EasyJet “Sneakairs”: Airline is testing smart shoes to help customers explore destinations May 13, 2016 No joke: EasyJet wants to launch "Sneakairs" – smart shoes – to help travellers explore cities. The airline has unveiled a prototype smart shoe with built-in technology that aims to help customers explore new cities with ease, so they can take in sites and surroundings. Read more: EasyJet is testing hybrid planes using hydrogen fuel [...]
IMF Brexit analysis will be published just days before the EU referendum May 13, 2016 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will publish a full assessment of how Brexit will affect the UK economy less than one week before Brits go to the polls on 23 June. While issuing a stark warning that a vote to leave the EU could trigger a recession – the second in two days after Mark Carney's [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to launch consultation to tackle air pollution in London May 13, 2016 Sadiq Khan has been a busy man in his first week as Mayor of London. Following his "Hopper" bus fare and applause of more armed police in London, Khan has today confirmed that he will launch a formal consultation in a matter of weeks related to a major package of measures to tackle air pollution [...]
Eurozone GDP misses expectations May 13, 2016 Eurozone gross domestic product undershot expectations in the first quarter, data released today has shown. European statistics agency Eurostat said the single currency union's economy grew 0.5 per cent in the first three months of 2016, representing a downward revision from its initial estimate of 0.6 per cent. Read more: Germany records strongest GDP growth for two [...]
IMF head Christine Lagarde backs up Mark Carney in battle over a Brexit recession May 13, 2016 Brexit could push the UK into recession, hit wages, lead to higher prices and shatter London's status as the financial capital of the world, Christine Lagarde, head of International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said today, in the second high-profile Brexit warning in as many days. With less than six weeks to go until the EU referendum, – described [...]
Cranes down: Pound falls as UK’s construction output plummets in the first quarter of 2016 May 13, 2016 If you're a crane enthusiast, look away now: the UK's construction output suffered a shock slowdown in March, official figures have shown, as fears over the referendum began to bite. The pound was down 0.25 per cent, at 1.4415 against the dollar after the figures, which showed output in the sector fell 1.1 per cent in the first [...]
These are the 18 highest-paying jobs in London’s finance sector May 13, 2016 If you're thinking of moving into the finance sector, chances are the salary is going to be one of your main reasons. But which roles offer the megabucks? Salary benchmarking site Emolument.com has crunched the numbers – and found that with an average salary of £178,000 and a bonus almost as high, at £148,000, bankers in [...]
EU referendum: Former Prime Minister Sir John Major attacks some fellow Conservatives for “morphing into Ukip” with immigration arguments May 13, 2016 Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has jumped back into the EU debate, attacking pro-Leave Conservatives that he says are "morphing into Ukip". In a speech later today, Major will say that some Tories are fanning the flames of prejudice on hot topics such as immigration. While accepting the level of immigration is cause for [...]
Thatcher’s former energy secretary Lord Howell warns of China’s secret plan for Hinkley May 13, 2016 Margaret Thatcher's former energy secretary has warned that China has a secret plan to build two nuclear reactors on the Hinkley site if French utility giant EDF's controversial £21bn project falls through. Speaking in the House of Lords last night, Howell said: "Is my noble friend aware that the Chinese also have a plan B, which [...]
Readers rejoice: Printed book sales rise for first time in four years as ebooks undergo decline May 13, 2016 For anyone starting to fear that soon they will no longer be able to enjoy the touch of a printed book, today has brought good news: print books may be showing something of a revival. The Publishers Association has today revealed that sales of print books are rising for the first time in four years, while [...]