DEBATE: Should the government intervene to stop cash disappearing? February 21, 2020 Should the government intervene to stop cash disappearing, as the Access To Cash panel has urged? YES, says Andrew Martin, chief executive of Retail Financial Consulting. It’s essential that cash remains a staple of British society in order to maintain social inclusion and economic stability. One need only look at Sweden, which is on the [...]
The revolution is imminent, and big Telco needs to change February 21, 2020 Complex deals. High prices. Bad service. Guess which industry I am talking about? Four old incumbents own more than 90 per cent market share, nearly nine million people pay a loyalty tax every year, and yet “industry leaders” get invited to Downing Street for tea and biscuits. The answer is telecoms. It’s front-page news: 5G [...]
We’ve got the power: Decarbonising our transport on the road to a greener nation February 21, 2020 The government will soon publish its strategy on cutting emissions from cars, trains, boats and planes — and already the transport secretary has suggested that sales of combustion and hybrid vehicles could be banned from 2035. Change comes with questions. For example: how clean is our electricity? And can Britain’s energy infrastructure meet the demand [...]
Young entrepreneurs optimistic going into 2020 February 21, 2020 Over half of the UK’s young entrepreneurs are more optimistic going into 2020 than they were going into 2019, according to a new report. A survey of entrepreneurs by the Tata group and the National Association of Colleges and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) found 51 per cent of entrepreneurs were more positive about 2020 than 2019, [...]
London homeowners save almost £4,000 more than renters February 21, 2020 Homeowners in London save almost £4,000 a year more than renters, according to the latest research. Renters in the capital are paying 18 per cent more each month than those that own their own homes, losing out on annual savings of £3,727. The research, which looked at the housing costs associated with a mortgage on [...]
Government looks to expand dormant assets scheme to help good causes February 21, 2020 The government today outlined plans to expand the dormant assets scheme in a move that could unlock hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes across the UK. Under the current scheme, banks and building societies can opt to donate funds to good causes from accounts that have been untouched for 15 years or more [...]
Exclusive: Did someone say chicken? UK preparing to break with EU on food safety at WTO meeting February 20, 2020 Downing Street is considering taking an independent stance on food safety at an upcoming WTO summit, in yet another breach of transition rules within the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The stage will be set when the US formally welcomes the UK as an independent member of the WTO during a meeting about sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) [...]
Morgan Sindall profit builds 10 per cent February 20, 2020 The boss of construction group Morgan Sindall has put the company’s profit jump down to long term planning and strong orders. The company, led by John Morgan, posted adjusted profit before tax at £90.4m, an 11 per cent increase from 2018’s figure of £81.6m. Dividends rose 11 per cent to 59p per share and revenue [...]
The best cycling gear of 2020: Here’s how to get the most out of your ride February 20, 2020 The storms have passed, the skies are clearing and your excuses for not getting back on your bike are evaporating like so many brown puddles. Whether you’re commuting along cycle superhighways, or just looking to take your bike for a spin through the countryside, here’s our pick of the best (or most interesting) cycling gear [...]
Mayor of London election candidates have £420,000 campaign spending limit February 20, 2020 Candidates in the 2020 mayor of London election will have a limit of £420,000 to spend during the official campaign. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan will go head-to-head with Tory candidate Shaun Bailey, independent candidate Rory Stewart, Liberal Democrat Siobhan Benita and Green party co-leader on 7 May. Khan’s odds are as short as 1/7 [...]