Small businesses lambast government’s price cut plan for being a “slap in the face” June 29, 2022 Asking small businesses to cut product prices as a way for the government to help Brits with the cost-of-living crisis was deemed as a “slap in the face” by trade bodies. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) argued that forcing small firms to “soak up additional costs just isn’t realistic,” as business owners are no [...]
Bailey: Steeper rate hike at Bank of England’s next meeting is ‘on the table’ June 29, 2022 A larger rate hike is “on the table” at the Bank of England’s next meeting on 4 August, its chief said today. Speaking on a panel at the European Central Bank’s (ECB) forum on central banking in Sintra, Portugal, Bank governor Andrew Bailey did not rule out a steeper rate rise, saying “there will be [...]
Apple and Google told by FCC to axe TikTok in app store over privacy concerns June 29, 2022 The US FCC Commissioner has written to Apple and Google calling on the Silicon Valley giants to axe TikTok from app stores for “its pattern of surreptitious data practices.”
Fuel retailers hit back at detractors, blaming volatile market for pump price increase June 29, 2022 Fuel retailers have hit back after motoring bodies have accused them of “inexplicably” rising fuel prices at UK pumps. Gordon Balmer, director at the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), has told journalists that operators are currently operating at a loss due to wholesale prices rising because of the volatile oil market. “Independent fuel retailers need to [...]
Slater & Gordon shakes up boardroom after setting out plans to split June 29, 2022 Slater & Gordon has said company chief executive David Whitmore will step down from his position, after setting out plans to split its business in two, with a view to separating its “essential” and “specialist” legal services segments. The law firm said Whitmore – who took up his CEO role in January 2018 – will [...]
H&M warns more price increases could be on the way for shoppers as ‘many challenges’ continue June 29, 2022 The second largest global fashion firm H&M has warned it plans to hike prices even further this year. The Stockholm-based retailer posted pre-tax profit of 4.78bn Swedish crowns ($471m) on Wednesday, surpassing analysts’ expectations. Profit boosted by 33 per cent compared to the same period last year. The buoyant half-year results came after the fashion [...]
Remortgage sales hit highest level since before the pandemic outnumbering all other types of home loans June 29, 2022 The FCA’s latest data shows that remortgage sales in the fourth quarter of last year, at 92,558, reached their highest level of activity since early 2020, before the outbreak of the pandemic. In fact, they outnumbered all other types of home loans for the first time since the third quarter of 2020, according to analysis [...]
Government strengthens judges powers to grant access to online court hearings June 29, 2022 The government has given courts new powers to let journalists and members of the public watch court hearings online. The Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act, which came into force yesterday, will give judges in courts and tribunals the power to let reporters and others tune into hearings remotely. The new powers come as a [...]
Brexit ideas: Boris Johnson wants to recreate the Roman Empire to achieve UK-EU co-operation June 29, 2022 Boris Johnson wants a modern recreation of the Roman Empire as a way of achieving co-operation between Europe and its neighbours. The Prime Minister set out his vision of a partnership that included Turkey and North African states as an alternative plan to Emmanuel Macron’s idea of a European political community. Macron said the Prime [...]
UK extends China steel tariffs for another two years June 29, 2022 The UK has moved to extend steel tariffs on China and other countries for a further two years in a move that could set up a row with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The decision was made after the government decided that the trade barriers were needed to protect the UK steel industry from cheaper [...]