Hammond heralds ‘end of austerity’ as debt and deficit forecasts improve October 29, 2018 Chancellor Philip Hammond heralded the “end of austerity” in his Budget speech today as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) improved its outlook and said debt and the deficit would continue to fall. The OBR has improved its GDP growth forecast to 1.6 per cent for 2019 – increased from the 1.3 per cent forecasted at [...]
Flybe shares continue descent despite winter flights boost October 29, 2018 Shares in budget airline Flybe continued to fall this morning despite the company increasing its winter schedule. The UK company began its 2018/19 winter schedule, increasing its number of weekly flights by six per cent to 2,835. Shares dropped more than three per cent on Monday to 12.3p, having been priced at 37.5p at the [...]
Rio Tinto says $1.3bn sale of stake in Guinea iron mine has lapsed October 29, 2018 A deal for Rio Tinto to sell its stake in a Guinea iron ore project for $1.3bn (£1bn) has fallen through. The global miner had signed a non-binding agreement for China's Chinalco to buy its 45.05 per cent stake in the Simandou project in October 2016. On Monday it said the agreement had lapsed and it [...]
Hammond to announce special 50p coin to commemorate Brexit October 29, 2018 The Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to announce a commemorative 50p coin to mark Brexit later today. The coin will be available from 29 March – the day Britain leaves the EU – and will have the phrase “Friendship with all nations” written on one side with the Queen's head on the other. Hammond is expected [...]
HSBC profits soar as bank keeps a ‘strong grip’ on costs and flourishes in Asia October 29, 2018 HSBC reported a 28 per cent profit rise as strong revenue in Asia and efforts to keep costs down paid off. The bank reported a pre-tax profit rise of 28 per cent to $5.9bn (£4.6bn) in the third quarter of the year – with $4.6bn of that generated in Asia. For the first nine of [...]
Global backlash over Khashoggi killing is “hysteria”, Saudi foreign minister says October 27, 2018 The global backlash over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has become “hysteria” and Saudi ties with the US are still “ironclad”, the kingdom's foreign minister has said. Adel al-Jubeir said on Saturday those behind the murder of the Washington Post columnist would be prosecuted but the investigation would take time. He described the international [...]
Fracking paused in Lancashire after fourth seismic event in four days October 27, 2018 Fracking has been paused at British shale gas company Cuadrilla's Lancashire site after a fourth “micro seismic” event in four days. Cuadrilla said it recorded the 0.8ML tremor at its Preston New Road site on Saturday morning and would continue to monitor seismic activity until before resuming on Monday. The company said the activity did [...]
Sir Philip Green slams Lord Hain for unmasking him as businessman at centre of harassment allegations October 27, 2018 Sir Philip Green has slammed Lord Hain after the peer named him as the businessman at the centre of allegations of sexual harassment and racial abuse. The business tycoon, who has denied all the allegations, was named by Lord Hain under parliamentary privilege after the Daily Telegraph was banned from identifying Green through an injunction. [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond to announce £1.5bn boost to struggling UK high streets October 27, 2018 The Chancellor Philip Hammond is set to unveil a £1.5bn boost to the UK's struggling high streets in his Budget on Monday. In his speech Hammond is expected to announce £900m of immediate business rates relief on top of a £650m fund to “transform” high streets up and down the country. Around 500,000 small retailers [...]
Sadiq Khan urged to ‘get a grip’ on London transport as government bails out Crossrail with £350m loan October 26, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to “get a grip” of transport in the city after the government bailed out the delayed Crossrail project with a £350m loan today. Transport for London (TfL) said the money was needed to continue construction work on the delayed Elizabeth Line. In July, rail minister Jo Johnson announced [...]