Financing is difficult but not unsurmountable say high-growth business leaders August 30, 2016 Britain's high-growth companies believe access to finance has sharply deteriorated since the Brexit vote but remain positive they can increase revenues over the next 12 months despite the economic challenges that lie ahead. Over 50 per cent of respondents to a survey by private equity investor ECI said gaining new finance was either "difficult" or "very difficult" – up [...]
Now French President and minister say “non” to TTIP negotiations too August 30, 2016 Two key French political figures have cast doubt on trade talks between the EU and the US, shortly after a German minister voiced the same concerns. French President Francois Hollande told ambassadors today he did not think it would be possible to conclude on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) by the end of the year. "The [...]
The Great Fire of London Commemorations: Everything you need to know August 30, 2016 The Great Fire of London which devastated the city and lasted for four days in 1666 marks its 350th anniversary this year, and today is the beginning of its commemoration. To help uncover the stories of this tragedy, a variety of events will take place under the name Great Fire 350. These events, which will [...]
Shell divests $425m in cluster of Gulf of Mexico assets August 30, 2016 Royal Dutch Shell has divested $425m (£324m) plus royalty interests in a cluster of its Gulf of Mexico-based assets. The four blocks sold by the oil giant produce approximately 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day. This is equivalent to 10 per cent of its deepwater production in the region and four per cent of its global [...]
BHP Billiton chief Andrew Mackenzie has bonus axed after Samarco iron ore mine disaster and record profit loss August 30, 2016 BHP Billiton's chief executive will have his bonus scrapped this year following a fatal dam collapse at a Brazilian mine last November and the ongoing decline in global commodity markets. Andrew Mackenzie, who has been at the helm of the mining giant since 2013, will receive no bonus on top of his $1.7m (£1.3m) base salary [...]
Home insurance premiums remain stable despite flood fears and tax increases August 30, 2016 Insurance premiums have not spiked as was feared following the flooding that blighted parts of Britain earlier this year. The latest research shows that annual premiums have increased just 1.6 per cent for the year to July. Furthermore, these price changes include the increase in insurance premium tax in November 2015 from six to 9.5 per cent. In addition there [...]
Here’s what Apple has to say about that €13bn tax ruling August 30, 2016 Apple has responded to the conclusion of a European probe into its tax arrangements that has resulted in a tax bill for the tech company of up to €13bn… and it isn't mincing its words. "The European Commission has launched an effort to rewrite Apple’s history in Europe, ignore Ireland’s tax laws and upend the international tax system [...]
Starwood’s W Hotels announce deal to operate Edinburgh hotel August 30, 2016 | City Talk Starwood Hotels & Resorts is to bring its iconic W Hotels brand to Edinburgh, as the centrepiece of the flagship £850m Edinburgh St James development. W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and an industry innovator with 49 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world and it is coming [...]
Mortgage approvals fell to 18-month low in the first full month since the Brexit vote August 30, 2016 Mortgage approvals hit an 18-month low last month, according to figures from the Bank of England. In the first full month after the Brexit vote, approvals fell to 60,912 – down from 64,152 approvals in June. The number of approvals has been falling since March, when the stamp duty hike on second homes came into effect. There [...]
Eurozone economic sentiment fell to a five-month low in August after June’s Brexit vote August 30, 2016 Economic sentiment among the 19 members of the Eurozone fell during August to its lowest level since March, according to new EU data. The European Commission's Eurozone Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) fell to 103.5 over the past month, from 104.5 in July – well below the 104.1 forecast by a Reuters poll of economists. Confidence was [...]