Police warn against “absolute carnage” as Scots go to the polls September 2, 2014 The Scottish Police Federation has issued a statement warning both sides of the Scottish independence referendum to play nice “in response to the suggestion of absolute carnage in and around polling stations on September 18”. The much-anticipated referendum has seen polls narrow to such a degree that the Yes campaign is just six points [...]
Google is the media brand you love to hate most September 2, 2014 The media is full of celebs, politicians and high profile figures we love to hate – and it is no different in the media industry, with that highest of profile brand Google being ranked as most loved and disliked in a recent survey. The tech giant topped a poll of nearly 800 media professionals, [...]
UK construction index surges ahead of expectations September 2, 2014 UK construction powered ahead last month, with the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rising above consensus expectations. August's construction PMI rose to 64 – its highest since January, and well above the consensus line of 61.5. The markets had been expecting a drop from July's level of 62.4. It is also above its average [...]
Hot sauce: Tesco launches new sandwich store to fight Pret A Manger September 1, 2014 Another day, another sandwich bar opens. So what's new? Well this time, it's Tesco which is launching a brand new sandwich shop format – selling premium subs and hot breakfast to City workers. This morning the supermarket opened its first small format sandwich store, conveniently located a stone's throw away from City AM's [...]
Cameron pledges legislation to deal with terror threat – but how will the ‘severe’ rating affect markets? August 29, 2014 Prime Minister David Cameron has given a speech outlining new legislation to make it harder for Brits to travel to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State (IS). The press conference followed home secretary Theresa May's announcement that the UK's terror threat level had increased to “severe” – the second highest rating possible – [...]
RBS steps up the search for a new chairman August 29, 2014 Royal Bank of Scotland has reportedly stepped up its search for a successor to chairman Sir Philip Hampton, hiring recruitment giant Egon Zehnder International to lead the hunt. Hampton will step down in 2015 after more than six years at the top of the bank, which is still 81 per cent owned by the government, [...]
After Carswell’s defection, here are six Tory MPs who might jump ship to Ukip August 29, 2014 Yesterday's shock news that senior backbencher and well respected Tory MP Douglas Carswell was defecting to Ukip caught many of the political elite on the back foot. At a press conference held by Ukip, Carswell said he had "had more sleepless nights than you can possibly imagine. "I happen to like David Cameron… [...]
Heart disease to cost UK £18.4bn by 2020 August 28, 2014 In less than six years heart disease will cost the UK €23.1bn (£18.4bn), according to the Centre for Economic and Business Research. The UK will be one of the hardest hit countries in Western Europe by cardiovascular disease, the figures suggest, with only Germany estimated to spend more. By 2020, direct and indirect [...]
Strictly Come Dancing vs The X Factor – who wins in the battle of the ratings (and how have they fared in the past five years)? August 28, 2014 The launch of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing will go head-to-head with an audition episode of ITV's The X Factor next month – but which show is mostly likely to win the ratings war? A few years ago, the smart money would have been on the Simon Cowell behemoth, which at one point looked like [...]
Scottish broadcaster STV doubles dividend as it reduces debt August 28, 2014 Scottish broadcaster and production company STV is doubling its interim dividend to 2p a share after first half operating profit swelled by 20 per cent to nearly £10m. Revenues at the business, which airs The X Factor and soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street north of the border as well as producing series including Catchphrase, climbed [...]
