Police warn Calais migrant chaos will continue into weekend as thousands more attempt to make the crossing through Channel Tunnel July 30, 2015 Police on both sides of the Channel have warned that the chaos will continue into the weekend, as thousands more migrants attempt to make the crossing into England. French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve yesterday sent a further 120 police officers to deal with the escalating crisis. They have been deployed around the Eurotunnel site [...]
Tackling modern slavery requires corporate honesty – and the acceptance that it could drive practices further underground July 29, 2015 With plans in place to introduce a single piece of anti-slavery legislation, there is greater onus on businesses to be accountable for their supply chains and to do what they can to help tackle child and slave labour. In this new era of corporate honesty and accountability, some businesses could be forced to restructure [...]
London Midland, Southern and Virgin trains on Milton Keynes to London routes suffering severe disruption after a person was hit by a train this morning July 29, 2015 Update: Major disruption for services coming into London from Milton Keynes is expected to continue until at least 12pm today, after a person was hit by a train between Bletchley and Leighton Buzzard this morning. The fatality occurred earlier this morning and British Transport Police attended, along with other emergency services. Services operated [...]
Kazakhstan is a long way off the high rise life in China, but the Silk Road could take it in that direction July 29, 2015 Thousands of years ago on the ancient Silk Road, horses were to Kazakhstan what silk was to China— prime commodity. Chinese traders would traverse the Tian Shan mountains of eastern Kazakhstan, caravans loaded with silk, their most valuable product. In exchange, Kazakh nomads would equip them with Central Asian horses, prized for their strength [...]
Greggs share price soars as profits leap and dividend rises July 29, 2015 Greggs' share price jumped nearly six per cent this morning after its first half results showed the business is on a (sausage) roll. The figures The retailer had a strong first half, with sales up 6.4 per cent to £398m and pre-tax profits leaping 51 per cent to £25.6m. The baked goods business is [...]
Barclays profits beat expectations as executive chairman John McFarlane sets out new strategy July 29, 2015 Barclays' share price climbed more than 2.3 per cent this morning having beaten expectations for second quarter profits, with net income rising to £1.85bn – ahead of the £1.8bn expected – as chairman John McFarlane set out his three point plan to strengthen the bank. The figures Total income rose to £6.55bn in the three months [...]
Foxtons upbeat about second half after pre-election jitters slowed property sales July 29, 2015 Blood on the residential street? Revenues at London estate agent Foxtons have dropped in the first half, as property sales slide. The figures: Group revenue at the agency fell 2.3 per cent to £71.1m for the six months to 30 June, while property sales fell 10.9 per cent against 2014, when the market was operating [...]
Tesco’s ban on sugary drinks is fine – as long as the government keeps away and consumers can still vote with their feet July 28, 2015 As a libertarian, I don’t quite know what to think about Tesco’s decision to drop Ribena and other sugary drinks for kids. On its own, I can see the advantages. As part of a broader trend, it’s a little worrying. So why might Tesco be doing this? Let’s take it for granted that Tesco [...]
Population growth: UK to become biggest country in European Union by 2050 July 28, 2015 The UK will become the most populous country in the European Union by 2050, according to new estimates. That is, as long as we are still in the EU by then. Eurostat's predicts that the UK's population will continue to rise, from 65 million in 2015 to 67m in 2020. By 2050 it will [...]
Supermarket wars: Growth at Co-op Food for first time in a year, as Tesco and Asda decline yet again July 28, 2015 The Co-Operative supermarket is back in growth for the first time in a year, as Sainsbury's reclaims its second place position in the sector. The sector experienced slight growth for the 12 weeks to 19 July, with sales up 0.8 per cent year on year – though this was generally experienced by the smaller [...]
