Broadband speeds are increasing but rural towns lag behind Rural towns lagging behind on broadband Rural areas of the UK are lagging behind cities and towns as Boris Johnson’ government brings the nation’s digital divide into focus. A report by Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulator, showed that around 155,000 UK properties can not access decent broadband. These homes will be able to request coverage from BT from March 2020, the [...]
UK GDP growth revised up but ‘shows underlying slowing of economy’, ONS GDP growth up but economy slowing says ONS A revised estimate showed UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2019 showing an underlying slowing of the UK economy. This was higher than the expected 0.3 per cent but reflected high domestic and global uncertainty, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said today in its quarterly [...]
Regulator’s report stalls new Heathrow runway Heathrow expansion delayed by a year after CAA report Heathrow’s new runway will be delayed by over a year after a report by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) restricted early spending on the expansion. The project is now expected to be completed between 2028 and late 2029, a setback of more than a year. Read more: Boris Johnson raises red flag in election over [...]
Insurer LV shifts focus to pension provision with new boss December 20, 2019 Pension provider LV has today announced a new chief executive as it shifts its focus away from insurance to savings and retirement. Mark Hartigan will move to the company from Zurich Insurance group. Current CEO Richard Downey this year lead the sale of LV’s general insurance division to Allianz and will step down at the [...]
Uber banned in Germany as bumpy ride continues into 2020 December 19, 2019 A German court banned Uber from operating its ride-hailing services in Germany today for lacking the licence necessary to offer transport services using rental cars. Uber is active in seven German cities and works exclusively with car rental companies and their drivers. It can appeal to a higher court and will continue to drive in [...]
New government ‘must commit to flexible labour market’, say CBI December 19, 2019 Business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) today warned more than seven in ten businesses fear they won’t have access to skilled workers they need in the next year. Britain’s plans for a new post-Brexit immigration system risk the flexibility of the UK’s labour market, which could cause a shortage of skilled workers, [...]
Airbnb wins European court battle to dodge property rules ahead of public listing December 19, 2019 Airbnb received another boost today ahead of its public listing next year as Europe’s top court ruled that it is an online platform not an estate agent. The decision by the European court of justice will allow the company to dodge regulations faced by property brokers as it continues to expand. The company, which announced [...]
British engineering firm Goodwin suffers 17 per cent dive in share price on profit drop December 19, 2019 British engineer Goodwin’s shares shed over 17 per cent this morning after reporting a “deterioration” in profit for the six months to 31 October. Pre-tax profit fell 5.1 per cent from £7.8m to £7.4m and the group expects similar profitability for the next six months. Read more: CBI urges PM to end uncertainty amid gloomy [...]
Revealed: The best and worst airlines of 2019 December 19, 2019 British Airways will feel the pressure as it freefalls to a spot alongside the nation’s worst flyers, above only Ryanair and American Airlines, according to a survey by consumer magazine Which. It is a fast fall from grace for the company that topped the tables in 2015 as strikes, IT failures and mass cancellations have [...]
Amazon, Apple and Google team up to break home tech barriers December 18, 2019 Amazon, Apple and Google are teaming up to develop a new standard for compatibility across smart home products and appliances, the companies said today. The standard could unify a home’s electrical ecosystem and break down barriers between platforms, enabling consumers to rely on multiple providers for a streamlined service. Read more: Smart homes could transform [...]
