AO World closes loss-making operations in the Netherlands November 19, 2019 Online white goods retailer AO World has announced the closure of its business in the Netherlands, as the group reported an operating loss of £10.6m for the first half. Chief executive John Roberts said the closure of the retailer’s Dutch operations was part of its “relentless focus to accelerate profitability in Europe” and would allow [...]
Politicians need to take the brakes off e-scooters for a greener commute to work November 19, 2019 If you are stuck in traffic, watching another diesel taxi go past, you won’t be alone in wishing for cleaner ways to travel around London. New research shows that nearly 70 per cent of people don’t think politicians are doing enough to encourage alternative, environmentally friendly transport options. So, what are these alternatives? Right now, [...]
London software firm Kape snaps up US cybersecurity company for $95m November 19, 2019 London-based security software firm Kape Technologies today said it has acquired US online privacy company Private Internet Access (PIA) for $95.5m (£74m). Kape, which provides privacy-focused security software, said the merger will create a new global cyber company and almost double its profit. Read more: Labour suffers second cyber attack in 24 hours The Aim-listed [...]
DEBATE: Who has the most to gain from tonight’s TV debate? November 19, 2019 Who has the most to gain from tonight’s TV debate: Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn? Lauren McEvatt, managing director at Morpeth Consulting, says BORIS JOHNSON. The spectre of Theresa May’s decision to dodge the debate in 2017 looms in the minds of Conservative strategists. It was a move that proved her poor leadership. Just taking [...]
The secret to how people really become MPs November 19, 2019 The election is 23 days away, and the close of nominations last week has confirmed the runners and riders: 3,322 people seeking a place on the green benches. Yet despite the enthusiasm of the thousands, from Advance Together (five candidates) to the Young People’s Party UK (three candidates), most seats remain a foregone conclusion. Unless [...]
No amount of spending will save the NHS if we don’t reform it first November 19, 2019 If there is one thing you can count on during a General Election, it’s that the NHS will be ground-zero of the political battle. Labour will scream that the health service is not safe in Tory hands, while the Conservatives will trumpet their undying love — and investment in — our NHS. The backdrop for [...]
Augmented reality to add £62.5bn to British economy by 2030 November 19, 2019 Virtual and augmented reality (AR) technologies are forecast to add £62.5bn to the UK economy in the next decade, as businesses embrace innovation in the workplace. More than £44bn of the 2.44 per cent injection to UK GDP will come from AR, according to research published today by PwC. The technology is used by the [...]
Snapchat says it fact checks political ads in dig at rival Facebook November 18, 2019 Snapchat boss Evan Spiegel has revealed that his platform fact checks all political ads, as he took a swipe at rival social media firm Facebook. Read more: Mark Zuckerberg defends politics ads on Facebook after Twitter ban Tech giants have come under fire in recent months over their failure to crack down on adverts that [...]
Power to the People: What’s really behind the People’s Vote power struggle November 18, 2019 The bitter row among rival factions in the People’s Vote campaign ostensibly came to an end last week when controversial chairman Roland Rudd resigned. Rudd, also chairman of PR firm Finsbury, faced three weeks of public insurrection from staff after sacking People’s Vote director James McGrory and communications chief Tom Baldwin in what was described as a “boardroom coup”. Read more: [...]
Top MP denies British interference in Hong Kong after Chinese ambassador’s warning November 18, 2019 A senior Tory MP has denied that the UK is interfering in foreign affairs after the Chinese ambassador to London blasted Western countries for their response to the Hong Kong crisis. In a speech today Liu Xiaoming accused the government and the influential foreign affairs committee of making “irresponsible remarks” and taking the side of [...]