Remain dream team? A most unlikely group is speaking out on Brexit – Osborne, Balls and Cable join forces May 16, 2016 An unlikely group has gathered at, of all places, Stansted Airport, to make the case for Britain remaining in Europe. The chancellor George Osborne has been joined by former political rivals Ed Balls and Vince Cable – as well as outspoken Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. The unlikely trio, representing the UK's main political parties, stood together united against [...]
Barclays loses its metal as it sells London gold, silver, platinum and palladium vault to ICBC Standard Bank May 16, 2016 Barclays has signed an agreement to sell its precious metals storage business in the UK to ICBC Standard Bank. ICBC Standard Bank, which is a union of Chinese ICBC and the Standard Bank Group, will acquire the precious metals vaulting business for an undisclosed sum to expand its commodities capabilities in metals clearing and storage services. [...]
EU referendum: Prime Minister David Cameron says poorest would be worst hit in recession while he praises EU for equality and human rights May 16, 2016 Every single job depends on a strong economy, which itself depends on the EU, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned. The Prime Minister, appealing to similar arguments Labour has made for remaining in the EU, echoed sentiments of the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, that a recession could hit in the event of Brexit, [...]
BP makes new North Sea investment despite “challenging times” May 16, 2016 Oil crisis? What oil crisis? BP has doubled its interest in a North Sea development, despite it being a "challenging time for the industry" (bit of an understatement, that). The oil giant has acquired an additional 16 per cent interest in the Culzean development in the UK Central North Sea from JX Nippon. BP is currently [...]
Aerobics in the aisles: How supermarkets could solve the obesity crisis, according to Oliver Wyman May 16, 2016 Are the UK's Big Four supermarkets responsible for the obesity crisis? Global management consultancy Oliver Wyman seems to think so. In a report released today, Oliver Wyman has said the Big Four "hold the answer" to the crisis should be using their "considerable influence" to save one million people from being obese and 1.5mn from being [...]
Nissan accused of manipulating emissions tests by South Korean government May 16, 2016 The South Korean government has now accused Nissan of manipulating emissions tests for its Qashqai model. Nissan has denied any wrongdoing, but the government is planning to fine the car maker 330m won (£195,000) and sue the head of Nissan's Korean operation. The allegations come after a probe of 20 diesel car models by the environment ministry. Read [...]
Watch out Tesco, now Amazon’s creating its own-brand range May 16, 2016 Is Amazon trying to eat even more of Tesco and the rest of the supermarkets' lunch? Not satisfied with muscling in on the grocery world with speedy deliveries straight to your door, the retailer-slash-tech giant is now planning on selling its own-label range of food and other sundries, according to reports. A new line of products that [...]
Surprise: Asking prices have jumped to new record highs of £308,151 across England and Wales May 16, 2016 In what seems now to be an ongoing trend, asking prices in England and Wales jumped to a new record high of £308,151 on average in May. The "eye-watering" increase is a rise of £1,118 on the previous month, property website Rightmove said in figures released today. The price uplift has come despite a flurry to [...]
Oh thanks Sajid: Business secretary says women shouldn’t be forced to wear heels at work May 16, 2016 It's been criticised by activists. It's been the subject of a massive social media campaign. But now, like Naomi Campbell in a pair of Christian Louboutin's finest, the business secretary has stomped in to declare: women shouldn't have to wear high heels at work. Thanks for that. It's only been six days since the story broke… In a [...]
Working nine to five, that’s no way to make a living (any more) May 16, 2016 Working nine till five is no longer the way to make a living, a new study suggests. More than a quarter of companies (26 per cent) now offer flexi-time options to all of their employees, according to research by Monster.co.uk. Seven per cent of the firms surveyed, meanwhile, specifically offer this service to more senior workers. [...]