Labour hits out at government complacency leading to “pension crisis” August 23, 2016 Labour has slammed the government for failing to take action over pensions on the back of a survey finding that three in five people taking money out have no plans for care in old age. The survey from Citizens Advice found more than half of people who have taken money out under new pensions freedoms [...]
Edinburgh should stay the top UK location for commercial property investment outside London post-Brexit August 23, 2016 | City Talk It’s fair to say we live in interesting times post-Brexit. The only tangible outcome of the United Kingdom’s EU referendum on 23 June has been uncertainty so far. But while many across corporate Britain wait for greater clarity, property deals continue to be made – with investors showing a clear preference for traditionally strong, robust [...]
No man is an island: Air Mauritius benefits from a move out of its comfort zone August 23, 2016 Air Mauritius posted its best first quarter results in ten years as lower oil prices piloted a return to profitability. Although modest, the €2m net profit for the three months to June 2016 was a huge turnaround from a €9.8m loss during the same period in 2015. "This positive performance is due to the company’s efforts to improve [...]
Almost one-in-three former Labour backers say Jeremy Corbyn was the chief reason behind their move away from the party August 23, 2016 Jeremy Corbyn has been the largest single factor behind drooping Labour support, according to a Yougov study of 200 former Labour backers. Of 1,000 Labour supporters previously interviewed by the pollster, Yougov returned to roughly 200 who said they would no longer back the party and get the main reasons behind their rejection of Labour. Respondents were [...]
The mobile payments battle just intensified in the UK August 23, 2016 iZettle is likely a familiar sight if you frequent small coffee shops or market stalls across the capital. The tiny card reading machine has sprung up across the UK, making it easier for shops to offer customers the option of paying by card without having to invest in the pricey systems offered by the big tech companies. [...]
High Speed 2 shortlists firms for phase two packages worth £520m August 23, 2016 A number of firms have been shortlisted for contracts on the second phase of High Speed 2 (HS2) worth a total of £520m. The £350m professional services contract will be fought out between four firms, while three will compete for the £170m programme development partner role. The winners for both packages will be announced before the [...]
National Grid ordered by Ofgem to pay £18m towards Drax contract August 23, 2016 The energy watchdog has ruled that National Grid will have to pay almost £18m towards a contract with power firm Drax. National Grid had sought recovery of up to £113m in costs relating to contracts it signed with Drax and Fiddler's Ferry in April. The agreements would see the power stations help re-energise the grid [...]
Output up but sentiment downbeat – Japan’s latest PMI data gives hope for a recovery reinvigoration August 23, 2016 Japan's manufacturing sector was given a boost as output expanded for the first time since February although PMI sentiment remained subdued. The Flash Japan Manufacturing Output Index for August rose to 50.6 from 49.4 in July but the manufacturing PMI remained below the bell-weather 50 mark at 49.6 – up from 49.3 in July. “Japan’s manufacturing sector edged closer [...]
Rank Group reports revenue and profit growth after rejection of William Hill takeover bid August 23, 2016 Casino operator Rank Group has reported "solid" results for the year to 30 June, less than one week after abandoning its takeover bid for William Hill. The figures Group revenue was up two per cent to £753m from £738.3m. Profit for the year dipped slightly to £74.7m from £74.8m in 2015, while pre-tax profit rose by [...]