United Utilities hikes dividend and pours money into its customer services November 23, 2016 United Utilities hiked its interim dividend this morning as it announced a rise in operating profit – and has said it is becoming more committed to delivering top-quality customer services. The figures For the six months ending 30 September 2016, revenues dipped to £853m, down from £857m during the same period last year. Read more: [...]
Thomas Cook takes £10m profit hit after rocky year of trading due to terror attacks and political instability November 23, 2016 Thomas Cook's revenue and profit in the 12 months to 30 September was dented by a difficult year's trading which included a number of terror attacks in popular tourist destinations, and post-Brexit vote currency volatility. The figures The travel group's revenue dropped to £7.81bn from £7.83bn. Profit from operations was down to £205m from £211m, and [...]
Donald Trump distances himself from the far right November 23, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump has disavowed far-right groups in the US after a controversial video emerged online of supporters "hailing" him in the style of a Nazi salute. Speaking at a meeting with New York Times journalists, Trump said: "I don't want to energise the group, and I disavow the group. And if they are energised [...]
City Moves for 23 November 2016 | Who’s switching jobs November 23, 2016 KINGSTON SMITH Kingston Smith, the top 20 firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, yesterday announced the promotion of James Moggeridge and Nick Thompson (pictured, right) to directors within its corporate finance department. James is experienced in leading on both M&A lead advisory projects and financial due diligence assignments. As a chartered accountant, his corporate [...]
The Lib Dem trying to beat Zac Goldsmith in Richmond Park has vowed to vote against Brexit, no matter what November 23, 2016 The Lib Dem hoping to unseat Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park by-election has vowed to fight the activation of Article 50. Sarah Olney is battling against Goldsmith in South-West London after the former Tory MP resigned over the decision to expand Heathrow. And speaking to City A.M. with just days before the vote, Olney [...]
Five of the Big Six energy firms have hiked their cheapest fixed-rate tariffs since September, according to uSwitch November 23, 2016 Five of the UK’s Big Six energy suppliers have hiked the price of their cheapest fixed-rate tariffs since September, according to data from uSwitch. On average, the UK’s major energy companies have increased their rates by an average of £129, around 16 per cent, driven by a rise in wholesale prices. The Big Six firms consist [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond to scrap letting agent fees in today’s Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond will today deliver a package of reforms aimed at raising living standards, including the latest increases for the National Living Wage. But it's not such good news for British landlords, who will suffer a blow with letting agent fees in the firing line. Hammond is expected to ban them, in what the government [...]
Southern rail operator Govia Thameslink hit by £38m bill from industrial action so far this year November 23, 2016 A raft of strikes and resulting problems on Southern rail’s lines this year have cost a mammoth £38m, according to train operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). GTR has been locked in a dispute with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union over the role of its guards on Southern rail trains. The union has organised [...]
From bunnies to Brexit – the government’s fiscal events are about to get a lot more serious November 23, 2016 Help to Buy, the National Living Wage, the New Isa, the Lifetime Isa, a tax on fizzy drinks – the list of George Osborne’s fiscal innovations was, until his departure from Downing Street, seemingly endless. During his time as chancellor, Osborne was especially keen to pull at least one rabbit out of his metaphorical hat [...]
A Khan aide has just blocked London Assembly members from grilling the new Night Tsar November 22, 2016 A key aide to Sadiq Khan has blocked London Assembly members from directly interrogating the mayor's controversial new Night Tsar Amy Lame. Khan handed the role to Lame in early November, but the appointment has been mired in disputes over her comments on social media, and the manner in which she was hired. In particular, Lame's [...]