WH Smith to expand into US airports after £155m deal for accessories outlet In Motion October 30, 2018 WH Smith's share price rose over five per cent this morning on news it will expand its brand into US airports after buying American travel accessories outlet In Motion. The $198m (£155m) deal sees the British retailer take over 114 stores across some of the busiest airports in the US. It doubles the size of WH [...]
Trading platform IG’s first female chief executive poised to take over group October 30, 2018 Trading and investment company IG Group has appointed its first female chief executive in the firm’s 44-year history. June Felix, a veteran of Verifone, Citibank and IBM, joins IG's executive team after a little over three years on its board. The group has been looking for a new chief executive since September when long-time boss [...]
Tax to hit private jet owners and long-haul flyers October 29, 2018 Long-haul flyers will pay and extra couple of pounds when booking their travel under new rules in the autumn budget. The rules will increase the air passenger duty (APD) paid on long-haul economy flights by £2, and higher class travel will increase by £4. Dury on long-haul journeys in private jets will see an increase [...]
New plastics tax to help clean up Britain’s wildlife October 29, 2018 Non-recycled plastic packaging will be taxed under new plans announced by the chancellor to reduce ocean waste. Philip Hammond said he was committing the UK to tackle deadly plastics. “We must become a world leader in tackling the scourge of the plastic littering our planet and our oceans,” the chancellor said. Plastic packaging is “convenient for consumers [...]
Pot luck: Councils get £420m to tackle potholes this year October 29, 2018 Chancellor Philip Hammond has promised a further £420m investment this financial year to help local authorities tackle potholes and and keep bridges safe. Hammond also said he would make £150m available for small improvement projects, such as roundabouts. “Every member of parliament will testify that potholes are high on the public’s list of concerns. So as autumn [...]
New NHS service to include mental health ambulances and a hotline for sufferers October 29, 2018 Chancellor Philip Hammond has reiterated the government’s promise for an extra £20.5bn in funds for the NHS, including a new mental health crisis service, as he committed to end austerity. “We made out choice for this budget four months before it was delivered,” the chancellor said. “Our NHS is the number one priority of the [...]
Giant emerald set to roar at Singapore auction house October 29, 2018 A massive emerald found in a Zambian mine earlier this month will go on sale in Singapore in November. The 5,655 carat Inkalamu Emerald, named after the Bemba word for lion, will be sold to a group of 45 hand-picked potential bidders in a Singapore auction. It was discovered at Kagem, the world’s largest emerald [...]
Big Four accountant EY admits need for improved audit standards as UK revenues rise October 29, 2018 Accounting giant EY has said that standards must improve in the audit sector and welcomed an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into the scrutinised sector, as it reported increased UK revenue today. The figures EY’s fee income, equivalent to revenue, grew 2.7 per cent to £2.41bn for the financial year ending June. EY’s partners will [...]
Shadow Chancellor declines to put cost on massive renationalisation plans October 28, 2018 John McDonnell has refused to put a cost on Labour’s renationalisation plans, laughing off estimates taxpayers would pay nearly £200bn. Speaking to Andrew Marr, the shadow chancellor said a Labour government would give shareholders whatever parliament decided. However, he said the government would pay close to the value of companies like Royal Mail to take [...]
Pret A Manger agrees payout with US staff who claim they were short changed October 28, 2018 Pret A Manger will pay almost $1m (£779,000) to US workers who claim they were underpaid while working for the company. The sandwich chain has been accused of rounding down the hours that staff at its New York outlets were reimbursed for. It is the second time the UK-based firm has been hit by accusations [...]
