The Bundesbank conspiracy: Why Germany is really repatriating its gold February 13, 2017 An official announcement last week that the Bundesbank had pretty much repatriated half its gold reserves ahead of schedule has once again sent the rumour mill into overdrive. Fans of the precious metal – not shy of a good conspiracy theory – have been deliberating over the move ever since Germany detailed it back in 2013. Initially, [...]
Triple the average number of roses will be imported this month from the likes of Kenya and Colombia as the UK gets romantic February 13, 2017 Romance isn't dead, at least according to new cargo statistics from Heathrow Airport. Around 8m stems of fresh cut roses are due to be imported this month; about 570 tonnes and triple what is seen for an average month. The Valentine's Day staple is due to be flown in in bulk and Heathrow notes most flowers purchased [...]
The MP trying to unseat House of Commons speaker John Bercow claims he has support from government ministers February 13, 2017 The Tory MP behind a motion of no confidence in John Bercow claims he has secured cross party support for his bid to unseat the House of Commons speaker, with government ministers also on board. Southend MP James Duddridge put forward an Early Day Motion late last week following Bercow's intervention over Donald Trump. And today, Duddridge [...]
The building trades need to recruit more women as infrastructure investment rises February 13, 2017 Recruiting women into the plumbing, electrical, and building industries is just as economically important as encouraging more women to join FTSE 100 boards, a new report said. The building trades are a leading source of employment in the UK, but a stereotypes and lack of promotion to girls making career choices leave the field dominated by [...]
Energy M&A powers into the record books: Deal activity jumps by over a third in 2017 February 13, 2017 Energy and power M&A activity is at an all-time high at the start of 2017, with nearly $66bn (£53bn) of deals announced this year. Deal activity is 36 per cent higher in the sector compared with the same period last year and the best start to a calendar year since records began in the 1980s, according to Thomson [...]
London’s lord mayor is the latest to lead a trade mission to China February 13, 2017 The City of London's lord mayor, Andrew Parmley, will follow closely in the footsteps of government ministers by leading a trade delegation to China later this month. Foreign office minister Alok Sharma began a four-day trip leading a delegation of life sciences firms earlier this week as the government seeks to boost ties with China, and Parmley will [...]
Make the Thames Estuary a hub for creativity, says Khan February 13, 2017 London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has unveiled his vision for turning the Thames Estuary into a world-class hub for the arts. Included within the mayor’s “vision document” is a theatre complex in Bexley, an experiential arts centre in Woolwich, and a new production facility in Dagenham East that would be the capital’s largest film studios if completed. [...]
Rise of Technology, Media and Telecommunications sectors fuelling demand for high-quality office space February 13, 2017 | City Talk Fuelled by record demand for high-quality office space, a thriving visitor economy, international student appeal and an attractive quality of life, it’s no wonder Edinburgh attracts developer interest from around the globe. Edinburgh’s commercial property market remained buoyant in 2016. That strong performance followed an exceptional 2015, in which office deals were the highest on record [...]
Opec has revealed compliance with its production cuts reached a record high, and oil prices are plunging February 13, 2017 Analysts are concerned the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec)'s production cuts won't be enough to raise crude prices. Opec today revealed it reached a record high of more than 90 per cent compliance with its planned cuts, but oil prices plunged on the news. Global benchmark Brent crude is trading down 2.13 per cent at around $55.49 a barrel while [...]
Le Project Fear: Frexit will cost France €30bn, says bank governor February 13, 2017 Marine Le Pen’s plans to pull France out of the European Union will raise the costs of servicing the country’s debt by roughly €30bn (£25.5bn), according to the governor of the Banque de France. Speaking on French radio, François Villeroy de Galhau warned quitting the Eurozone and the single currency will “impoverish” France. “With the euro, [...]