Sadiq Khan has vowed to push ahead with a housing plan his critics call “unrealistic” and “needlessly complex” September 14, 2016 Sadiq Khan has defended plans to sell off Transport for London land at reduced rates, claiming the approach “does right by London”, despite claims the plans are “unrealistic” and “needlessly complex”. Khan is set to press ahead with the sale of one patch of land at Kidbrooke in Greenwich, despite warnings his affordable housing requirements [...]
Greek debt crisis: Fresh drama looms as cabinet minister attacks International Monetary Fund September 14, 2016 Greece has struck out at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the ongoing argument over the country's debt crisis continues to simmer. The country's employment minister, George Katrougalos, warned the Fund today it would no longer tolerate its "extreme" calls for reforms to the minimum wage, pensions and collective bargaining rules. The IMF is one leg of the [...]
Now you can get Twitter on your TV screen September 14, 2016 Twitter may have helped create the idea of the second screen, as fans tweeted along to their favourite TV shows from their phones, but now the troubled social network wants to be centre stage on the main screen. It has signed a new deal with Apple, Amazon and Microsoft to appear on their TV services as it expands [...]
Germany leads the Eurozone manufacturers in prolonged summer slump September 14, 2016 The Eurozone economy faded over the summer, as industrial production slipped and the single currency bloc is still fighting for growth. Industrial production dropped by 1.1 per cent in August, worse than expectations and down from a 0.8 per cent jump in July. Output in Germany, whose car makers started their summer shutdown a little earlier than [...]
TfL warns Hammersmith & City and Circle Line workers to go on strike Today and Friday September 14, 2016 Transport for London (TfL) has warned Londoners that there may be a strike on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines today and tomorrow. Some drivers on these two lines who are RMT union members are currently planning to strike from 21:30 on Thursday 15 September for 24 hours, TfL said. which will see some drivers not book [...]
Three Hanjin charter ships sold as cargo freeze likened to “Lehman collapse” September 14, 2016 Three ships that had been chartered by troubled shipping firm Hanjin have been sold and two more put up for sale. The collapse of Hanjin – which filed for bankruptcy last month – has played havoc with global cargo flows and been likened to the Lehman credit freeze in terms of its effect on the industry. Brokers told Reuters one ship [...]
Brexit vote helps private equity giant raise €4.5bn for mid-cap fund targeting continental Europe September 14, 2016 Private equity giant Ardian has announced the launch of a new fund worth €4.5bn (£3.8bn), with fundraising thought to have been boosted by Brexit. Paris-based Ardian’s LBO VI is the biggest European mid-cap fund of 2016 and was raised in four months. Read more: UK private equity firm's shares leap after £1bn US takeover offer [...]
Dunelm Group reveals seven per cent uptick in revenue as it hikes dividend by 17 per cent September 14, 2016 Furniture retailer Dunelm Group has hiked its dividend after reporting increased revenues and profits for the 52 weeks to 2 July. The figures Total revenues grew 7.1 per cent to £880.9m from £835.8m the year before. Operating profit was up to £129.3m from £122.5m, a 6.6 per cent year-on-year change, while pre-tax profit was up 6.2 [...]
China expected to be the golden ticket for Accesso as revenue leaps September 14, 2016 International growth in resorts and attractions is set to work well for ticketing technology company Accesso in coming years. China's booming middle class could propel the country to the fore of global theme park, resort, and attraction ticket sales and Accesso is expecting to be able to take a slice of the action. Bottom line growth in recent months means the Berkshire-based company is now eyeing up expansion [...]
The Mayor of London has opted to protect privilege not competition September 14, 2016 Sadiq Khan’s crackdown on London’s private hire industry is a sop to a privileged monopoly that distorts competitive markets and fails to defend consumer interests. As private hire services make inroads into London’s black cab monopoly, the case to protect them from decline and enforce consumer safety may sound reasonable. But Khan’s reforms go beyond safety and are [...]