Tax rise on national insurance “modest but welcome” says IFS on chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget March 9, 2017 Moves by chancellor Philip Hammond to increase national insurance tax on the self-employed are “modest but welcome”, according to an influential economics think tank. Paul Johnson, head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said the tax increase will help “shore up the tax base and create a slightly less unequal playing field.” The increase [...]
Theresa May’s Article 50 Brexit bill could be approved by parliament as soon as Monday March 9, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May could be handed the power to begin Brexit negotiations as early as Monday, with the House of Lords on notice to rapidly approve legislation. MPs are set to debate the Article 50 Bill from Monday, with focus on amendments installed by the House of Lords. However, while time has been allotted for [...]
The new Elizabeth Line passenger trains have arrived for testing ahead of May launch March 9, 2017 The time is drawing closer… The Elizabeth Line has been quietly taking shape with a release of bird's eye images in January showing how the various stations are shaping up. And this week, Transport for London (TfL) announced the first train to be used for passengers had arrived for testing in the capital. The first @elizabethline train [...]
Downing Street is refusing to rule out a u-turn on a National Insurance tax hike for the self-employed March 9, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond's plan to hike National Insurance contributions (NICs) for self-employed workers has continued to generate controversy, with Downing Street today refusing to rule out a review of the scheme. Hammond has been at pains to defend the plans today, but increasing numbers of Tory MPs have come out against the plan to up NICs [...]
Cyber Security in a Transport Revolution March 9, 2017 The transport industry is undergoing a technological revolution driven by connectivity, Big Data, autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Driverless cars are on the horizon and the Internet of Things is being developed throughout our current transport infrastructure. However, these technologies pose some significant issues, particularly in the area of cyber security. To address some of [...]
How Google’s DeepMind is using blockchain-like technology to make patient health data transparent and secure March 9, 2017 Google's DeepMind has lifted the lid on its development of "blockchain related" technology that it's planning to use to make patient health data both more transparent and secure. The British artificial intelligence company which is working on trial projects with the NHS in London, is seeking to allay fears over access to patient's personal health data, and [...]
Domino’s Pizza Group shares drop after UK like-for-like sales for 2017 miss analyst expectations March 9, 2017 Domino's Pizza Group saw its share slide over 15 per cent this morning after reporting lower-than-expected like-for-like sales in the UK for the first nine weeks of 2017. The figures Sales at Britain's biggest pizza delivery firm's stores open for about two years rose 1.5 per cent during the period, much lower than the 10.5 per cent [...]
Britain will need its aviation industry “more than ever” post-Brexit, says aviation minister Lord Ahmad March 9, 2017 Aviation minister Lord Ahmad has told the industry it will be needed "more than ever" with Brexit on the horizon, as airlines seek clarity on what lies ahead. Ahmad said the government has been clear in its plans and will be "negotiating for a new, comprehensive, free trade agreement" securing the "right access" to European aviation markets. [...]
Ineos snaps up Engie’s shale gas assets to create the largest portfolio in Britain’s fracking industry March 9, 2017 Ineos has just become the UK's biggest shale gas firm, after it completed a deal to acquire all of French rival Engie's shale gas interests for an undisclosed amount. That means Ineos' total portfolio under licence is now more than 1.2m acres, the largest of any company involved in the UK's shale industry. Ineos, a [...]
Aviva share price rockets after releasing annual results that “speak for themselves” March 9, 2017 Aviva's shares leapt over six per cent this morning after beating forecasts and building up a hefty cash pile to reward investors. The figures Similar to other insurers, Aviva was hit by the Lord Chancellor's decision to cut the discount rate. It said the move had hit profits after tax by £380m. In its reported [...]