Thomas Cook liquidators secure bids for valuable airport slots October 16, 2019 The liquidators of collapsed airline Thomas Cook are said to have secured bids from some of the UK’s largest carriers after kicking off an auction of dozens of UK airport slots. KPMG set a deadline of 5pm today for bids for the take-off and landing slots as part of an auction that could raise tens [...]
Relocations rise ahead of Brexit but London will stay ‘dominant’, report finds October 16, 2019 More than 330 financial firms have relocated parts of their business ahead of Britain’s imminent departure from the EU, a new report has found. Hundreds of banks and financial services companies have moved staff or set up new entities in the EU, rising by 23 per cent since a previous report in March. Read more: [...]
Government ditches controversial ‘porn block’ plan in favour of wider online harms laws October 16, 2019 The government has quietly dropped plans to introduce strict age verification measures to prevent under-18s from viewing online pornography. The controversial proposals, which were hampered by a series of delays, would have forced commercial porn providers to verify their users’ age, or face being blocked in Britain. Read more: Minister apologises as UK porn laws [...]
London Assembly makes way for police watchdog on Boris Johnson and Jennifer Arcuri inquiry October 16, 2019 Two Greater London Authority inquiries into conflict of interest claims against Boris Johnson have been put on hold after fears it could prejudice a police watchdog investigation. The London Assembly’s Oversight Committee has been investigating Johnson’s links to American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri while he was mayor. Read more: Boris Johnson stays mum on Arcuri conflict [...]
City of London Corporation accused of politicising its primary council October 16, 2019 The City of London Corporation has been accused by one of its councillors of going beyond its remit and attacking the government in a “political stunt”. The corporation’s Court of Common Council, its key decision making body, approved a motion last week to give its “full and unequivocal support” to the independence of the UK’s [...]
Barratt Developments reassures investors over Brexit October 16, 2019 Britain’s biggest housebuilder Barratt Developments shrugged off concerns about political and economic uncertainty this morning as it reassured investors it could deal with the potential effects of Brexit. The FTSE 100 developer said it has a strong balance sheet and cash position to provide it with the resilience and flexibility to react to “potential changes [...]
Seven hours left to achieve Brexit ‘clarity’, says Donald Tusk October 16, 2019 A Brexit breakthrough must happen today if there is any hope of it being approved by the 27 EU leaders at tomorrow’s key summit, both sides have agreed. Although successive deadlines – most of which were set by the EU – have fallen by the wayside, a UK government source this morning said it would [...]
Arriva-run Northern Rail franchise could be nationalised October 16, 2019 One of Britain’s biggest rail franchises could be renationalised amid concerns about its financial situation and late-running trains, the transport secretary has said. Grant Shapps said he is considering whether Northern Rail, which is run by German operator Arriva, should be brought under state control. Read more: Arriva seeks £200m from government over East Midlands [...]
Huawei posts revenue rise as US crackdown fails to halt growth October 16, 2019 Huawei has reported a sharp increase in revenue for the third quarter as US sanctions failed to hamper its smartphone shipments. The Chinese tech giant pulled in revenue of 610.8bn yuan (£67.2bn) in the first three quarters, up 24.4 per cent year-on-year. Revenue was up 27 per cent in the three-month period to the end [...]
Extinction Rebellion ignore police ban to return to Trafalgar Square October 16, 2019 Extinction Rebellion has returned to Trafalgar Square just days after being evicted by police. The group is holding a people’s assembly at the square this afternoon, many with black tape across their mouths. Read more: Extinction Rebellion protesters block rounds around Bank station A spokesperson for the group said it was to signify a “police [...]