The government just responded to a Donald Trump petition signed by 1.8m people February 14, 2017 Theresa May's government has just responded to an anti-Donald Trump petition signed by 1.8m people. The petition, launched in late January, called on the government to scrap plans to invite Trump to the UK for a state visit. MPs are set to debate the petition next week, but the government has today issued its own response, stressing [...]
Meet Prodigy Finance: The fintech firm that went global on day one February 14, 2017 With Trump in the White House and a hard Brexit on the horizon, protectionism is back on the menu. Many entrepreneurs are concerned about the implications for the free movement of goods, capital and people. But at a recent Leap 100 breakfast, chief executive and co-founder of Prodigy Finance, Cameron Stevens, sounded a note of [...]
Toshiba’s chairman resigns as the company delays reporting its earnings and a £5bn nuclear writedown February 14, 2017 Toshiba chairman Shigenori Shiga has resigned today as the firm revealed it expects its business to take a massive hit due to impairment charges on its US nuclear arm. After unexpectedly delaying its financial update this morning, the company said it expects a 712.5bn yen (£5.01bn) writedown, which would wipe out shareholder equity and drag the company to a full-year loss. Shiga will step down "to take management [...]
It looks like UK house price growth is getting its mojo back February 14, 2017 Are house prices bouncing back from their Brexit blip? UK house price growth ticked up to 7.2 per cent in December, official figures showed today – the highest annual growth rate since August last year. The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) UK house price index showed the average price rose to just under £220,000 in [...]
It’s full steam ahead for Tornado’s timetabled services on the Settle-Carlisle line February 14, 2017 For the first time in nearly 50 years, a steam train is to run a timetabled passenger service in England. The A1 Pacific Tornado will pull 12 Northern services on the line over the next three days, replacing diesel trains on the Settle to Carlisle line. The line crosses the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, [...]
Inflation rises closer to Bank of England’s target rate as factory gate prices soar February 14, 2017 Consumer prices growth accelerated at the fastest rate in 31 months in January, raising pressure on the Bank of England (BoE) to tighten monetary policy as inflation approaches its two per cent target, while a big jump in producer prices threatens to squeeze margins for manufacturers. The consumer price index (CPI) of inflation rose by [...]
35 psychiatrists have warned Donald Trump’s mental state makes him “incapable of serving safely as President” February 14, 2017 Donald Trump may not be the most popular President ever to set foot in the Oval Office – but now a group of psychiatrists have warned his mental state is so unstable, he shouldn't be in the White House at all. A letter to the New York Times signed by 35 psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers [...]
Acacia Mining doubles its dividend as revenues rise 21 per cent February 14, 2017 Shares in Acacia Mining jumped more that seven per cent this morning as the firm more than doubled its annual dividend. The figures Revenue for the Tanzanian gold producer surged 21 per cent to $1bn (£798m) for the full year ending 31 December 2016 due to a 13 per cent increase in gold sales while the yellow metal's price was up seven [...]
Tui losses narrow as it offloads Travelopia to private equity firm KKR for £325m February 14, 2017 Travel firm Tui has agreed to sell its specialist holiday arm Travelopia to private equity firm KKR for an enterprise value of 381m euros (£325m). It announced the sale ahead of its first-quarter results today, where UK holidaymakers' search for sun bolstered bookings, despite weakened demand for Turkey and Egypt after terror attacks and political uncertainty. Tui shares [...]
Next chapter in leadership for the high street retailer as John Barton steps down as chairman February 14, 2017 Retailer Next today announced chairman John Barton will step down after 15 years with the company. Barton has been on the board of the firm since 2002 and was appointed chairman in 2006. He will be succeeded by the Michael Roney when he retires on 1 August 2017. Read more: Next and Morrisons: What a difference [...]