Commuters face fresh Southern misery as union ballots members on new strikes August 3, 2016 Southern Rail travellers face fresh commute misery in September after a rail union announced plans to ballot staff over a potential strike. The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association will poll 150 station staff members over Southern railway plans to close ticket offices and cut staffing numbers. 34 offices are set to close, while 49 will only [...]
UK’s Brexit vote expected to have global impact with fall in M&A deals August 3, 2016 The UK’s Brexit vote is expected to hit global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, a new study has found. Seven in 10 global dealmakers believe that while it remains uncertain when and how the UK will leave the EU, the number of global transactions will fall overall. And 67 per cent believe that Britain leaving the [...]
No sign of Brexit fallout at retailer Next – but prices will have to rise next year August 3, 2016 Shares in Next have popped at the open after it said it was yet to see signs the UK's vote for Brexit was weighing on consumer spending in its stores, but warned prices look set to rise in 2017 after sterling's dramatic depreciation. The business, which is seen as a bellwether for the health of the [...]
Energy market regulator Ofgem responds to Competition and Markets Authority’s recommendations August 3, 2016 Ofgem, the gas and electricity markets regulator, has set out its plans to improve competition in the sector, which includes creating a database of customer details to ensure consumers are being offered the best energy deals – and putting a price cap on the amount paid by households using a prepaid meter. The Competition and [...]
Why charities like RNLI must behave like a brand August 3, 2016 The RNLI recently re-launched its ‘Respect the Water’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the danger that our waters can present. Coastal fatalities reached a five-year-high in 2015, underlining the need for the RNLI’s message to be heard. The initiative has also been supplemented by a documentary programme broadcast by the BBC, which tracked the [...]
Jeremy Corbyn ramps up calls for railway renationalisation and for government to take over Southern Rail franchise August 3, 2016 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will today ramp up his pledge to renationalise the UK’s railways. At a public rally in Brighton, one of the cities worst hit by the Southern Rail crisis, Corbyn will call on the government to end the franchise and reiterate the Labour Party’s commitment to a nationalised “People’s Railway”. “If there’s [...]
Brexit vote reminds us of existing concerns August 3, 2016 The full consequences of the UK's vote to leave the European Union are not yet known. Advocates of a painless Brexit can point to data that refutes the worst fears put about by a panicking Remain campaign. But those looking for evidence to demonstrate that those fears weren't baseless have plenty to go on, too. [...]
City Moves for 3 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 3, 2016 Baker & McKenzie Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has appointed Alex Chadwick as managing partner of the London office. The term is for three years, effective from 1 September 2016. Alex, a tax partner, joined Baker & McKenzie as a trainee in 1990 and made partner in 1999. He currently heads the firm's Tax [...]
HSBC calls for “calm consideration” following Brexit vote, as profits slide thanks to uncertain environment August 3, 2016 HSBC has today revealed its pre-tax profits have fallen 29 per cent during its first half of 2016, while suggesting it will be taking a cautious but calm approach to the Brexit vote. The figures The bank reported profits before tax for the first six months of the year of $9.7bn (£7.3bn), down 28.7 per cent from $13.6bn, calling it [...]
Men retiring this year can expect incomes that are a third greater than women August 3, 2016 The gender gap in retirement incomes has widened in 2016 despite women's incomes reaching record highs. Average annual retirement income for men is £19,850 – a third higher than women's – according to research by insurance giant Prudential. The average retirement income of £14,450 for women has grown steadily since the survey began in 2008. Although the gender income gap has almost [...]