How Lord Bell crashed Indie ball June 14, 2012 AHEALTHY crowd gathered at the Phillips de Pury auction house last month to support the efforts of the Lebedevs in raising funds for their Journalism Foundation, an institution designed to promote ethical journalism around the globe. Given the sway that Foundation chief and former Independent editor Simon Kelner has in the media and show business [...]
Straits lead the way in cancer gig June 14, 2012 FORMER members of Dire Straits are opening a charity concert in support of the Sarah Greene Breakthrough Tribute at the O2 Empire at Shepherd’s Bush next Thursday. Three of the seven band members have played, recorded or worked with many artists such as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Cher, James Morrison and Enrique Iglesias. The band [...]
A post-tsunami boost drives up cars made in UK June 14, 2012 CAR PRODUCTION in Britain hit an eight-year high last month, industry figures revealed yesterday, as booming exports boosted the industry. Automotive plants manufactured 141,146 cars in May, which is the highest monthly level since 2004 according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That represents growth of 42.2 per cent compared [...]
50-year-olds need to double pension pots to avoid poverty June 14, 2012 THE AVERAGE 50-year-old Briton risks slipping into poverty in old age unless they double their pension pot, research out today claims. A study by insurer MetLife shows that a typical 50-year-old has saved £54,300 for retirement. But to get to a yearly income above the poverty line of £14,400 including state pension payments, the average [...]
Clive Maxwell to take top job at the new competition regulator June 14, 2012 THE MERGER of the Competition Commission and parts of the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) into the new Competition and Markets Authority will be managed by senior OFT official Clive Maxwell, the government said yesterday. The career civil servant has spent the last three years at the regulator, where he worked on deals including the [...]
CITY VIEWS | ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR PENSION? June 14, 2012 RAJ SINGHAL LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I should be concerned but I have not done anything about it. My long-term plan is not to be a pensioner in this country but to live in another country, and to reduce the cost of living. CONSTANCE BRIGHOUSE KROLL I am definitely worried about it. Raising the pension [...]
UK real incomes fall at quickest rate in 30 years June 14, 2012 THE AVERAGE UK income fell at the fastest rate since 1981 last year as inflation eroded real earnings, according to statistics out yesterday. The median income fell 3.1 per cent to £419 a week after inflation and before housing costs, according to the Department of Work and Pensions. The drop in 2010-11 compares with slow [...]
Britain booms as popular tourist destination June 14, 2012 HUNDREDS of thousands more tourists came to Britain in the three months to April 2012 than 2011, despite the Royal Wedding in Easter 2011, official data showed yesterday. Overseas residents made 6.99m visits to the UK, up five per cent from 6.684m a year ago. The vast majority came from other European countries – 5.49m, [...]
Atkins eyes overseas growth as UK wavers June 14, 2012 DESIGN and engineering group WS Atkins is looking to expand further abroad to offset a slide in UK revenues. Atkins, whose projects include the Olympic Games site and widening the M25, reported a 1.1 per cent fall in full year pre-tax profits to £101.6m yesterday, excluding a gain from changes to its pension pot. UK [...]
ANALYST VIEWS | HOW WELL IS ATKINS PERFORMING? June 14, 2012 CHRIS BAMBERRY PEEL HUNT Atkins delivered a solid set of prelims, slightly ahead of our expectations. With the UK and US having stabilised…and 60pc of forecast revenue secured, we have increased confidence in our 2013 forecasts. JOE BRENT LIBERUM Full year results are slightly ahead. Net cash in line. Headcount up and work-in hand up. [...]
