Love is in the air: “Tinder economy” is worth £11.7bn as a third of Brits find dates from apps February 7, 2017 Dating is providing a loving boost to the UK economy – to the tune of £14.5bn. And dating apps cash in on £11.7bn of that, according to research for TSB. The average singleton goes out on two dates a month, with first dates costing around £41.20 as people push the boat out. When it comes [...]
UK retail sales fell in January in a reversal of fortunes for the sector February 7, 2017 UK retail sales fell in January as shoppers curbed spending on non-food items. On a like-for-like basis, retail sales fell 0.6 per cent in January as compared to the same month a year before, reversing a sales rise of one per cent in December. Total sales rose just 0.1 per cent, against a 3.3 per [...]
Spending on essentials has hit record highs February 7, 2017 Spending on essential goods such as food and fuel has reached record highs as inflation has started to hit the UK consumer's wallet. There was a 15.3 per cent jump in petrol spending year-on-year in January, according to Barclaycard, and a 2.9 per cent hike in supermarket expenditure. This was coupled with a 3.4 per cent [...]
Former trade minister Lord Green appointed President of the Institute of Export & International Trade February 7, 2017 Former trade minister Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint has been appointed President of the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT). Lord Green will be tasked with driving the strategy and vision of the Institute and boosting the UK's exporting scene, as Britain soon begins the process of leaving the European Union – with Theresa May [...]
An open and immigrant-friendly UK can stay in the top 10 as the world economy doubles in size by 2050 says a new report February 7, 2017 The world economy is set to double in size by 2050, with the UK hanging on to a spot in the top 10 if it can forge successful new trading links and an open attitude to immigration after Brexit, according to a new report. The UK will fall one place in terms of purchasing power [...]
The UK is losing out on foreign direct investment due to the uncertainty following Brexit vote February 7, 2017 The UK is losing out on foreign direct investment (FDI) due to the uncertainty following last year's Brexit vote, according to a new study by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. The study, which looked at FDI inflows last year in 45 major economies, found the amount of investment fetched by the UK is lagging behind [...]
Lord mayor Dr Andrew Parmley launches 2017 City-wide mental health campaign to reduce stigma in the workplace February 7, 2017 Lord mayor Dr Andrew Parmley is today launching a 2017 City-wide mental health campaign aiming to dispel myths surrounding mental health in the workplace. The lord mayor of the City of London kicks off This is Me – in the City at Deutsche Bank – an initiative led by the Lord Mayor's Appeal charity to reduce the stigma [...]
More than half of businesses in the UK, US and Germany aren’t fully prepared to deal with a cyber attack February 7, 2017 More than half of businesses (53 per cent) in the UK, US and Germany aren’t fully prepared to deal with cyber attacks, according to a new study of 3,000 companies. Specialist insurer Hiscox’s cyber report – which assessed firms on strategy, resourcing, technology and process – found that UK firms are least likely to have [...]
21st Century Fox beats earnings forecasts thanks to US election boost February 6, 2017 The heated US presidential race provided a boost to 21st Century Fox as the Murdoch-controlled firm beat earnings forecasts. Revenues rose four per cent to $7.68bn (£6.2bn) for the three months ending in December, just short of forecasts. Operating income rose 27 per cent to $857m, compared to $674m for the same period a year [...]
Green belt reform drops off the agenda as ministers issue long-awaited housing proposals February 6, 2017 Ministers have steered away from a liberalisation of building on so-called green belt land, despite acknowledging the worsening housing crisis in many parts of the country. The government had been expected to introduce reforms to free up protected land, but proposals released today after months of delay have instead abandoned any reference to easing restrictions. Instead, [...]