From BHS to Brexit and the banks we love to hate: Here’s what got us talking
We learned what makes Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith crumble.
Halifax was in the dog house over Top Cat.
And the pot called the kettle black when Cameron took Farage to task over his “poncey” surname.
Here’s what got us talking…
The billionaire has faced calls for his knighthood to be taken away (Source: Getty)
1) BHS blues – but is there worse to come?
The big story of the week came from the high street, as BHS entered administration on Monday – with Austin Reed following suit the day after. Some suggested BHS’ demise was more significant than Woolies’ eight years ago, and former owner Sir Philip Green has a grilling from MPs in the post although the finger of blame is also pointed at Dominic Chappell.
2) The shareholder spring rumbled on
It was a busy week for AGMs in which shareholders made their voices loud and clear, voting against pay rewards for engineering firm Wier Group and pharma giant Shire. Barclays managed to swerve any real revolt, but the boss did have to eat humble pie.
3) Dyson blew away the competition
As long as you don’t mind blowing £300 on a hairdryer, that is.
4) We found out who the UK’s most-hated banks were
There was stiff competition in this category.
5) Going bananas over Brexit
Whether it was economists saying the EU was “evil” or the OECD warning leaving the union would result in a “Brexit tax”, everyone was voicing their views this week. Former PM John Major wound up Brexiteers by telling them to “go to North Korea” but Nigel Farage claimed food would be cheaper on the outside. With contradictory facts and figures flying around, we were left arguably no closer to the truth.
Leisurely reads
City A.M. Unregulated: Why BHS isn’t sign of a dying high street
Unlicensed and off-the-leash, this is City A.M. Unregulated. A no-holds-barred, uncensored look at the stories breaking the news and the markets across the globe. Read more.
Charts of the week
Bankers might feel like they have the hardest job in the country – but at least they’re being paid for it
Great reads from Elsewhere
With Tiger Woods back out on the links for the first time in months this week, this stunningly detailed investigation into how lost his position as greatest golfer in the world with a wrecked marriage and weird fascination with getting beaten up is well worth a read.
Meanwhile pipeline closures, low oil prices and geopolitical tensions have conspired to stop the Kurds enjoying the independence that typically goes hand in hand with increasing oil reserves. This article looks at what life is like when oil isn’t a golden ticket.
