Businesses can do more to tackle disabilities like blindness October 11, 2019 Lately it has become fashionable to talk about the contribution of companies to society. However, in the daily routine of spreadsheets, email, and video-conferences, the “why we do this” message can get lost. It is humbling therefore to confront that most vivid of human needs – the need for eyesight – and witness the potential [...]
Government issues £10m in ‘Brexit readiness’ grants to business organisations October 11, 2019 The government is to issue £10.1m in grants to 124 business organisations to help them prepare the firms they represent for the UK’s departure from the European Union on 31 October. The grants will be issued by the Business Readiness Fund, which was launched to support trade associations and other business organisations in helping firms [...]
BT Mobile rolls out 5G for consumer and business plans October 11, 2019 BT has become the latest UK mobile network to launch 5G, rolling out its next-generation network in more than 20 towns and cities across the country. Read more: EU warns of cyber risks from state-backed 5G suppliers London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester are among the first locations to gain access to the network, while BT [...]
Government must reach funding deal with BBC over free TV licences, say MPs October 11, 2019 MPs have urged the government and the BBC to reach a funding arrangement to restore free TV licences for people aged over 75. In a damning report the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee slammed the government of 2015 for trying to “bounce” the BBC into accepting measures that left it liable to [...]
‘Nest Egg’ policy proposal wins £50,000 IEA Breakthrough Prize October 10, 2019 A £50,000 free market prize has been awarded to the authors of a new report which has proposed allowing universities, rather than government, to lend to their students. Read more: Johnson and Varadkar hold talks Researcher Peter Ainsworth and academic economist Dr Tom McKenzie have been named the winners of the Institute of Economic Affair’s [...]
Exclusive: Outsourcers told Michael Gove no-deal Brexit planning is stalling industry October 10, 2019 Whitehall has come under pressure from some of its most prominent public service providers for slow decision-making, as time and resources are increasingly directed towards no-deal Brexit planning. Three sources with knowledge of the matter told City A.M. that de facto no-deal Brexit secretary Michael Gove has been urged to “get a move on” so [...]
Potential loophole paves the way for conflicts of interest at HS2 October 10, 2019 Downing Street is being urged to close a route that could allow former High Speed 2 (HS2) rail executives to become consultants on the project without the usual vetting procedures. A number of former HS2 executives currently work at consultancy firms that advise on the controversial rail project, including former chief executive Simon Kirby. However [...]
Renault board ‘to discuss chief executive’s future’ tomorrow October 10, 2019 Renault chief executive Thierry Bollore is said to have avoided the matter of his potential exit from the firm in a conversation with staff today. The car maker’s board are due to meet tomorrow to discuss a potential management shake-up. Le Figaro newspaper reported that chairman Jean-Dominique Senard was poised to kick off a process [...]
Boris Johnson has until Monday to provide latest response to London Assembly in Arcuri probe October 10, 2019 The London Assembly has given prime minister Boris Johnson a Monday deadline to explain why it can’t publish his response to corruption allegations. A Number 10 representative delivered a submission to the assembly on Tuesday in response to an alleged conflict of interest in his dealings with businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri. The London Assembly requested details [...]
Snap reduces overseas losses as revenue doubles October 10, 2019 Snapchat parent firm Snap has narrowed its international losses, as sales from advertising and its Spectacles gadget doubled. Its UK-based entity, which manages all territories outside the US, reported a loss of $312.8m in 2018, down from $447m a year earlier. Meanwhile revenue, which Snap said is “substantially” created by sales of its advertising products, [...]