Controversial Trade Union Bill passes third reading in the House of Commons November 10, 2015 The government’s controversial Trade Union Bill was met with strong opposition, but ultimately passed the House of Commons in the third reading. Parliament voted 305 in favour, with 271 against, giving a majority of 34. Under the existing rules, if 100 members are balloted and only five vote and three vote yes and two vote [...]
EU referendum: Eurosceptics and Europhiles tear apart Cameron’s reform demands November 10, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has come under criticism from both European Union officials and members of his own political party over his European Union reform agenda. Cameron spelled out new details of his top demands, including major changes to welfare benefits for EU migrants in the UK, in a speech in central London yesterday morning. [...]
Rental rates on Central London office space soars at fastest pace since the financial crisis November 10, 2015 London office rents are climbing at their fastest pace since the financial crisis, according to figures published today by a commercial real estate company. Rental values in Central London rocketed 10.3 per cent in the year to October, CBRE said, the first double-digit growth since April 2008. Demand for office space is high with 3.6m [...]
Government delays Sunday trading plans after SNP threats November 10, 2015 The government has reportedly postponed plans to relax Sunday trading laws in England and Wales after the SNP threatened to block legislation including the proposals. Chancellor George Osborne first proposed in his summer budget changing the rules to allow high street shops in England and Wales to stay open longer on Sundays, but the SNP’s Westminster leader [...]
Jobsite Glassdoor expands into Austria, Switzerland and Belgium November 10, 2015 Jobs and recruiting marketplace Glassdoor has expanded further into Europe, with new launches in Switzerland, Austria and Belgium. The company, which also allows users to "review" their roles and provide salary information, said it has created "country-specific" apps and websites to show local jobs, as well as tools allowing employers to promote their jobs. In January Glassdoor raised [...]
Portuguese government ousted by Socialist coalition after losing parliamentary confidence vote November 10, 2015 Portugal's centre-right coalition government has been voted out of parliament by a vote of 123 to 107 after just 11 days in office. While Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coehlo was expected to lose, it is unclear whether the president of Portugal will ask the Socialist-led coalition – which formed over the weekend to oust the current [...]
Accidental email storms are City workers’ big bugbear November 10, 2015 One pet peeve has been causing more grief than the rest of late – the reply-all email. Also known as an “email storm”, the moment when Jack from accounts accidentally sends “sorry I can’t make the charity do, it’s my girlfriend’s birthday” to a 200-strong workforce is one of the worst moments in a fledgling [...]
Oil & Gas UK’s Business Sentiment Index: Companies feel gloomy for fifth quarter in a row – but slightly less so November 10, 2015 With oil prices remaining stuck at around $50 a barrel, it's hardly surprising that UK oil and gas companies see storm clouds ahead. Oil & Gas UK's business sentiment index posted a negative reading between July to September this year, which is the fifth consecutive quarter. However there was a silver lining, as companies said they felt a little [...]
HMRC to hire evening staff, having unveiling new telephone system to tackle customer service concerns November 10, 2015 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today announced it is taking steps to improve customer service, including hiring staff for outside hours, the BBC has reported. Speaking in front of the Commons Treasury Committee today, Lin Homer, chief executive of HMRC, apologised for the tax authority’s poor track record of dealing with customer phone calls. [...]
Ethnic minorities substantially more likely to go to university than their White British peers, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies November 10, 2015 Ethnic minority groups in England are now more likely to go to university than their White British peers, according to new research published today. Overall, 32.6 per cent of White British students end up at university, a lower rate than any ethnic minoritiy group. Indian and Chinese pupils are twice as likely to go to [...]