Tory ministers quit ahead of an expected reshuffle October 7, 2013 TWO CONSERVATIVE members of the government resigned last night as David Cameron prepares for a government reshuffle that is set to include promotions for a number of female Tory MPs. Chloe Smith, a cabinet office minister who has represented Norwich North since 2009, and long-serving deputy chief whip John Randall last night released statements saying [...]
Conservatives reject calls for vote on EU exit October 7, 2013 CONSERVATIVE MPs yesterday rejected calls from a rebellious colleague to hold a vote on Britain leaving the EU in 2014, attacking him for shattering the party’s concensus on the issue. Adam Afriye, the ambitious MP for Windsor, yesterday announced he would table an amendment to the existing EU referendum bill that would require a vote [...]
Egypt clashes kill at least 51 October 7, 2013 At least 51 people were killed in clashes in Egyptian cities yesterday, security sources said, after opponents and supporters of deposed president Mohamad Mursi took to the streets in one of the bloodiest days since the army seized power. In a sign of more possible violence to come, an alliance including Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood urged [...]
Aer Lingus offers wi-fi on flights October 7, 2013 Aer Lingus has today become the second European airline to launch wi-fi access on transatlantic flights. The Irish company is understood to have introduced wireless internet access on flights to the US, fitting the satellite technology on seven of its Airbus A330 aircraft. The news comes after Germany’s Lufthansa introduced wi-fi on north Atlantic routes [...]
Six bid for biscuit maker Burton’s October 7, 2013 More than six bidders have tabled offers for Britain’s second largest biscuit maker Burton’s. Apax Partners, Capvest, Charterhouse and Pamplona Capital are understood to be among the private equity firms that have expressed an interest in the company, according to Sky News. The sale of Burton’s which also owns Wagon Wheels and makes biscuits for [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 7 October 2013 October 7, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Temasek bids for Repsol gas stake Temasek and Sinopec have both approached Repsol over buying its €4.7bn stake in Gas Natural as the Spanish oil company seeks to raise cash to increase its investment in oil exploration. Repsol, which is working with Deutsche Bank and Citigroup to find a buyer for the domestic [...]
Row escalates as Help to Buy policy launched October 7, 2013 CRITICS of the government’s Help to Buy policy rounded on the scheme yesterday, accusing it of risking another property bubble. Speaking to the BBC Sunday Politics, Jonathan Portes, head of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said: “The main impact of this scheme will be to push up house prices. Who loses? People [...]
Republicans harden position ahead of debt deadline October 7, 2013 REPUBLICAN House Speaker John Boehner vowed yesterday not to raise the US debt ceiling without a “serious conversation” about what is driving the debt, while Democrats said it was irresponsible and reckless to raise the possibility of a US default. “The nation’s credit is at risk because of the administration’s refusal to sit down and [...]
Women land a quarter of new directorships October 6, 2013 WOMEN are taking a quarter of new appointments to the boards of FTSE 100 companies, according to figures released today by a group pushing for greater equality at the top of public companies. All but six firms at the top level of British business now have a women on their board. Campaigners said business is [...]
Travelodge books a £71m loss as new owners plan king-size refit October 6, 2013 TRAVELODGE, the first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, made a pre-tax loss of £71.1m last year, but managed to halve its losses as new investors seized control. The low cost chain’s losses slumped from £148.1m in 2011 to £71.1m in the year to 31 December 2012, Companies House accounts show. [...]