Axa Healthcare reduces its own medical cover for staff July 27, 2009 AXA PPP, the UK health insurer, has decided to reduce the amount of private healthcare provision it gives its own employees. As part of a consultation process with its workforce, the group is introducing restrictions to its cover to make it less costly. It has told employees the new cover will incorporate a so-called six [...]
Cameron warns of tax hikes July 26, 2009 THE MIDDLE classes and motorists will be the first hit by a slew of tax hikes and spending cuts outlined yesterday by the Conservative party. Tory leader David Cameron warned that if his party comes to power next year the better off will need to dig deep to help repair the UK’s finances. With total [...]
The internet brands that consumers trust the most July 7, 2009 THE Tories have said that they will embrace the age of “open source”, making government information open for “mash-ups” and even letting patients store their NHS data with commercial companies like Microsoft and Google, rather than with the NHS. This is part of their post-bureaucratic age (PBA) agenda, of which more below. So which companies [...]
Both parties will cut public spending June 10, 2009 ANY future government faces one of three option: either continue racking up a crippling budget deficit; or put taxes up until the pips squeaks and anybody with any sense leaves the country; or cut spending. We simply cannot go on with budget deficits of £100bn-£200bn a year for the next decade, which is what we [...]
The Apprentice winner Yasmina uncovers the sweet side of Sugar June 7, 2009 Yasmina is excited. Very excited. “It just feels amazing”, she says of her victory. “Phenomenal. Amazing. Great. Ecstatic. You’ve caught me at a good time. I’m in the Apprentice bubble. I’m loving it.” She’s obviously delighted by her win, but not surprised. “Before I met the other candidates in the house I was petrified. I [...]
ACS raises 43.75m to fund further acquisitions May 21, 2009 ADVANCED Computer Software, the healthcare IT services provider, said yesterday it had conditionally raised £43.75m in a share placing to provide funding for future acquisitions. The placing of 145.25m shares at a price of 30p a share was handled by Seymour Pierce and Mirabaud Securities. ACS said it now has over £55m in the bank [...]
Public Sector must try harder to please consumer July 15, 2008 Public services have been having a bad time recently, with data disks going missing, concerns about MRSA in hospitals and intense dissatisfaction with the move to fortnightly bin collections by many local authorities. It’s hardly surprising then that only one in five people in the UK believe public services are generally well run. Most of [...]
Credit crisis begins to take human toll July 10, 2008 It is not only bonuses that have come crashing down during the recent economic decline, but also the number of divorce papers hitting the doormat. Research commissioned for City law firm Mishcon de Reya revealed that while half the workers in the Square Mile had seen their bonuses cut by up to £40,000 this year, [...]
NHS told to refocus on quality of care July 1, 2008 The quality of a patient’s care will become the central focus of the National Health Service in England, with hospitals and careteams rewarded for achieving high standards. Patients will be given a new legal right to choose their GP practice and the kind of treatment they will receive under a draft NHS constitution, launched on [...]
Giving the dream July 1, 2008 Fund manager Nicola Horlick wants to do her bit for society, she tells Timothy Barber Nicola Horlick has never been known for mincing her words. When asked about the turmoil currently engulfing Western economies, the chief executive of Bramdean Asset Management is characteristically forthright. “This all feels like the last days of the Roman Empire, [...]