Why working with virtual staff might be easier than you think January 19, 2016 It’s been coming on for quite some time, but in the last five years particularly, there has been rapid growth in virtual working. For employers however, there is still some reluctance to embrace the concept, despite the fact that virtual workers are often far more cost-effective and can lead to an increase in productivity. So what’s the secret [...]
Eurozone construction jumps in November January 19, 2016 Construction in the Eurozone jumped 0.8 per cent in November compared with the month, adding to the evidence that the economy of the currency-bloc is picking up speed. Compared with the same month last year, construction was up 2.1 per cent, the figures released this morning by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, show. While [...]
Here’s how the government wants to use blockchain’s distributed ledger technology January 19, 2016 Blockchain's distributed ledger technology (DLT) could save billions of pounds by preventing welfare fraud and benefit overpayment errors, according to the government's chief science adviser. The technology could provide a cheap and easy way of getting welfare claimants without bank accounts into the system as well as verifying their identities and would also provide a transparent account [...]
Morden Tube stabbing: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after victim dies at the scene January 19, 2016 A man has been arrested after a stabbing outside Morden Tube station during rush hour this morning left another men dead. Metropolitan Police, the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance all attended the incident, which took place on Kendor Gardens, SW19 shortly after 8am. However the victim, thought to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the [...]
Business groups slam proposals for new £1000 annual tax on non-EU workers, saying levy will send message that UK is no longer open to international talent January 19, 2016 In a move that business groups say "sends a signal to the rest of the world that UK is not an attractive place to invest and do business", an expert committee has today recommended that the government tighten rules and impose a major new tax for employing non-EU migrant workers. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), a group of [...]
Scottish independence referendum: Better Together campaign fined by Electoral Commission for failing to provide report on its spending January 19, 2016 Having failed to provide a full and complete report on its spending on the Scottish independence referendum, the Better Together campaign has been slapped with a fine by the Electoral Commission. The watchdog gave the Better Together campaign a £2,000 fine as it didn't provide receipts or invoices for £57,000 of expenditure. Bob Posner, director of party and [...]
Oil prices: Brent crude inches above $30 per barrel January 19, 2016 Oil prices rose above the $30 per barrel mark today, as traders weighed mixed messages from global oil markets. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped as much as five per cent to above $30 per barrel today. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, the US benchmark, rose 1.8 per cent to $29.96. It came as data [...]
Sterling’s gains wiped as Bank of England governor Mark Carney says now is not the time for an interest rate hike January 19, 2016 The pound lost over half a cent against the dollar today, erasing earlier gains, as Bank of England governor Mark Carney said now is not the time to raise rates. Last summer Carney said the decision on whether to raise interest rates from record lows "would likely come into sharper relief around the turn of the year." "Well [...]
Learning English is crucial for Muslim women to integrate, but Prime Minister David Cameron’s plans should not be linked to extremism January 19, 2016 Migrants joining their spouses will have to sit a test to sit an English test two and a half years after arriving in the United Kingdom. This was one of the reforms announced yesterday by Prime Minister David Cameron. The announcement attracted few plaudits. But the idea has promise. Learning English is critical. It not [...]