Outsourcing failures have ‘undermined public trust’ in policy September 15, 2019 The government’s repeated failure to outsource public services effectively has “caused harm and waste,” stoking calls from Labour to nationalise them, according to research. In a stinging rebuke of outsourcing failures over recent years, the Institute for Government (IfG) said this evening the policy has, at times, “let down” the people most in need in [...]
Protesters throw petrol bombs as Hong Kong violence persists September 15, 2019 Anti-government protests in Hong Kong showed no signs of letting up today, as police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing petrol bombs at government buildings. Some protesters threw bricks at police outside a Chinese army base in the city, and set fire to a banner intended to celebrate the upcoming 70th [...]
Thomas Cook ‘scrambles to seal rescue deal’ amid concerns over bondholders September 15, 2019 Troubled travel company Thomas Cook is said to be looking to delay a pivotal bondholders’ meeting on Wednesday to give it more time to agree a £900m rescue deal with majority shareholder Fosun. The 178-year-old holiday firm is still scrambling to wrap up the terms of a restructuring deal with the Chinese conglomerate, but fears [...]
Engineering specialist Ricardo suffers amid global car industry downturn September 12, 2019 Engineering consultancy Ricardo’s shares fell seven per cent today after it reported that its automotive business struggled last year. The London-listed firm enjoyed a rise in revenue and growing order books in the year ending 30 June, but its division which serves the car industry was hit by a “pretty awful year” in the wider [...]
Mitie to continue managing Lloyds Bank facilities until 2024 September 12, 2019 Outsourcer Mitie has been tasked with managing Lloyds Banking Group branches across the country for the next five years, in a contract estimated to be worth about £850m. The so-called integrated facilities management contract means Mitie workers will provide engineering, security, cleaning, catering and data centre services across Lloyds’ network of bank branches, and in [...]
Sadiq Khan under fire for calling Shaun Bailey ‘frit’ in heated City Hall exchange September 12, 2019 Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey have traded fresh blows at City Hall this morning, with the mayor calling his Conservative challenger “frit,” and “a wuss”. Khan came under fire from the Conservative Assembly Member for being childish during the monthly Mayor’s Question Time, after implying he was too scared to ask him questions. Read more: [...]
Oil prices: Opec faces ‘daunting’ global surplus with prices to nosedive in 2020 September 12, 2019 The International Energy Agency has ramped up the pressure on oil-rich countries to cut production, after it warned international organisation Opec will have to tussle with a growing surplus that will decrease prices. Read more: Saudi Aramco Indian investment ‘among biggest ever’ In its monthly report, the IEA said the challenge of managing global oil [...]
Defence industry cheers £1.25bn Royal Navy warship contract going to British giant Babcock September 12, 2019 Britain’s sinking shipbuilding industry has been thrown a lifeline after industry giant Babcock was tasked with building the Royal Navy’s latest fleet of warships. The once-thriving sector has been in decline for the last 40 years, with historic shipyards in Sunderland and Portsmouth being shuttered. Just last month, Belfast’s Harland and Wolff yard, which built [...]
Capita hikes pay for 6,000 employees to real living wage September 12, 2019 Outsourcer Capita will give a pay rise to 6,000 people next year, ranging from administrative staff to call centre workers, City A.M. can reveal. The company will pay all its UK employees a minimum of the real living wage from April, meaning they will get at least £9 per hour. In London, this is significantly [...]
Serco extends controversial Australian migrant detention centre contract September 11, 2019 Outsourcer Serco will continue running Australian immigration detention centres for the next two years, after the country’s government extended the controversial contract which has already run for a decade. Read more: Serco fined £19m for government tagging contract fraud The agreement means Serco will continue running a divisive facility on Christmas Island, an Australian overseas [...]
