Legoland owner Merlin surges back to profit thanks to tourism and staycations June 30, 2023 The return of tourists and families enjoying staycations has propelled sales and earnings for the owner of Legoland and Thorpe Park. Merlin Entertainments, which is one of the world’s biggest operators with more than 140 attractions, theme parks and resorts, said it had millions more visitors last year. The multinational group saw its revenues surge [...]
Kevin Spacey abused fame to become ‘sexual bully’, London court told June 30, 2023 Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey abused his reputation and fame to become a “sexual bully”, a court has heard. The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, is accused of sex offences against four men who “had the misfortune to attract the attention of the predatory” actor, a jury was told. Southwark [...]
Rate pain takes its toll as home sales tumbled almost 30 per cent in May June 30, 2023 Home sales tumbled by 27 per cent in May compared with the same month a year earlier, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures. Across the UK, 80,020 transactions were recorded in May 2023, which was also 3 per cent lower than in April 2023. HMRC’s report said the big fall compared with May [...]
Lord Goldsmith, accused of undermining partygate probe, quits government due to its ‘apathy’ on the environment June 30, 2023 Foreign Office minister Lord Goldsmith has announced his resignation over what he described as Government “apathy” towards the environment. In a scathing letter to the Prime Minister on Friday, the Tory peer accused Rishi Sunak directly of being “simply uninterested” in climate issues. The departure comes just a day after the peer was censured in [...]
Greater investment than predicted as UK economy grows by just 0.1 per cent June 30, 2023 The UK economy grew marginally over the first quarter of the year, driven by increases within the services sector, according to official data. UK gross domestic product (GDP) edged up by 0.1% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The ONS had already indicated growth of 0.1% in May, but on [...]
Government’s Rwanda asylum policy is unlawful, Court of Appeal rules June 29, 2023 Government plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda are unlawful, the Court of Appeal has ruled. In a decision on Thursday, three judges overturned a High Court judgment that previously said the east African nation could be considered a “safe third country”. The Court of Appeal’s decision was announced by the Lord chief justice Lord Burnett during [...]
Moonpig sales boosted by higher prices despite pre-tax profit dip after Royal Mail strikes June 29, 2023 Moonpig Group has revealed a jump in sales as it upped the prices of its greetings cards, but said consumers were buying fewer cards and sending cheaper gifts. The online greetings cards and gifts giant saw its profits decline as it notched up higher costs. It reported a 5.2 per cent increase in its group [...]
Uhoh: Oxford study shows AI really can pick funds better than humans June 29, 2023 An Oxford University study suggests that artificial intelligence and machine learning can pick private equity funds that deliver above-average returns
Square Mile and Me: Allica Bank’s Kate Valdar on start-ups, long lunches and Costa Rica June 29, 2023 Each week we ask the City's movers and shakers to take us through their Square Mile journey. This week it's Kate Valdar - general counsel at SME-focussed Allica Bank - on her musical past, her time at PwC and why Costa Rica is on her bucket list
Thames Water crisis: Government looks to allay fears of potential collapse with nationalisation mooted June 29, 2023 Ministers have looked to allay fears around the impact of Thames Water potentially going under as the regulator vowed to work with the sector to deal with its debt levels. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said there were “contingency plans in place for any eventuality” as Thames Water battles to finance the £14 billion [...]
