Budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air report soaring passenger numbers in February March 4, 2019 Budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air reported boosted traffic year-on-year in February, however both carriers saw passenger numbers drop on the previous month. A total of 9.3m customers flew with Ryanair in February, an increase of 13 per cent from 8.6m the previous year. Read more: Wizz Air profits tumble but airline clings to guidance [...]
DEBATE: MPs are about to get a pay rise – but do they deserve it? March 4, 2019 MPs are about to get a pay rise – but do they deserve it? John Oxley, a Conservative commentator, says YES. MPs will soon earn £79,468. It’s far more than most people, but still not enough to lure the most talented individuals into our legislature. An ambitious and highly capable graduate in the City or [...]
Europe cannot afford to return to the failed policies of the past March 4, 2019 I am not one to argue for policies of centralisation. I am a great believer in the principle of subsidiarity as a practical reality rather than as empty words in a treaty. Nevertheless, there are areas where Europe is better served by acting as one. One such area is competition policy, where Europe has to [...]
Looking for space for homes in the capital? Build over rail lines March 4, 2019 A new survey of housebuilders published last week by construction consulting and design agency McBains is depressing reading for Londoners looking to get a foot on the housing ladder. Although two thirds of housebuilders in London reported that they had built more homes over the last 12 months, those that stated a decrease cited a [...]
London can strengthen its relations with Scotland March 4, 2019 On a brisk evening in January, I had the honour of hosting a Burns Supper at the Mansion House with the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. The night was complete with bagpipes, haggis, and of course a “wee dram” of whisky. The event brought together leading business figures from both sides of the border, [...]
Online gambling firm 888 buys Bet Bright’s sports betting platform for £15m March 4, 2019 Online gambling company 888 has snapped up Bet Bright’s sports betting platform in a deal worth £15m, the company said today. 888 said the deal, which will give it full control over Bet Bright’s technology and product development, will enhance its long-term prospects in the global sports betting market. Read more: 888 goes all in [...]
Attorney General looks to prevent Britain being ‘trapped’ in a customs union, says cabinet minister March 4, 2019 Britain’s attorney general is looking to make legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop to ensure Britain is not "trapped" in a customs union, according to communities secretary James Brokenshire. Brokenshire said Geoffrey Cox, the UK’s top government lawyer, is determined to secure a revision to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal that prevents [...]
Aviva names insurance veteran as new CEO as it aims to boost shareholder returns March 4, 2019 Aviva has appointed a new chief executive five months after sacking former boss Mark Wilson, saying it had “much further to go” to enhance shareholder value. The insurer has named company veteran Maurice Tulloch as its new boss effective immediately, who will leave his position as boss of Aviva’s international business. I am honoured to [...]
KFC taps London fintech startup Flux for paperless payments March 4, 2019 KFC has launched a partnership with London fintech startup Flux which will see the US fried chicken chain go paperless. From today, users of digital banks Monzo and Starling, as well as select Barclays customers in the near future, will be able to receive digital itemised receipts for transactions in their banking apps when they [...]
Financial Conduct Authority may intervene to prevent excessive motor finance costs March 4, 2019 Britain’s markets watchdog is considering banning certain methods lenders use to reward car retailers that cost consumers £300m a year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it found widespread use of commission models which allow brokers discretion to set the customer interest rate and thus earn higher commission, which can lead to customers paying “significantly [...]