National Express increases shareholder dividend by 10 per cent in ‘record’ set of results February 28, 2019 National Express shareholders were today rewarded with a 10 per cent increase in their dividend as the coach and bus firm delivered a "record" set of annual results. Pre-tax profits at the firm stood at £177.7m in 2018, up 13.6 per cent on the previous year. Revenue also increased from £2.32bn to £2.45bn, while operating [...]
Minister quits government warning Brexit delay will lead to ‘final humiliation’ of UK February 28, 2019 Agriculture minister George Eustice has quit the government, warning a delay in Brexit could lead to the “final humiliation of our country”. Eustice, who campaigned for Leave in the 2016 referendum, told Theresa May he had stuck by her through “a series of undignified retreats” during the course of the negotiations, but the possibility of [...]
Comrade Corbyn’s statist policies would tank the British economy February 28, 2019 The journalist Tom Bower has a new book: Dangerous Hero – Corbyn’s Ruthless Plot for Power. With all the current headlines about the Labour leader centring around his U-turn on a second referendum and the worsening crisis of antisemitism in his party, Bower’s biography is a timely reminder of Corbyn’s economic ideology. The leader of [...]
Foxtons swings to a loss in weak London property market February 28, 2019 Foxtons swung to a loss last year as the estate agent struggled with a weakened London property market, the company announced this morning. The figures The estate agent reported a £17.2m loss in its 2018 full-year results this morning, down from £6.5m profit the previous year, in part due to a non-recurring charge of £15.7m [...]
With myths circulating around the impact of a no-deal Brexit, let’s look at the facts February 28, 2019 Brexit was sold to the country as a way of “taking back control”. But now that we are faced with the prospect of no deal, many businesses are fighting to stay in control. In fact, with a month to go until Brexit day, companies are so in despair over the government’s handling of the negotiations [...]
UK car production plummets 18 per cent in January February 27, 2019 UK car production plummeted 18.2 per cent in January amid fears over a hard Brexit. Read more: Brexit uncertainty sparks public to private takeover trend The figures, released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), also revealed that almost a third of automotive companies surveyed had postponed or cancelled investment in the UK [...]
MPs criticise government for ‘lack of transparency’ over £61m Nissan ‘sweetheart’ deal February 27, 2019 An influential group of MPs has today criticised the government for not telling parliament about the £61m offer it made to Nissan in a bid to persuade the car-maker to stay in the UK. Reports that the government was offering “financial assistance” to Nissan emerged in 2016 but were dismissed by Theresa May’s deputy spokesperson [...]
Sadiq Khan asks government for £5bn grant to protect housing from no-deal Brexit February 27, 2019 Sadiq Khan has asked the government to provide a £5.2bn emergency grant to to buffer housing in the capital from the negative effects of a no-deal Brexit. In a letter to the housing secretary, James Brokenshire, the mayor said he remained "deeply concerned" about the impact leaving the EU without a deal would have on London. [...]
Sterling climbs as markets welcome parliament’s vote on possible Brexit delay February 27, 2019 Sterling soared against the euro and dollar today as markets welcomed the possibility that Brexit could be delayed. The pound rose 0.5 per cent to an eight-month high against the dollar of $1.331. Read more: Tory MP leaves government after Brexit amendment to protect EU citizens It did even better against the euro, bubbling up [...]
Tory MP Alberto Costa leaves government after Brexit amendment to protect EU citizens February 27, 2019 A Tory MP has left the government after proposing an amendment aimed at ensuring rights for EU nationals in the UK and Britons across the 27 EU member states, even in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Read more: Britain lost faith in its politicians – and then it voted for Brexit The Prime Minister’s [...]