ holidays [...]
Full employment in Britain has lowered productivity instead of increasing wages September 20, 2017 The UK jobs market is booming, as the latest ONS figures show. Unemployment is at its lowest for over 40 years. A record 32.1m people are in employment, a rise of over three million since the financial crisis. Apart from in a few scattered pockets, Britain is at full employment. Usually in such circumstances, wages [...]
Fifth consecutive monthly house price fall in August as more signs emerge of London market dragging September 20, 2017 London house prices recorded the biggest average fall of any region in England and Wales in August, according to new data, as the squeeze at the top end of the British property market continues. Prices in the capital grew by only 0.7 per cent in the year to August, as the average price dropped by [...]
UK business recoils at Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable’s suggestion of a second EU referendum | City A.M. September 19, 2017 Vince Cable’s calls for a second referendum on Brexit missed the mark with the business community today, as key trade bodies stressed that the UK must prioritise forging a new relationship with the EU. Speaking at the party’s conference in Bournemouth, the Liberal Democrat leader said the British people should be given a “first referendum [...]
Rio Ferdinand: Boxing promoter Mick Hennessy says ex-Manchester United man “should be commended” for stepping into the ring September 19, 2017 Boxing promoter Mick Hennessy has welcomed former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand’s move into professional boxing. The retired footballer is following in the footsteps of former Premier League players Curtis Woodhouse and Leon McKenzie who both took up boxing after retiring from football, as well as ex-England cricketer Freddie Flintoff who won in [...]