Cameron tells business to pass on falling oil price benefits to staff through higher wages January 17, 2015 Businesses reaping the rewards of plummeting oil prices have been urged to pass on the savings to staff in the form of higher pay by David Cameron. Asked about the matter on a visit to Washington, the Prime Minister told reporters: "Obviously I want to see companies’ success passed through in terms of wage increases. [...]
Tesco boss Dave Lewis given dressing down over “toxic culture” as he pulls controversial plans for Ealing Green store January 16, 2015 Tesco has pulled its plans for a controversial new store on Ealing Green – despite it not being on the list of those dropped under Dave Lewis' new strategy. But that still hasn't stopped the new chief executive coming in for a dressing down by an angry campaigner over Tesco's “toxic culture”, claiming [...]
Tesco tells a third of senior directors they face redundancy or demotion as Dave Lewis’ restructure begins to bite January 16, 2015 Tesco has started warning senior directors that they face redundancy or demotion, as part of a restructure designed to get the supermarket back on track. Around a third of these key decision-makers have been told by Tesco top brass that they face redundancy or “changed responsibilities at a lower work level”, according to [...]
Mike Ashley’s USC bought out of administration by… Mike Ashley’s Republic January 16, 2015 Mike Ashley's fast fashion retailer USC has been bought out of administration by… Mike Ashley's fast fashion retailer Republic. A notice of intention to put USC, which was bought out by Sports Direct in 2011, into administration was filed last week, with the threat that the company's 90 stores would shut, putting hundreds of [...]
Why David Cameron’s crusade against encryption could backfire on business January 15, 2015 One so-called expert in terrorism and one person who claims to be able to tackle it embarrassed themselves this week. The first was a hapless Fox News commentator, who had convinced himself that Birmingham was an outpost of the Islamic State, sparking hilarity in the Twittersphere. The second was none other than David Cameron, who [...]
Why Marks & Spencer’s investors haven’t all revolted on Marc Bolland (yet) in two charts January 15, 2015 Marks & Spencer's chief executive Marc Bolland has come in for a pounding yet again, after the retailer revealed another set of dismal results last week. Like-for-likes in general merchandise, which includes clothing, fell 5.8 per cent for the 13 weeks to December 27, the 14th consecutive quarter M&S has recorded declines in this division. [...]
Cheap oil won’t help recovery, warns IMF chief Christine Lagarde January 15, 2015 Cheap oil is unlikely to speed up recovery, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has warned, adding that global recovery is currently too "lopsided". In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Lagarde suggested that although growth in the US and a lower oil price has given economies a helping hand, [...]
Mike Ashley offers Rangers £10m loan in return for securities on Ibrox January 15, 2015 Mike Ashley appears to have offered flailing Rangers a life-line, but in order to accept the Scottish club's board will have to renege on promises previously made to fans. The Newcastle United owner is ready to provide a £10m loan to the club, but in return will want securities on its Ibrox stadium and [...]
David Cameron wants Twitter and Facebook to help intelligence agencies track down dangerous people January 15, 2015 Later today, Prime Minister David Cameron will try to persuade US President Barack Obama of the need for more cooperation between intelligence agencies and US tech firms like Twitter and Facebook. He will say that public safety is at stake, and that new laws regarding communication via social media platforms should be imposed [...]
JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon: Banks are under assault January 14, 2015 The flood of megafines and regulations being inflicted on banks amounts to an “assault” by a multitude of authorities, JP Morgan’s boss Jamie Dimon claimed yesterday. Such a sustained attack threatens the competitiveness of the US as a whole, the chairman and chief executive said in an unusually outspoken defence of the industry. “Banks are [...]