The Brexit ‘clock is ticking’ … until the next extension November 4, 2019 | City Talk Brexit is quite possibly the most destabilising event in recent market history. Clearly this has the most direct effect on the UK markets, but it also applies to the remaining member states of the European Union (EU). The idea that ‘financial markets like certainty’ is so often quoted that one wonders why 650 members of [...]
Independent MP John Woodcock to quit at December election November 4, 2019 Independent member of parliament John Woodcock has revealed he will step down as an MP in December’s election. Woodcock said he plans to quit politics after his partner, Spectator assistant editor and author Isabel Hardman, became pregnant. The MP , who was a member of the Labour party until he quit in the summer of [...]
Speaker election: The seven candidates to succeed John Bercow November 4, 2019 The seven candidates to take over from John Bercow and step into the House of Commons’ speakers chair have been announced this morning. After 10 years in the chair, Bercow will be replaced this evening in the speaker’s election after a secret ballot is held. Read more: Boris Johnson pays backhanded tribute to speaker John [...]
Investment bank in talks for £500m Neil Woodford healthcare portfolio November 4, 2019 A consortium led by a boutique life sciences investment bank is in talks to acquire £500m of healthcare assets bought by former star fund manager Neil Woodford. A WG partners-led consortium is the frontrunner to buy the stakes in roughly 15 companies held by Woodford Investment Management, Sky News reported. The potential deal follows Woodford’s [...]
Royal Mail says it will prioritise general election post in event of strike action November 4, 2019 Royal Mail said today it will prioritise general election-related mail in the event of a threatened strike. Communications Workers Union (CWU) members have voted for a pre-Christmas strike, accusing bosses of failing to live up to an agreement reached last year over issues including pay and conditions. Royal Mail wrote to the CWU last Tuesday [...]
UK PLCs suffer ‘worst quarterly results in years’ November 4, 2019 The UK’s publicly listed companies have suffered their worst quarter on average in nearly three years, according to a new report. More than half of UK firms listed on the main market have reported lower profits for the second consecutive quarter, collectively falling 4.5 per cent in the first drop since 2016. Read more: ECB [...]
People’s Vote revolt: Pressure increases on PR man Roland Rudd to resign November 4, 2019 PR tycoon Roland Rudd is at risk of being in violation of the Companies Act for his role in the ongoing People’s Vote row and needs to resign, according to campaign board members. Rudd has been at the centre of a power struggle at the campaign, with staff refusing to work under his leadership. Read [...]
Wework rival IWG sells Swiss business for £94m November 4, 2019 Wework rival IWG has made its latest international divestment with the sale of its Swiss business in a deal worth £94m. IWG has sold its 38 flexible co-working locations in Switzerland to a joint entity owned by private banking group J. Safra Group and real estate investor P. Peress Group. Read more: IWG in talks [...]
Suspicious package sent to Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson’s office November 4, 2019 Police are investigating a suspicious package that was sent to the Westminster office of Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson. Metropolitan Police officers attended the scene early this morning. Read more: Jo Swinson elected leader of the Liberal Democrats A statement from the Met said: “Police attended Portcullis House, Westminster at 0951hrs today following reports of [...]
Gambling stocks tumble as MPs call for online casino stake limit November 4, 2019 Shares in major gambling firms fell today after a group of MPs issued a report calling for the introduction of £2 stake limits for online casinos. GVC shares fell nine per cent to 816p, William Hill shares dropped seven per cent to 187p, 888 Holdings shares fell nearly five per cent to 171p and Rank [...]