Obama phones Putin, warns him to negotiate ahead of Minsk summit February 11, 2015 US President Barack Obama has upped the rhetoric over Ukraine, using a phone call to tell Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peaceful settlement this week. The phone call came after Obama confirmed he had asked officials to look into supplying the Ukrainian government with weapons to fight the Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. Putin is meeting [...]
New Look IPO: We’re dressed up and ready for a float, says chief exec February 10, 2015 New Look is ready to consider another attempt at an initial public offering (IPO), the fashion retailer’s chief executive said yesterday, as it blamed the warm weather for a fall in third quarter sales. Anders Kristiansen has consistently brushed off rumours that the retailer is planning a return to the market. New Look pulled a [...]
Conservative silent auction: Who will be shoe shopping with Theresa May? February 10, 2015 The annual Conservative Party black and white fundraising ball was on Monday night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair. The highlight of the evening was an auction, with various exclusive lots up for grabs. Lots this year included budgets signed by George Osborne, and doing an Iron Man (not quiet man) Endeavour with [...]
Martin Wheatley says FCA was not informed of HSBC tax allegations February 10, 2015 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) did not know about the HSBC tax allegations until media reports released details on Sunday, according to the watchdog's chief executive. Earlier today, Martin Wheatley told the Commons Treasury Select Committee that no formal information regarding claims of tax evasion was passed on to the body. "I am [...]
General Election 2015: David Cameron plans new “help to grow” scheme to create British Mittelstand February 10, 2015 David Cameron has pledged billions of pounds in new funding to help small and medium-sized businesses grow. The Prime Minister promised £1bn as part of a new “help to grow”scheme to create a British version of Germany’s Mittelstand- a backbone of medium-sized firms across the country. Speaking to business leaders at the British Chambers of [...]
London mayor Boris Johnson’s trade mission helped by $40m investment in life sciences and technology companies February 10, 2015 Boris Johnson's most recent trade mission was helped by news of a $40m (£26m) investment from two US companies yesterday, boosting the capital's reputation for cultivating life science and technology industries. The London mayor is currently on a US trade mission in a bid to attract investments for British businesses. Heavy snowfall means he's currently [...]
Hotel cancels Rangers’ shareholder meeting over Mike Ashley’s involvement following concerns about “significant disruption” February 10, 2015 The hotel that was to host the upcoming general meeting for Rangers shareholders has pulled out over fears it would result in “significant disruption” to other guests and neighbours. The meeting is expected to be something of a showdown between the club's shareholders and Mike Ashley, who recently lent Rangers more than £10m to [...]
David Cameron at the British Chambers of Commerce conference: “Give Britain a pay rise” February 10, 2015 "It is time Britain had a pay rise": that will be the message from David Cameron, as the Prime Minister addresses the British Chambers of Commerce conference today. In his speech, Cameron will say that in the current low-inflation, low-oil-price environment, businesses can afford to pay workers more – and that conditions "have not been this good [...]
Prime Minister David Cameron holds emergency meeting to protect British banks from Grexit February 9, 2015 David Cameron has held emergency talks with officials from the Treasury and the Bank of England to prepare for a possible Greek exit from the Eurozone. The Prime Minister held meetings this morning, as the chances of a "Grexit" increased following a defiant speech from prime minister Alexis Tsipras yesterday. Although the UK isn't part [...]
Goodbye Jammersmith, hello to Wombling free? Mayor Boris Johnson outlines radical plans to solve capital’s congestion headaches February 9, 2015 London mayor Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to reduce congestion and open up more land for housing developments and public space across some of London's busiest hubs. Five of the capital's biggest traffic pinchpoints – including the A4 in Hammersmith – are going under the knife as part of the plans, which will see [...]