Brexit Multiverse of Madness: ‘Jacob Rees-Mogg is hoping for the reality-bending powers of Marvel’s Dr Strange’ February 23, 2022 The new Brexit Opportunities Minister, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has said that Brexit is ‘already a success’ and ‘the evidence that Brexit has caused trade drops is few and far between’. City A.M. spoke to one of the UK’s biggest international delivery firms and their response was “He said that? Well, not in our universe.” In fact, [...]
‘Rule of Origin’ Brexit rule starts to bite: UK customs duties jump 64 per cent in a year to record £4.5bn February 23, 2022 Customs duties paid by UK businesses have jumped 64 per cent to a record £4.5bn in the year to 31 January 2022, up from £2.9bn in the previous 12 months, according to new research shared with City A.M. this afternoon. The rise comes as post-Brexit increases in customs duties begin to bite for UK businesses [...]
Champagne in Canary Wharf as Barclays profits more than double to £8.4bn but Jes Staley’s bonus suspended February 23, 2022 Barclays has revealed pre-tax profits soared to £8.4bn in 2021 as it released cash set aside for pandemic loan losses and notched up record investment banking earnings. The banking giant more than doubled profits from £3.1bn in 2020 thanks to the release of £700m in bad debt provisions, compared with £4.8bn set aside for Covid [...]
Rio Tinto to pay out biggest-ever dividend to shareholders after achieving record earnings of £15.7bn February 23, 2022 Mining firm Rio Tinto achieved record financial results in 2021, recording a free cash flow of £13bn and underlying earnings of £15.7bn. The figures led to the company paying its biggest ever dividend to shareholders. Net cash generated from the iron ore producer’s operating activities improved 60 per cent on 2020 levels while profit after [...]
Firms on the hunt for staff despite labour squeeze February 23, 2022 Employers are planning on expanding their workforce despite an ongoing labour squeeze scuppering recruitment efforts, reveals a new survey published today. A net 24 per cent of companies intend to ramp up hiring over both the medium and long term, according to a survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Strong hiring intentions indicate [...]
GSK reveals name of new consumer goods spin-off will be ‘Haleon’ February 22, 2022 Pharmaceuticals giant Glaxosmithkline (GSK) has revealed that its consumer healthcare business will be called Haleon once it is spun off.
Barclays freezes share awards for ex-boss as Staley fights Epstein probe February 22, 2022 Barclays has frozen share awards to Jes Staley, its former chief executive, as he contests the an investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
Buy-to-let investors profit taking boosts CGT take to record level February 22, 2022 Buy-to-let investors taking profits on their properties has propelled capital gains tax (CGT) receipts to their highest ever level, revealed official figures published yesterday. The Treasury received 20 per cent more income from capital gains tax last year, with receipts climbing to £12.9bn from £10.8bn from the previous year, according to HMRC. A red hot [...]
BoE deputy governor voted for ‘front-loaded’ tightening to quash wage pressures February 22, 2022 Strengthening wage pressures risking further upside inflation surprises led a deputy governor at the Bank of England to vote for a “front-loaded tightening in monetary policy”. Sir Dave Ramsden, a member of the Bank’s rate setting committee who voted for a 50 basis point rate hike at Threadneedle Street’s last meeting, said yesterday further hikes [...]
IMF sounds alarm over Nigeria CBDC money laundering risks February 22, 2022 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Nigeria's central bank digital currency (CBDC) could create financial risks.