Growth accelerated in January as UK consumers kept on spending February 10, 2017 The UK economy started the year strongly with an acceleration in January, according to estimates by an influential economic think tank. GDP grew by 0.7 per cent in the three months to January, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr). That compares to confirmed growth of 0.6 per cent in the [...]
This is the longest journey you could possibly make in London February 10, 2017 While wearing our curiosity-oriented thinking cap the other day, a stray thought struck us. What are the two furthest points from each other within Greater London? We presumed someone else would have already calculated this, but a Google search later left us none the wiser. That's when we decided to grab the cartographic bull by [...]
Twitter shares sink at the open after yesterday’s $1bn selloff February 10, 2017 Twitter's share price sank further on the opening bell in New York today, after its results sent prices into a nosedive yesterday. Shares fell 3.6 per cent to 15.80 at the open, after they plummeted more than 12 per cent yesterday, wiping $1bn after the company's value. Its fourth quarter earnings, posted yesterday, showed revenues had edged [...]
The steel and oil and gas industries have been classed as “low priority” in Brexit negotiations February 10, 2017 A leaked government document reveals securing the future of the steel and oil and gas sectors will be a low priority during Brexit negotiations. Officials have divided British industries into high, medium or low priority categories according to a document which was obtained by The Times. The government plans to focus most of its efforts on higher ranking [...]
BoE meets CoE: Mark Carney defends the Bank of England’s referendum judgement again and stands up for ethical financial services with the Archbishop of Canterbury February 10, 2017 The governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney has defended the Bank’s role in the EU referendum debate, while saying he is determined to move forward and shape a financial sector fit for a changing Britain. Some pro-Leave campaigners questioned the Bank’s motives when it warned of financial damage if the UK voted to [...]
Sears shares rocket 29 per cent as boss outlines plans for a “strategic transformation” February 10, 2017 Shares in US department store Sears rocketed as markets opened today, after plans to reduce debts sent investors on a shopping spree. The retail giant said its new strategy could remove $1.5bn from its debt and pensions obligations, which have weighed on the company’s stock market performance. “We are initiating a fundamental restructuring of our [...]
360kg of cocaine worth £50m has washed up on two beaches in Norfolk February 10, 2017 Around 360kg of cocaine has washed up on two beaches in Norfolf, the National Crime Agency said today. The drugs have a potential value of £50m. A member of the public contacted Norfolk Police yesterday afternoon having discovered a number of holdalls on Hopton Beach near Great Yarmouth. Police and Border Force officers initially attended the [...]
Focus On Victoria: A £4bn investment in housing, retail and infrastructure is making it a destination in its own right February 10, 2017 If the Queen’s getting a £369m refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, it seems only fair that the neighbourhood surrounding it should get a polish, too. £4bn should just about cover it, and that’s how much has been invested in the area by developer Land Securities over the last five years. Around £700bn of that has gone [...]
Instagram-obsessed millennials are wasting food February 10, 2017 Millennials are prioritising making food visually appealing and are wasting ingredients as a result, according to a Sainsbury’s report. Kids these days, eh? The study found older generations are more likely to plan meals in advance and make full use of the food available, while millennials are creating more interesting meals. Sainsbury’s surveyed 5,050 consumers on [...]
Greene King reveals sober sales despite gains over the Christmas period February 10, 2017 Sales at British pub operator Greene King grew over the 40 weeks to 5 February due to a strong Christmas period, but it was hit by a "dramatic" slowdown of sales in the quieter months. The figures In a trading statement today, Greene King said like-for-like sales grew 1.1 per cent over the period. For the [...]