Spain unemployment falls to lowest since 2009 January 26, 2017 Unemployment in Spain has fallen to its lowest point since 2009, as the economy continues its slow recovery. The jobless rate fell to 18.63 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, capping a fall in unemployment of more than two percentage points over the year, according to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE). This [...]
The government really wants more people to cycle and walk to work – so it’s investing £64m to encourage them January 26, 2017 The government is keen to see people get their Lycra on and get pedalling. Transport Minister Andrew Jones has announced £64m will go towards encouraging people to cycle and walk, supporting local projects over the next three years. It forms part of a wider government package of more than £300m to boost walking and cycling [...]
Tory infighting might be holding back the housing white paper January 26, 2017 The government's housing white paper has been repeatedly delayed – and infighting within the Tory party might be to blame. Prime Minister Theresa May has reportedly turned the policy document away because it wasn't substantial enough, and it is now thought it will be released on 6 February. Tories in safe seats, who are likely to [...]
READ: The whole text of Theresa May’s Article 50 Bill January 26, 2017 Ministers have published the text of a new bill designed to grant Theresa May the power to begin divorce negotiations with Europe. Brexit secretary David Davis had promised a "straight-forward" piece of legislation, and the Bill is certainly minimal. The entire text is below, running to an absolutely massive 132 words. Read More: May backs down over plans [...]
The Central and Piccadilly Lines didn’t have enough trains for peak times once last month January 26, 2017 Perhaps not the best day to break this to strike suffering Central Line commuters, but they may well have suspected it anyway… There wasn't a single weekday last month when the Piccadilly and Central Lines had the required amount of trains during peak evening times. The daily service requirement at peak time for the Piccadilly Line is 79 trains [...]
Wealth manager St James’s Place reports strong end to 2016, despite political surprises January 26, 2017 FTSE 100-listed wealth manager St James’s Place reported a net inflow of funds of £2.1bn in the last quarter, despite challenging market conditions. The figures In the three months to 31 December 2016, St James’s Place said its group funds under management total reached £75.3bn, up 28 per cent over the year. Read more: Wealth [...]
Now Microsoft’s pledged to train the UK in digital skills for free January 26, 2017 Microsoft is the latest tech giant to make a pledge to help train the UK in digital skills, following hot on the heels of Google and Amazon. It will offer free digital literacy training online for everyone in the UK and specifically target 30,000 UK public servants to improve their knowledge. It will also aim to [...]
Lonmin’s shares are plummeting as its latest production report reveals a “disappointing” first quarter January 26, 2017 One of the world's largest platinum producers today said labour issues and falling output led to a "disappointing" first quarter. Lonmin fell to the bottom of the FTSE all-share after it announced its production results for three months to 31 December 2016. Shares were down 14.85 per cent at 150.50p in afternoon trading. A "disappointing" quarter The South [...]
CMC’s shares fall further as spreadbetter awaits regulatory uncertainty January 26, 2017 CMC Markets’ shares fell three per cent this morning after the company said it was difficult to anticipate how much of an impact regulatory changes will have on the business. The spreadbetting giant made clear last month that it will consider moving its headquarters out of London if the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pushes ahead [...]
Mortgage lending hit a nine-month high in December January 26, 2017 Mortgage approvals hit a nine-month high in December, and overall in 2016, gross mortgage lending increased 12 per cent. Figures from the British Bankers Association show that gross mortgage borrowing increased by 3.6 per cent year-on-year in December, reaching £12.6bn, with remortgaging approvals jumping 30 per cent to their highest level since October 2008. Read more: Restaurateur [...]