Shadow business secretary slams ‘ivory tower’ financial regulators as takeover bids cripple UK stock market
4G bidding war starts as Ofcom opens auction January 23, 2013 BIDDING for the UK’s 4G mobile airwaves kicked off yesterday, with communications watchdog Ofcom hosting an auction that is expected to hand George Osborne a multi-billion pound windfall. Seven parties are now vying for a slice of spectrum that will enable them to deliver the next generation of mobile internet, promising speeds around 10 times [...]
Software group Sage highlights continuing European troubles January 23, 2013 SOFTWARE maker Sage said yesterday that it had continued to be affected by tough trading in Europe. The company said that conditions in the UK and Ireland had improved in recent months, but that trading since October had been “in line” with the previous financial year, in which Sage’s growth slowed to two per cent. [...]
Siemens to cut as profit drops January 23, 2013 GERMAN industrial bellwether Siemens yesterday said it would stick with its focus on cost cuts as a weak global economy saps demand for factory equipment. The engineering group, which makes products ranging from fast trains and gas turbines to hearing aids, reported a three per cent fall in new orders to €19.1bn (£16m) for its [...]
Novartis boss to step down January 23, 2013 SWISS pharmaceuticals group Novartis said its long-standing chairman and former chief executive would step down next month. Daniel Vasella, who has served as Novartis chief executive and chairman for 17 years, said he would not stand for re-election to the board of directors. Novartis, which said results will be hit this year by the loss [...]
Metro Bank cracking down on staff frowns January 23, 2013 MOST ad campaigns about fun firms or service with a smile are just talk – a half-hearted effort to look like a generous firm which cares for its staff. But Metro Bank founder and chairman Vernon Hill insists smiling is a very serious business. In fact, if staff look grumpy, they’re not going to be [...]
The clinic will cater for all your needs January 23, 2013 BEDSPACE may be tight at Davos, but every inch of space is utilised. While “The Clinic” may sound like a luxury spa, it’s actually an asthma hospital – offering spare beds to attendees. If you fancy your own oxygen supply, this is the place. ■ Following David Cameron’s early morning oration, the corporate world was [...]
Minutes show Bank wary of more easing January 23, 2013 THE BANK of England is balking at a further expansion of its balance sheet, with minutes of its January meeting, released yesterday, revealing that senior officials are wary of the effects of more quantitative easing (QE). The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has ordered £375bn in asset purchases to date, in a bid to stimulate the [...]
Britons reduce levels of debt being taken into retirement January 23, 2013 PEOPLE are cutting down the level of debt they take into their retirements, data from Prudential showed yesterday – yet nearly one in five still have debts when they leave the workplace. One in five men enter retirement with debt, the firm’s research showed, compared to 16 per cent of women. The amounts owed by [...]
Spending on the UK high street knocked by January snowstorm January 23, 2013 BRITAIN’S ailing high street has been dealt another blow by the cold snap of weather felt in recent weeks, data from Visa revealed yesterday. Spending through Visa dipped by more than four per cent in the last week, compared to the same time a year ago, the company reported. Deterred from hitting the shops, some [...]
Cost of raising a child jumps to £220,000 January 23, 2013 THE COST of raising a child has soared 58 per cent in the last 10 years, pushed up by the price of childcare and education. Figures released this morning estimate that raising a child until the age of 21 leaves a £222,458 hole in parents’ pockets, on average across the UK. Insurance firm LV=, which compiled [...]