EU joins UK in rolling out sweeping new fines for tech giants December 15, 2020 US tech giants could face fines of up to 10 per cent of their revenue under new draft EU rules set to be unveiled today. The regulations, the most serious attempt at reining it companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple yet made by the bloc, come amid intense worldwide scrutiny on the role [...]
FTSE 100 lags but pound jumps as markets weigh Brexit latest December 14, 2020 The FTSE 100 lagged behind its European peers as the pound rose the most in nearly two months after the UK and EU agreed to extend post-Brexit trade talks. Elsewhere, stocks climbed strongly amid signs of progress in US stimulus talks, and as the country prepared to roll out the first coronavirus vaccines. London’s main [...]
Government enters funding talks with EDF over Sizewell C nuclear plant December 14, 2020 The government has today confirmed that it has entered talks with EDF over funding options for the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk. The announcement, which came as ministers unveiled the long-awaited energy white paper, could see the government take a financial stake in the project. It comes after months of uncertainty regarding the [...]
Capita sells edtech business to Montagu for £400m December 14, 2020 Capita today announced that it has sold its Education Software Solutions (ESS) business to private equity firm Montagu for £400m. The announcement comes a few weeks after the FTSE 250 firm confirmed that it was in exclusive talks with the financiers. Shares in Capita rose 3.5 per cent on the back of today’s announcement, which [...]
Unilever to put climate plan to shareholder vote December 14, 2020 Unilever will put its climate action transition plan to a shareholder vote, the consumer goods giant announced today, the first global firm to take such a step. The company has set a number of ambitious targets for reducing its emissions over the next two decades, including a commitment to be net zero from sourcing to [...]
GPs to begin offering coronavirus vaccines from today December 14, 2020 GPs across England will begin administering coronavirus vaccinations today as the next stage of the vaccine rollout gets under way. The NHS said that GP surgeries in 100 locations would receive doses of the vaccine today, with some expected to begin inoculations this afternoon. A majority, however, are expected to begin offering the treatment from [...]
McLaren sells minority stake in F1 team to MSP Sports Capital December 13, 2020 McLaren has sold a 33 per cent stake in its F1 team to US-based MSP Sports Capital as part of attempts to raise extra cash amid the coronavirus pandemic. The sports investment group will pay £185m for its share of McLaren Racing, valuing the team at £560m. It comes just days after the supercar maker [...]
Households could be automatically switched to cheaper energy tariffs December 13, 2020 Households could find themselves automatically switched onto cheaper energy tariffs under new government plans set to be released this week. The proposal is an attempt to crack down on energy suppliers which move customers onto higher “default” deals after their initial contracts end. The BBC reported that the plan would be unveiled as part of [...]
The week ahead, 14-18 December: Shaftesbury, SSP, Petrofac, and interest rates December 13, 2020 All eyes will be fixed firmly on Brussels this week, as businesses across the country hold their breath to see if the UK can finally reach a deal with the EU. With markets on edge as they await the outcome of the talks, there’s little to distract traders, with only a handful of firms reporting [...]
Accountants BDO to pay back millions in furlough cash after payout outcry December 13, 2020 Accountants BDO will return £4.1m in furlough cash after being subject to a barrage of criticism for paying out hefty profits to its partners. The Sunday Times reported that the company, which is one of the UK’s biggest accounting firms, would give back the money after paying its partners an average of £500,000. Managing partner [...]
