Sunak to crack down on ‘unacceptable’ targeting of young people by vape market May 30, 2023 A new Government crackdown on vape marketing will prevent the “unacceptable” targeting of children and young people, Rishi Sunak has said. Ministers have pledged to close a loophole allowing retailers to give free samples of vapes to children in England, amid concerns over the proportion of children trying e-cigarettes. The move comes days after the [...]
Covid inquiry legal battle looms for ministers over Boris Johnson WhatsApp requests May 30, 2023 Ministers could be set for a legal battle with the Covid-19 inquiry over the requested release of unredacted WhatsApp messages and diaries belonging to Boris Johnson. The Cabinet Office has until 4pm on Tuesday to respond to the request from Lady Hallett’s official inquiry. There has so far been little sign that ministers are set [...]
Home REIT investigation: investment manager passed over ‘innacurate’ ESG info and had ‘undisclosed’ conflicts of interest May 30, 2023 The former investment manager of scandal-hit property firm Home REIT passed over “inaccurate” information to an ESG inspector and certain top figures had “undisclosed potential business interests” with third parties, a damning internal report has revealed today.
Issa Brothers double-up Asda and EG Group to create forecourts giant May 30, 2023 Asda has confirmed plans to acquire the UK and Ireland division of petrol giant EG in a deal that will create a UK consumer giant with £30bn-worth of revenues a year. The supermarket, which is headed by the billionaire Issa brothers, has purchased the brothers’ other business, the EG Group, for £2.27bn. Asda is now [...]
Ukraine launches biggest ever drone raid on Moscow in Kyiv retaliation May 30, 2023 Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks on Moscow on Tuesday, according to Russia, whose defence ministry said all were destroyed approaching the city. There were no reports of deaths. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two people were injured, one of whom was hospitalised, in the early morning attack. The residents of several parts [...]
Brits put recession fears aside to bowl strikes at ten-pin operator May 30, 2023 Hollywood Bowl reported record revenues of £110.2m in its half year results this morning, up 20.7 per cent on 2022 amid strong sales, and said it would continue to eye expanding its UK estate and leisure centres. However, the bowling operator reported a drop in its pre-tax profits to £26.7m for the six months to [...]
Property fintech LendInvest sells £243m buy-to-let mortgage portfolio following financing deals May 30, 2023 London-listed property fintech LendInvest confirmed the sale of a £243m buy-to-let mortgage portfolio to digital bank Chetwood Financial. The portfolio includes mortgages originated between 1 March 2022 and 30 November 2022 during which time interest rate hikes reduced the profitability of the mortgages. LendInvest will take a £10.5m loss on the sale which will be [...]
Unilever CFO departs ahead of new CEO’s arrival May 30, 2023 Unilever has announced a shake up at the top with both its chief financial officer and chief digital and commercial officer departing their roles just weeks before new CEO Hein Schumacher takes the reins. Graeme Pitkethly, who headed the consumer goods giant’s finances, is retiring after 21 year at the business. He will retire from [...]
Former Pru CEO and board veteran Jonathan Bloomer to become chair of Hiscox May 30, 2023 Jonathan Bloomer, the current chair of Morgan Stanley International and law firm DWF, will add the top boardroom chair at Hiscox to his portfolio next month. Hiscox, the Bermuda-headquartered insurance giant, announced Bloomer’s appointment as chair designate this morning. He will replace Robert Childs, who will retire over the summer. Bloomer was a partner at [...]
Police Scotland wants to teach the Met a lesson in understanding its racist cops May 30, 2023 The outgoing boss of the Police Scotland has labelled the force ‘institutionally racist’, but the Met police won’t admit the same failing, writes Eliot Wilson