EU referendum: Two Britons living abroad lose Court of Appeal battle over right to vote in June May 20, 2016 Two Britons living abroad have lost a Court of Appeal battle over their right to vote in June's EU referendum. The legal challenge, brought by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler and lawyer Jacquelyn MacLennan, was made after the pair lost their application for a judicial review last month. Under the law UK citizens that have lived [...]
Working from home is becoming more common – but London and finance lag behind the average May 20, 2016 If you'd take a lie-in and pyjama-wearing over office politics and a sweaty commute, good news – working from home is becoming more common. New research has suggested it has increased by around a fifth in the last decade. Some 1.52m, or around 5.7 per cent, of workers are now estimated to regularly work from home [...]
Ladbrokes takes step closer to Coral takeover – but it could be forced to shut 400 shops first May 20, 2016 Shares in Ladbrokes were up almost 12 per cent this morning, after the competition watchdog suggested its takeover of Gala Coral was nearing the final furlong. But first the betting chain could be forced to close as many as 400 shops. Shares in the bookie hit 133.3p in mid-morning trading after the Competition and Markets [...]
Co-operative Bank: Core business posts profit – but group warns there is still hard work ahead May 20, 2016 The Co-operative Bank's core business has posted a profit for the first three months of the year – shrugging off the losses it made last year. The figures It was a bit of a mixed bag, with total core bank net customer loans up from £14.7bn at the end of December to £15.2bn, thanks to growth [...]
Cabinet Office privatisation of Whitehall functions cost £4m more than it saved May 20, 2016 The Cabinet Office's privatisation of a number of Whitehall functions has not delivered value for money, costing £4m per year more than it saved, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Most departments successfully outsource functions to one of two independent shared service centres, delivering overall savings of £90m to customers in the first two and [...]
Sharing is caring: Science has found a solution to tackling low battery on our mobile phones through new system PowerShare May 20, 2016 It's time to rejoice as science might finally have solved one of the most tiresome 21st century (and first world) problems we're all blighted with – low phone battery. A new technology, called PowerShare, consists of docking aids and flexible coils that are embedded in a smartphone or smartwatch that allow you to control the [...]
Where to buy? Here are 31 hotspots where house prices are set to soar May 20, 2016 Homeowners might think their investment is safe as houses. But when it comes to house price growth, not all postcodes were created equal. A list of 31 areas where house prices are set to rocket in the next five years has been put together by an estate agent. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Greater London, the South [...]
Government policies to avoid blackouts will add £100 to UK household bills May 20, 2016 Government schemes to keep the lights on and meet low-carbon targets will add £100 to annual household bills within five years. The capacity market and contracts for difference which help guarantee the UK's energy security will help drive energy subsidies up by 124 per cent by 2020-21. Read more: National Grid warns government over handing blackout responsibilities to energy [...]
Watch out bitcoin: Competitor cryptocurrency Ethereum’s value is already up 1,100 per cent this year May 20, 2016 Watch out bitcoin, there's a new kid firmly on the block. Bitcoin competitor Ethereum has shot up in value to become the world's fastest growing major cryptocurrency since the start of this year, growing by 1,100 per cent since the beginning of January. In comparison, the price of bitcoin has grown by around five per [...]
BHS liquidation rumours dismissed: Sale expected “early next week” May 20, 2016 A sale of BHS as a going concern could be revealed as early as next week – but there are still concerns that the iconic retailer may end up being liquidated. A source close to the situation has told City A.M. that bids are still being mulled and it is hoped BHS will be sold [...]