Brexit: City’s top man says firms grew ‘complacent’ prior to split from EU February 21, 2023 The Lord Mayor has said British businesses got “complacent” prior to Brexit – and will now need to work harder to develop relationships across the world. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of a trip to Australia this week, Nicholas Lyons said there would need to be an “enormous step up from [...]
Elizabeth Line: Almost half of Londoners have used the new route since May 2022 February 20, 2023 Nearly half of Londoners have used the Elizabeth line since it opened in May 2022, a new survey suggests. The results of a YouGov poll shared with the PA news agency indicate 45 per cent of the capital’s residents have made at least one journey on the £19 billion railway. That is up from 24% [...]
Supermarket wars: Morrisons puts £25m into price cuts in bid to break back into ‘big four’ February 20, 2023 Morrisons is cutting prices across a range of its own-brand products as it joins a string of supermarkets battling to retain customers while living costs soar. The supermarket, which was recently pushed out of the “big four” UK grocers by discounter Aldi, said it has invested £25 million into the price cuts. Some 64 cupboard [...]
Liberty Steel in rescue deal for collapsed Aartee after tycoon Sanjeev Gupta steps in February 17, 2023 Collapsed steel firm Aartee Bright Bar is set to be merged with Liberty Steel Group after steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta stepped in to take over the business. GFG Alliance, owned by Mr Gupta and his family, has bought Aartee and filed an application to challenge the administration, it revealed on Friday. The rescue deal comes [...]
End of cash… and cards? Barclays says record 91 per cent of transactions were contactless last year February 17, 2023 Just over nine in 10 (91.2 per cent ) card transactions made last year where paying by contactless would have been an option did use this technology, according to data from Barclays. The bank said this is the highest proportion it has seen, with 85.6 per cent of eligible card transactions being contactless in 2021. [...]
Ulez expansion: Five Tory councils launch legal challenge against Sadiq Khan’s plan February 17, 2023 Five Conservative-led councils said they have started a legal challenge over Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand London’s ultra low emission zone (Ulez). The outer London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow and Hillingdon, together with Surrey County Council, issued a joint statement announcing they have launched a judicial review into the Labour mayor’s plan. A spokesman [...]
Brexit: Sunak holding urgent talks with Northern Ireland’s leaders amid speculation protocol deal is close February 17, 2023 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is holding talks with Stormont leaders as speculation mounts that a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol could be close. Sunak and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris are meeting the politicians near Belfast to discuss the contentious post-Brexit trading arrangements. Following his visit to Northern Ireland, Sunak is set to join [...]
Wagamama owner has ‘little hope for future’ activist shareholder says, urging major strategy overhaul February 16, 2023 Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group has shown “little hope for the future” and is in need of a strategy overhaul, an activist shareholder has urged. Oasis Management, a hedge fund which holds a 6.5 per cent stake in the company, called on the hospitality firm to “re-align its priorities” and take immediate steps to restore [...]
Network Rail hits back at ‘regretful’ RMT claim linking modernisation proposals to tragedy February 16, 2023 Network Rail’s plans to modernise maintenance will improve safety for workers, as it hit out at the RMT union for its “regretful” linking of proposals to a tragedy almost 20 years ago. NR strongly denied claims by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union that it had a cost-cutting agenda, as its boss Mick Lynch invoked [...]
Aldi to create more than 6,000 jobs across UK this year February 16, 2023 Supermarket chain Aldi is to create more than 6,000 jobs across the UK this year. The company, which has more than 990 stores and employs around 40,000 workers, said it plans to continue to expand throughout 2023. New stores will open in towns and cities including Norwich, Huddersfield and Shrewsbury. Aldi recently increased pay rates for around 7,000 [...]
