IFS warns government against fuel duty cut October 4, 2019 The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned the government against cutting fuel tax by 2p per litre in the upcoming budget, which it is reportedly considering, saying it would cost the government £1bn a year in lost revenue. Read more: Fuel duty cut on the cards as threat of general election looms The IFS, [...]
City moves for 4 October – Who’s switching jobs at Cebr, Element and Bricklane? October 4, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Cebr, Element and Bricklane Cebr The Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) have appointed Nina Skero as chief executive. Nina is currently director of operations at Cebr, and previously served as head of macroeconomics at the research institute. As a member of Cebr’s senior leadership team, she has played an [...]
Sajid Javid: Why politics can learn from City meritocracy October 4, 2019 Sajid Javid retains a great affection for the City, describing it as a true meritocracy where all that really matters is how good you are at your job. Westminster, he adds, could learn a thing or two from the City’s efforts to promote and increase diversity. Read more: Sajid Javid pledges to raise National Living [...]
Doom and gloom: Small businesses suffering from ‘dogged lack of confidence’ amid Brexit uncertainty October 4, 2019 More small companies are glum about their business prospects than at any time in the last five years, as calls for a Brexit deal ratchet up. Butchers, bakers and cafes up and down Britain have called on the government to clinch a deal with the EU to end a “dogged lack of confidence” among small [...]
Worst September in eight years for high street sales October 4, 2019 Last month was the worst September on the high street in eight years as sales in bricks and mortar stores plummeted. Total like-for-like in-store sales fell by 3.1 per cent last month from a base of minus 2.7 per cent last year, making it the worst September on the high street since 2011, according to [...]
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max review: The biggest leap in camera Apple has ever made October 3, 2019 For many years the most important words in a phonemaker’s lexicon were “thinner”, “lighter”, and “faster”. The race to achieve the thinnest, lightest, fastest phone resulted in the dainty little rectangles we all know and love and hate. Any variation on the theme, such as the ill-fated modular phone, was swept aside, never to be [...]
Apple rejects app that tracks Hong Kong protest locations October 3, 2019 Apple has rejected an app that helps people in Hong Kong track the location of police and protesters, according to the app’s developer. Read more: Hong Kong: Police charge teenage protester shot by officer The crowdsourced app, called HKmap Live, displays information about police patrols, tear gas use, metro closures and safe houses to help [...]
Trump says he wants Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens October 3, 2019 US president Donald Trump has said he wants Ukraine and China to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his son. Speaking on a lawn outside the White House, Trump said he would “recommend” that Ukraine opens an investigation into the Bidens, and later added he thought China should do the same too. Read more: [...]
Sun, sea and skint Spaniards: Spain plans up €300m tourism rescue package after Thomas Cook collapse October 3, 2019 Spain is preparing a $300m rescue package for its tourism industry, after the collapse of Thomas Cook is said to have left bars deserted and beaches empty at its holiday hotspots. The country’s tourism minister said the cash would be split across 13 different measures, including a credit line for companies struggling to cope. Read [...]
Brew-haha: Backlash over Brewdog’s hybrid burger October 3, 2019 Brewdog has been left with its tail between its legs after the launch of its new hybrid burger prompted a social media backlash from sceptics. Baffled customers took to Twitter to express their bewilderment at the pub chain’s new creation, which contains both a beef patty and a plant-based patty. Read more: Raising the bar: [...]