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, [...]
ULEZ should include all of London: Greens co-leader October 10, 2019 The ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ) charge will be levied on drivers across the whole of London if Greens candidate Sian Berry becomes mayor. The mayoral candidate said today she wants to radically alter the current road pricing system to ensure drivers contribute more to London’s transport budget. Read more: Tfl rakes in £220,000 a [...]
Debenhams secures extra £50m funding for Christmas period October 10, 2019 Debenhams has secured an extra £50m from its lenders to support the struggling department store through the crucial Christmas trading period. Last month the retailer approached its investor consortium – which bought the company out of administration – for the additional financing, on top of the £200m secured in March this year. Read more: Debenhams [...]
No-deal Brexit tariffs would jeopardise our Europe business model, says Nissan October 10, 2019 Tariffs introduced in the wake of a no-deal Brexit would make Nissan’s business model in Europe unsustainable and put the future of its Sunderland plant in jeopardy, the carmaker has warned. Nissan’s European chairman, Gianluca de Ficchy, said the imposition of WTO tariffs of 10 per cent on vehicles would threaten “the entire business model [...]
Dyson pulls plug on electric car project October 10, 2019 Sir James Dyson has abandoned his £1bn electric vehicle project after deciding the scheme is not commercially viable. Patents for the electric car, which the company hoped would compete with the likes of Tesla, were unveiled earlier this year. Read more: First details of Dyson electric car released At the time Dyson said the car would [...]
Business rates and Brexit eat up Pret a Manger profits October 10, 2019 Sandwich chain Pret a Manger suffered a slump in profit last year due to business rate increases and the threat of a no-deal Brexit. Turnover increased from £636.9m to £710m, but operating profit dropped from £57.9m to £19.6m in 2018. Earnings slumped to £91.38m from £97.79m. Read more: Parliament sees law to prevent allergy deaths [...]
Tui Airways adds extra flights by hiring Thomas Cook cabin and crew October 10, 2019 Europe’s largest travel company will fly up to two million more passengers in 2020 with the help of former Thomas Cook staff. Tui Airways has announced it will add an extra 10,000 flights next year by hiring former Thomas Cook pilots and cabin crew. Read more: Will buyout of Thomas Cook’s 555 high street stores [...]