High street crisis: 16,000 shops closed in 2019 December 30, 2019 More than 16,000 stores have closed this year, according to the latest research, as retailers battle the ongoing challenges facing the high street. In total, 16,073 shops have shut down in 2019 – around 61 each working day – with the rate of store closures forecast to rise next year. Read more: All the big [...]
Mark Carney warns financial sector over climate change December 30, 2019 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has warned that the financial sector must stop investing in fossil fuels faster in order to avoid irreversible global warming. Carney, who will step down from his central bank role next year, said pension fund analysis showed that “if you add up the policies of all of companies out [...]
Small business confidence at an eight-year low December 30, 2019 Confidence among small businesses reached an eight-year low this month, according to a new survey. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Index (SBI) was negative for a sixth straight quarter, reaching its lowest point since the last recession. Read more: UK business confidence slumps to seven-year low The confidence index now stands at [...]
Google workers exposed to chemical that causes birth defects December 29, 2019 Google has admitted that some of its employees have been exposed to harmful chemicals than can cause birth defects. Factory workers making Google products, but hired by an outside supplier, have been exposed to N-Methylpyrrolidone, which can cause birth defects and serious skin and respiratory irritation. Read more: France fines Google over anti-competitive behaviour The [...]
Ex-Labour MPs criticise party ‘cronyism’ and call for sweeping changes December 29, 2019 A group of former Labour MPs unseated at the election have accused the party leadership of “cronyism” and that it needs to be fundamentally reformed. The 12 MPs signed a letter that criticised the party’s response to Labour’s historic election defeat, saying that it needs to go “way beyond a simple review”. Read more: Tom [...]
Steel industry urges government not to shelve HS2 December 29, 2019 The UK’s steelmakers have urged the government to complete HS2 to boost the struggling sector. The rail project – which would link London, the Midlands and the north – is expected to use 2m tonnes of steel if it goes ahead. Read more: Election 2019: Boris Johnson raises red flag over Heathrow expansion and HS2 [...]
Tony Blair’s organisation bid for EU money while he was campaigning against Brexit December 29, 2019 Tony Blair’s organisation was competing for contracts from the EU while simultaneously campaigning for a second Brexit referendum, it has been revealed. Documents, newly revealed by The Telegraph reveal that the non-profit Tony Blair Institute (TBI) was talking to officials about securing further funding from the European Commission. Read more: Tony Blair: Labour must be [...]
Interest rates unlikely to rise in 2020, says ECB policymaker Robert Holzmann December 28, 2019 A European Central Bank policymaker has said it is unlikely interest rates will be lifted back into positive territory next year. Robert Holzmann cited Brexit as being likely to cause renewed concern toward the end of 2020. Read more: New ECB president Legarde tells governments to hite spending to tackle downturn The governing council voted [...]
Spotify to suspend political ads in 2020 December 28, 2019 Music streaming service Spotify has said it will pause selling political advertising in early 2020. The world’s most popular music subscription service, which according to latest figures has 141m users listen to its ad-supported platform, said the pause would include its original and exclusive podcasts. It comes as campaigns for the presidential election set for [...]
UK cyber security chief to step down next year December 28, 2019 The head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has announced he will stand down next summer. The government said that Ciaran Martin would leave his post in 2020 on Friday evening, almost four years after founding the organisation. The 45-year-old said it had “been the privilege of a lifetime” and warned the challenge [...]