Royal London posts positive half-year results with new pension business swelling August 18, 2016 New business and assets under management grew at insurance mutual Royal London despite an "uncertain backdrop" created by the Brexit vote. The figures For the six months to June, total new life and pensions businesses – a figure that represents all the future revenues from new business won discounted back to today's prices – jumped from £3bn to [...]
The value of you increased by £18,000 last year August 18, 2016 Ever wondered how much you're worth to the economy? Well, now you know: the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released analysis showing the value of the UK's human capital increased by £890bn to £19.2 trillion last year. The figures, published this morning, showed the average employed person is now worth £471,000, up £18,000 from 2014. If [...]
Labour party conference in jeopardy after security contract breaks down August 18, 2016 The Labour party conference's go-ahead has been called into question after talks broke down between the GMB union and the remaining bidder for security arrangements. The GMB said that it had asked Labour to cut its ties with Showsec, the last bidder for the contract. Labour's National Executive Committee already voted to boycott G4S last [...]
Retail sales surge as Brits hit the shops in Brexit spending spree August 18, 2016 UK shoppers ignored prophecies of doom-and-gloom in July to hit the stores in their droves, sending retail sales surging in the month after the EU referendum. The pound rallied on the news hitting a two-week high against the dollar as economists said signs of strong consumer confidence were a "major boost" to the post-referendum economy. [...]
Heathrow is to slash landing charges for the quietest aircraft as it seeks to show it can tackle noise pollution August 18, 2016 Heathrow is to reduce landing charges for the quietest aircraft arriving at the airport as it bids to tackle fears around the noise impact of expansion. The government is set to make a decision on airport expansion in October, and the airport has now revealed a package of measures to limit the affect of a [...]
Revealed: The world’s most liveable cities August 18, 2016 The must-read report for anybody thinking of quitting the capital and starting a new life overseas has arrived. And, for those set on leaving London for good, you could do worse than checking out our Commonwealth friends Australia and Canada for a new place to call home. The Economist Intelligence Unit's annual "liveability report" has [...]
Ofgem proposes record budget cuts for National Grid August 18, 2016 Ofgem proposed record spending reductions on the budgets of National Grid as part of its mid-year consultation. The energy regulator has proposed a total of £185m of cuts. The amount of money allocated to National Grid as part of their maintenance of electricity and gas networks in Britain must be agreed by Ofgem. In May Ofgem launched an [...]
Oooh, sourcy: Thomas Cook gets into bed with Webjet August 18, 2016 It looks like Thomas Cook is getting off the source: the travel giant said today it has signed a strategic sourcing partnership with Sunhotels, the online accommodation arm of Webjet. Under the deal, Sunhotels will take responsibility for sourcing and contracting hotels that make up what Thomas Cook calls its complementary business. While the company focuses on its [...]
Obesity plans are a triumph for lobbyists over children’s interests says the chair of parliament’s health committee August 18, 2016 NULL
Tencent overtakes Alibaba as most valuable Chinese tech company August 18, 2016 China's Tencent, one of the biggest tech firms in the region and the owner of messaging app WeChat certainly has something to er, type home about. A stellar set of earnings has sent shares surging as much as 6.2 per cent to an all-time high and topping Alibaba as the most valuable tech company in China in terms [...]