Women in London work more than women in the rest of the UK, new study claims May 9, 2016 Women in London work 10 working days more per year than the rest of the UK’s female workforce according to new research. Female millennials are also hard-working, putting in 136 hours or roughly 18 typical working days more than the annual average of 1,556 hours. The research is by Blow LTD, the online “fast beauty” [...]
Productivity might be up as hiring intentions down to lowest levels since 2014 May 9, 2016 A slump in firms' hiring intentions could indicate that the productivity puzzle is finally on the way to being solved, a report out today suggests. The study by professional services firm BDO discovered that, while companies' hiring intentions had dropped to their lowest levels since 2014, their levels of output and optimism are still strong, [...]
UK companies are increasingly worried about the economy – but want to do lots of M&A deals May 9, 2016 UK businesses are increasingly pessimistic about the economy – but hungry to complete deals. A new EY study found confidence in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market has eased back on levels seen at the end of 2015, a record year for announced deals. But the 14th Global Capital Confidence Barometer found UK executives' M&A appetite [...]
HMRC makes almost 1,500 demands in one year to lawyers and accountants to cough up client details May 9, 2016 The UK's tax authority issued just shy of 1,500 demands in the space of a year to lawyers and accountants for information on clients suspected of committing crimes, figures released today show. The research by City law firm RPC discovered the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issued 1,468 production orders last year – and more than [...]
Ready for a Brexit? Most businesses are not, but financial services firms are ahead of the game May 9, 2016 People up and down the country may be preparing themselves to vote at the EU referendum next month, but a study out today suggests that businesses might not be ready for the result. The research by law firm Pinsent Masons found that just a quarter (26 per cent) of senior decision makers from businesses across [...]
Law fails to offer protection for whistleblowers May 9, 2016 The current protections available to whistleblowers in the UK are “inadequate and in need of significant reform”, a report released today. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) was introduced to ensure that whistleblowers would be appropriately compensated if they experience workplace hostility, or are fired after they reveal malpractice in their place of work. [...]
Vote Leave uses leaked email to try and scotch claims Brexit would be bad for whisky May 9, 2016 Just when you thought the icy relationship between the Remain and Leave campaigns couldn't spill any further onto the rocks, a new tussle over whisky has begun. Vote Leave, the campaign for a Brexit, has today published a leaked email in which the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) criticises David Cameron's EU reforms [...]
Why banks should be offering more P2P and bitcoin services for SMEs May 9, 2016 UK banks could generate £8.5bn in extra revenue by 2020 if they broaden their offerings for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to a new report. Accenture's SME Banking 2020 report found there is currently a “significant perception gap” between small businesses and banks. Banks are also facing “stiff competition” from fintech, and should be [...]
Police and protesters clash in Greece as politicians pass new austerity measures May 8, 2016 Police and protesters clashed this evening before Greece's parliament passed a new austerity package. The tax and pension reforms will enable the country to receive more international bailout money. Some of the protesters outside the country's parliament in Athens threw petrol bombs at police, who responded with stun grenades and tear gas. Read more: Europe to Greece: You're [...]
EDF investors to debate Hinkley plant at shareholder meeting this week May 8, 2016 EDF Energy's shareholders will question the company’s management over plans for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant this week. EDF will host a combined shareholders’ meeting on Wednesday where chief executive Jean-Bernard Levy is expected to make a statement on the plant and take questions from investors. The final investment decision on the £18bn project to [...]