Seven in 10 northern businesses don’t believe government will invest in the Northern Powerhouse, despite HS3, Crossrail 2 and infrastructure pledges March 18, 2016 During his Budget speech George Osborne upped his pledges towards the Northern Powerhouse project, but northern businesses are not convinced the government will deliver on its plans. Despite the infrastructure commitments such as giving the green light to HS3 between Manchester and Leeds, key A-road upgrades and funding Crossrail 2, seven in 10 respondents said they did not believe [...]
This is the city in England with the highest house prices – and it isn’t London March 18, 2016 House prices in London may seem extortionate – but there’s one place in England that’s worse. New data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that St Albans has the highest average house prices of anywhere in England and Wales. The Hertfordshire city has a median house price of £390,000 compared to the median [...]
EU migrant crisis: European leaders agree deal with Turkey to help stem the flow of migrants March 18, 2016 European leaders and Turkey have come to an agreement to help stem the flow of migrants into Europe, President of the European Council Donald Tusk has confirmed. Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka also announced the deal on Twitter: "Agreement with Turkey approved. All illegal migrants who arrive to Greece from Turkey starting 20 March will be returned!" [...]
EDF aid would be funded by French state asset sales, says Finance Minister Michel Sapin March 18, 2016 The French finance minister has said any additional aid to cash-strapped utility giant EDF must be financed by selling state assets to avoid increasing public debt. The French finance minister, Michel Sapin, said that the government was yet to decide on how it would help EDF. "Should we need to recapitalise any public company, we would do [...]
Budget 2016: Government committed to disability benefit cuts as chancellor George Osborne faces potential backbench Conservative rebellion March 18, 2016 Number 10 has said it "remains committed" to cutting disability benefits this parliament, despite the prospect of a backbench rebellion over the issue. The backbench Tories claim they have the numbers to overcome the government's plans over personal independent payment changes, according to reports. Education secretary Nicky Morgan had suggested that the government would climbdown on the proposal [...]
Toshiba share price up 4.2 per cent on close as company confirms it is cooperating with US authorities March 18, 2016 The Japanese electronics conglomerate Toshiba saw its shares rise by 4.2 per cent as trading closed in Tokyo today. Toshiba also today confirmed that its US arm is under investigation into losses at its nuclear power operations, after allegations surfaced that there had been major fraud in the accounting operations at the corporation's US-based nuclear business [...]
Back on the (turn)table – Sainsbury’s to start selling vinyl records from March 21 March 18, 2016 In a blast from the past Sainsbury's will soon start selling vinyl records again for the first time since the 1980s. Responding for booming demand for vinyl, which grew by over 60 per cent in 2015 and 70 per cent in the first quarter of 2016, from 21 March a mix of 18 contemporary and classic [...]
Brent and WTI crude: Oil prices hit 2016 high above $42 March 18, 2016 Oil rose above $42 per barrel today, helped by growing optimism that producers could agree a production freeze deal and a weak dollar. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 1.64 per cent to $42.22 per barrel, having touched a 2016 high of $42.31 earlier in the day. West Texas Intermediate crude, the US benchmark, added 1.8 [...]
Domino’s Pizza unveils the “world’s first” pizza delivery robot March 18, 2016 Domino's Pizza is has taken a military droid and turned it into a the world's first pizza delivery robot called DRU. DRU, Domino's Robotic Unit, is a prototype which the company says is "unlike anything seen before". The four-wheeled robot can travel at speeds of up to 20km per hour across footpaths, trails and bike paths. And when [...]
EU referendum: Brexit would be as bad for families as the financial crisis, London School of Economics warns March 18, 2016 Family incomes could be hit by up to £6,400 – a decline in UK GDP equivalent to the 2008 financial crisis – if the UK votes for a Brexit, according to research released today. The effect of reduced trade and productivity would result in UK incomes falling by between 6.3 per cent and 9.5 per cent, or [...]