Soz, Osborne: Buy to let stamp duty changes aren’t putting many potential landlords off March 30, 2016 The best laid plans, and all that. It seems George Osborne's attempts to put potential landlords off sinking their cash into buy-to-let properties may not be having quite the desired effect – after new research suggested not many have given up on their plans to buy rental properties. The research, by the Nottingham Building Society, [...]
EU referendum: The five job sectors already feeling the Brexit squeeze March 30, 2016 The number of job vacancies in the UK has fallen significantly and wage growth has slowed too – and it's the prospect of Brexit which is the most likely to blame. “There are signs that caution is controlling the current UK jobs market and stalling the recovery. One possible explanation is that uncertainty around Brexit means hiring intentions have been [...]
Tinder swipes right to acquire contact management startup Humin and “accelerate our product roadmap” March 30, 2016 Dating app Tinder has swiped right on Humin, agreeing a takeover deal for the contact management startup. Tinder's founder and chief executive Sean Rad said the company and its apps would be used to "accelerate our product roadmap". Like Tinder, Humin was founded in 2012. It has two contact management apps – Humin Contacts and Knock Knock. [...]
There was a fire at ITV Studios this morning and London Fire Brigade made a pun about it March 30, 2016 London Fire Brigade has tackled a fire at ITV Studios this morning – but not before it meant Good Morning Britain was forced off air. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to ITV Studios on London’s Southbank this morning, where an IT post production room was on fire. Around 50 people evacuated [...]
National Living Wage may motivate employees but here’s what it will do to productivity March 30, 2016 While the majority of businesses support the sentiment of National Living Wage (NLW), many are doubting it will boost productivity in the office, despite employees saying the pay rise will make them more motivated. According to a study released today by Close Brothers, 50 per cent of SME owners and managers it surveyed have their doubts that [...]
Oh, GoD: Former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell doubts UK could negotiate Brexit within two-year time limit March 30, 2016 The UK would struggle to negotiate its exit from the European Union within the two-year time limit, according to a former cabinet secretary. A Brexit win in June's referendum would lead to a "very complex process", Lord Gus O'Donnell (known to his mates as "God") has said. And he described the prospect of winning support from all [...]
UK economists top 100: From George Magnus to Stephen King, these are the most influential financial experts in the UK and Ireland March 30, 2016 Maybe you want to get your head around why British workers aren't producing as much as they should be, quibble about when the Bank of England should start hiking interest rates, or simply stay on top of the steady stream of economic indicators spun out by various agencies. There's a lot of chatter out there [...]
Hornby’s share price soars as Barclays grants lifeline on banking covenants March 30, 2016 Hornby's share price soared more than 15 per cent this morning, after the troubled toymaker was granted a last-minute lifeline on its banking covenants. The firm behind Thomas the Tank Engine warned back in February that it was on course to breach its covenants, alongside yet another profit warning. Chief executive Richard Ames was given the heave-ho [...]
Personal Group share price up as preliminary results for year ended December 2015 show improved revenues and profits March 30, 2016 Share price in Personal Group rose this morning after the company revealed that both its profits and revenues had grown in its results for the year ended December 2015. The company, which provides a range of employee benefit, insurance and financial services, announced that its profits before tax had grown to £10.4m, up 14 per [...]
Nostrum Oil & Gas reports 54 per cent dip in earnings despite cost cutting in “challenging” 2015 March 30, 2016 Nostrum Oil & Gas has reported its a 54 per cent dip in earnings for 2015 following a “challenging” year. The figures The company has reported earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of $229m (£159m) for the year to 31 December 2015. This is down 54 per cent from $495m in 2014. The company reported [...]