General Election 2019: Tories to up stamp duty for non-UK residents November 22, 2019 Foreign residents will be slapped with a higher rate of stamp duty than UK home-owners under a Conservative government, as part of efforts to tackle the country’s housing crisis. A three per cent surcharge will be levied on companies as well as individuals buying property who are not UK tax residents, the Tories will announce [...]
Wework lays off 2,400 employees in Softbank-led efficiency drive November 21, 2019 Wework today confirmed it will lay off roughly 2,400 employees around the world as the company launches a drastic bid to cut costs and shore up its business. A Wework spokesperson said the cuts were part of the company’s efforts to focus on its core business and “create a more efficient organisation”. Read more: New [...]
Wetherspoons shareholders back Tim Martin after corporate governance row November 21, 2019 Outspoken JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has emerged victorious from his clash with a proxy adviser after shareholders voted overwhelmingly in his support. More than 98 per cent of investors voted to re-elect Martin, who founded the company in 1979, as executive chairman at the budget pub chain’s annual general meeting today. Read more: Wetherspoons [...]
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg files paperwork for US presidential bid November 21, 2019 Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has filed a statement of candidacy for US President in the latest sign the former New York City mayor will join a crowded field of Democrat candidates. Read more: Billionaire Michael Bloomberg considers possible presidential run The filing with the Federal Election Committee means the media mogul is able to raise funds [...]
Twitter acquires London AI startup as it looks to target small businesses November 21, 2019 Twitter has snapped up artificial intelligence (AI) marketing platform Aiden as it looks to expand its advertising offering for small businesses. Read more: Twitter outlines political ad ban ahead of 2020 US election The social media giant today said it had agreed a takeover of the London-based startup, which provides a cross-platform advertising command centre, [...]
Xerox threatens to go hostile in HP takeover bid November 21, 2019 Xerox today threatened to take its $33.5bn (£26bn) takeover offer for HP hostile if the tech firm’s board did not agree to a “friendly” merger by next week. Read more: HP rejects Xerox’s $33.5bn takeover bid but keeps door open for potential merger HP rejected Xerox’s offer of $22 per share on Sunday, saying it [...]
Jet2 Holidays owner warns ‘much will depend’ on Brexit deal November 21, 2019 The parent of Jet2 has warned “much will depend” on whether the government gets a Brexit deal for the holiday business’s prospects in the coming years. Yorkshire-based Dart Group said it was unclear whether Jet2’s demand would remain “buoyant” without knowing how negotiations with the EU will pan out. Nevertheless, it reported solid trading over [...]
Conservatives pledge temporary Hammersmith Bridge November 21, 2019 A temporary bridge will be built alongside the closed Hammersmith Bridge if the Conservatives are re-elected. Transport minister George Freeman announced this afternoon on Twitter that the proposal had gained his support, after lobbying from Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith. Read more: Hammersmith Bridge won’t be able to cope with electric double decker buses The [...]
Mitie’s clients hold back on spending until after Brexit and the General Election November 21, 2019 Outsourcing giant Mitie has warned that its clients are holding back on committing to new projects, amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty and the upcoming general election. The firm, which provides cleaning, security, facilities management, energy and healthcare services, said the uncertainty could affect revenue growth in the coming months. Read more: Mitie to continue managing Lloyds [...]
Banking on the fees: Deal disappointments top off downward year for payouts November 21, 2019 Bankers have been left with a sour taste in their mouths after two of the year’s blockbuster listings look set to deliver a disappointing round of payouts. Hopes of a fee bonanza from Saudi Aramco’s flotation have fallen flat after it emerged that some of Wall Street’s biggest banks have been sidelined in the process, [...]