‘Great uncertainty’ over nuclear plants’ delivery following opposition to Chinese investor May 9, 2022 The delivery of Essex-based nuclear plant Bradwell faces “great uncertainty” after political opposition has mounted against the involvement of a Chinese investor. EDF told shareholders that, without Chinese backing, it is no longer obliged to continue funding the project. The French energy giant also said, if China were exit the deal, EDF would also need [...]
It’s wait and see for investors ahead of BT results this week May 9, 2022 Analysts in the City will be waiting nervously to see whether the cost-of-living crisis has seen an exodus in subscribers from telecoms giant BT when the company reveals its results on Thursday. US streaming rival Netflix said recently its own subscriber base had suffered as households cut back and investors in BT are hoping similar [...]
Markets bracing for tough week: China trade slows as zero-Covid policy has disastrous impact on economy May 9, 2022 With China continuing to pursue its zero-Covid policy the restrictions in Shanghai are having a chilling effect on economic output there, as well as port activity, or rather the lack of it, as container ships continue to sit off the Chinese coast waiting to be unloaded. This morning’s China trade data for April only serves to reinforce [...]
Litigation funders seek to bankroll intellectual property disputes against big tech firms, new research shows May 9, 2022 Eight of the UK’s ten biggest litigation funders are now seeking to bankroll intellectual property (IP) disputes, according to new research from IP specialists Mathys & Squire. Litigation funders, whose business sees them finance lawsuits with a view to taking a cut of any winnings, are increasingly looking at IP disputes as a means of [...]
Exclusive: Six-in-ten UK small businesses forced to borrow to pay insurance premiums, new figures show May 9, 2022 Almost six out of ten (59 per cent) UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are relying on credit to pay their insurance costs, due to rising premiums and lower incomes linked to the impacts of Covid-19. On average, UK SMEs have borrowed £1,105 to pay for insurance costs, while nearly one in ten have borrowed [...]
Influencers: MPs call for better protection for TikTok stars May 9, 2022 MPs will today call for greater action to be taken in advertising and employment rules to protect children and online performers, arguing that regulation has failed to keep pace with the growth of online influencer culture.
Brits demand better protection against fake reviews as EU gears up for reform May 9, 2022 New data has revealed that British consumers want greater protection against fake reviews as the government gears up for the Consumer Protection Bill this week. According to research from reviews provider Feefo, over three quarters of consumers and 81 per cent of businesses are calling for bolder action to be taken, urging ministers to bring [...]
EU membership vs lost trade: Forget extra NHS cash, Brexit costs Britain £173m every week, or £1m per hour May 9, 2022 Remember the Brexit bus promise: ‘We send the EU £350 million a week. Let’s fund our NHS instead. Vote leave’? The truth increasingly seems that quitting the European Union means there is £173m a week less to spend on the NHS, according to calculations based on recent ONS and UK Government data. Weighing up the [...]
Travelodge enjoying recovery as Brits go budget for beds May 9, 2022 Travelodge has reported a strong recovery from the impact of the pandemic and expects to benefit from the growing number of ‘staycation’ breaks. The hotel chain reported a 1.8% increase in revenue in the last quarter of 2021 compared with 2019, to £185 million. Revenue for the year was down by 23% compared with 2019, [...]
Stephen Poloz on the volatility disrupting the global economy May 9, 2022 | City Talk This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. The era of global volatility is demanding rigour and quick thinking from finance professionals. Stephen Poloz, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, charts a course through the noise. The title of Stephen Poloz’s book, The Next Age of Uncertainty, is a wink to a formative text in his [...]