Britain’s biggest companies call on Westminster for fundamental business rates reform September 16, 2014 Some of Britain's biggest businesses including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco, General Motors and Tata Steel have called on the government to rip up the current business rate regime claiming the current system is “a critical problem for all of British business”. The controversial tax delivers around £25bn to the Treasury every year, but [...]
Rileys calls in administrators September 15, 2014 RILEYS Sports Bar yesterday went into administration for the second time in two years. The firm’s failure threatens around 500 jobs, and 15 of its sites have been shut down. Rileys’ parent company Greybull Capital put 136-year-old firm up for sale just two months ago. Deloitte was appointed as administrators. Rileys will continue to trade [...]
500 jobs at risk as Rileys Sports Bars enters administration September 15, 2014 Sports bar chain Rileys has entered administration, putting more than 500 jobs at risk across the UK. This is the second time in two years the pool hall business has entered administration, and comes two months after parent company Greybull Capital put it up for sale. Rileys was founded in 1878. Rob Harding [...]
Seven ordered to pay £3.25m under insider trading investigation Operation Saturn September 15, 2014 Seven men have been ordered to pay nearly £3.25m after they were found guilty of insider trading as part of an FCA investigation code-named Operation Saturn. The men – Ali Mustafa, Pardip Saini, Paresh Shah, Neten Shah, Bijal Shah, Truptesh Patel and Richard Joseph – have already received custodial convictions for insider trading relating [...]
Microsoft share price falls as it confirms $2.5bn deal for Minecraft creator Mojang September 15, 2014 After weeks of speculation, Microsoft has confirmed its deal to buy Swedish video game developer Mojang and its hugely popular game Minecraft for $2.5bn (£1.5bn). Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, announced the deal in typical Silicon Valley style, with a video and accompanying note welcoming Minecraft and its “community that is among the most [...]
Could Scottish independence break up the EU? September 15, 2014 Could Scottish independence lead to the break up of the European Union? That is one view being put out today by Societe Generale analyst Albert Edwards, who has warned the consequence of a Yes vote could be “as unpredictable and as uncontrollable as those of the late 1980s in Eastern Europe, which led to [...]
Who have the US and EU put on their Russian sanctions hit lists (and why)? September 12, 2014 Further sanctions against Russia came in today, and it's safe to say that if you are in President Putin's inner circle you've probably been affected. A number of companies – including Gazprom – have also been targeted by the punitive measures for the first time. Here is our round up of who the [...]
Scottish independence: MPs blasted by Star Wars-loving Yes supporter September 12, 2014 Westminster MPs were faced with a less-than-warm welcome today, when they were greeted by an independence suppoter blaring out the sounds of the Imperial March and shouting “welcome imperial masters”. A delegation of 104 MPs and MEPs, led by leader Ed Miliband and including Lord Prescott, Yvette Cooper, Jack Straw, Peter Hain, Ivan Lewis [...]
Incoming Barclays chairman John McFarlane to face “very challenging requirements” September 12, 2014 Aviva chairman John McFarlane will face "very challenging requirements" in his new role as chairman of Barclays, said the man who recruited him today. McFarlane, who is one of Scotland's most senior businessmen, will pick up the reins at Barclays' next AGM next April when incumbent Sir David Walker steps down. He is [...]
London Fashion Week Spring 2015: What are the highlights? September 12, 2014 Julian Assange may have cancelled his London Fashion Week appearance, but we reckon there are still plenty of reasons to attend. The Wikileaks founder had been scheduled to model for Vivienne Westwood's son Ben Westwood at a show in the Ecuadorian embassy, but it's been postponed to next season's show in February. But [...]
