Economics secretary Harriett Baldwin: It’s in our national interest to keep the City competitive July 16, 2015 As someone who spent two decades in the UK’s financial services industry, I know well that this sector is hugely important for people and businesses across the country. We need a highly competitive business environment to support that, and today I'm speaking at The City UK’s conference about the steps we are taking to strengthen [...]
Moody’s sounds alarm over rising UK credit card debt leaving consumers unprepared for interest rate rises July 16, 2015 Credit ratings agency Moody's has sounded the alarm over the rising level of UK consumer debt saying it leaves borrowers increasingly vulnerable to economic shocks. The new report on the risk of rising consumer debt in the UK, found unsecured lending such as credit cards and personal loans jumped to nearly seven per cent year-on-year [...]
Dragon oil share price falls as Enoc ramps up pressure July 16, 2015 Enoc ramped up the pressure on the shareholders of its takeover target Dragon Oil by saying it needs
Dixons Carphone hikes dividends as it smashes forecasts July 16, 2015 It seems Dixons Carphone is reaping the benefits of being the UK's last electronics retailer standing, after full-year profits smashed expectations. The figures Formed by a merger of electronics giant Dixons and mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse last year, the company has gone from strength to strength since its creation. Results for the 13 months [...]
Tessa Jowell forms business group with former trade minister Mervyn Davies to make London the tech capital of the world July 16, 2015 How can London become the tech capital of the world? That's the question being put to business leaders including former trade minister Mervyn Davies, National Express chairman Sir John Armitt and London Chamber of Commerce chairman Mark Adams today. The group, which has been set up by mayoral hopeful Tessa Jowell, also includes [...]
Central bankers scent interest rate hikes: Federal Reserve prepares for rise with UK expected to follow later July 15, 2015 An unprecedented era of easy money, seen on both sides of the Atlantic since 2008, could be over by the end of the year, with the Federal Reserve preparing to hike rates and some analysts expecting the UK to follow suit in subsequent months. “If the economy evolves as we expect, economic conditions likely [...]
Electricity bills set to climb this winter as National Grid increases capacity to avert blackouts July 15, 2015 Electricity bills are set to rise, after National Grid was forced to fork out £36m to guard against possible power outages across the UK this winter. The company, which manages the UK’s power transmission network, has bought 2.56 gigawatts of extra power, after power station closures left the country at risk of blackouts. Before [...]
Npower, EDF Energy, E.On UK, Scottish Power and SSE to follow British Gas price cuts July 15, 2015 Analysts forecast last night that Britain’s remaining big five energy groups will quickly follow British Gas and cut gas prices for a further 28m households. British Gas, owned by Centrica, yesterday cut gas bills by five per cent – the second reduction in six months. The cut will come into effect for its [...]
Greece votes for more austerity to stay in euro July 15, 2015 The Greek parliament early this morning voted in favour of the deal that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted, after gruelling talks in Brussels earlier this week, in order to start progress on a third bailout. The final tally of 229 to 64 in favour of the deal was decisive, yet many of the “No” [...]
Greek debt crisis: George Osborne backtracks on Athens loan pledge as EU readies aid July 15, 2015 The Treasury is preparing to co-operate with Europe over a short-term loan to Greece – but only if the cash is guaranteed – in an embarrassing about-face for chancellor George Osborne who on Tuesday promised not to offer bailout funds to aid Athens. A Treasury source said the European Commission was now proposing ways [...]