Who leaves you hanging? In London, it’s banks March 10, 2021 Banks are the worst at answering customer service calls in the capital, with 33 per cent of Londoners saying it is financial institutions that led them wait the longest, if they are able to get through at all. A new Moneypenny survey, revealing the organisations that are worst at answering the phone, singled out utility [...]
Ministers to consult on cutting air passenger duty for domestic flights March 10, 2021 The government today confirmed that it was launching a consultation on cutting air passenger duty (APD) on domestic flights in a bid to improve travel links within the UK. The review is part of a broader suite of recommendations identified in former TfL boss Sir Peter Hendy’s report on the connectivity of the UK, which [...]
Tesla shares rocket as electric car stock ends slump March 9, 2021 Shares in electric car firm Tesla shot upwards nearly 20 per cent today, bringing an end to five days of losses. Having shed a third yesterday, the stock rallied in dramatic style today, picking up 18.6 per cent amid a wider rally in Nasdaq-listed tech stocks. Since hitting an all-time high on 26 January, the [...]
Euros football tournament could mark post-Covid ‘London renaissance’, says minister March 9, 2021 Euros football tournament could mark post-Covid 'London renaissance', says minister
The race is on: Greece the latest EU state to woo UK tourists, who’ll be welcomed back from May March 9, 2021 Greece the latest EU state to woo UK tourists, who'll be welcomed back from May
Domestic cruises set to restart from 17 May March 9, 2021 Domestic cruises could restart in the UK along with the lifting of travel restrictions from 17 May, MPs were told today. Maritime minister Robert Courts told the All Party Parliamentary Maritime and Ports Group that such trips could restart along with domestic holidays from that date. A statement from the Department for Transport confirmed that [...]
Norwegian watchdog mulls blocking Rolls-Royce sale of Bergen Engines March 9, 2021 Norway’s NSM security watchdog may prevent the agreed $178m sale of Rolls-Royce’s unit Bergen Engines unit to a Russian entity. According to a Reuters report this morning, citing a Norwegian ministry of justice statement from today, the Russian buyer is controlled by TMH Group.
Dutch to lift ban on flights and ferries from UK tomorrow March 8, 2021 The Dutch government will tomorrow lift a travel ban on commercial flights and passenger ferries from the UK, local media reported. As with many European countries, the Netherlands banned incoming travel from Britain back in January in a bid to prevent the spread of a new, more infectious variant of Covid-19. However, with that variant [...]
Private equity group TPG in exclusive talks to buy McLaren’s iconic Woking HQ March 8, 2021 Private equity group TPG is in exclusive talks with supercar maker McLaren over the purchase of the firm’s iconic Woking headquarters. Sky News reported that the sale-and-leaseback deal for the property, which would allow the carmaker to continue using it, could be worth around £180m. The spectacular facility, which houses the firm’s collection of classic [...]
Richard Branson sues train partner for £180m in Virgin brand dispute March 8, 2021 Sir Richard Branson is suing a former US partner for $250m (£180m) over its decision to drop the Virgin name from its trains due to a perceived decline in brand value. Virgin and Brightline inked a 20-year licensing deal in 2018 that allowed the American company to rebrand trains on its service as Virgin Trains [...]