Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Entirely reasonable’ for Prime Minister to be distracted by cheese while working from home May 15, 2022 The business secretary has defended Boris Johnson’s remarks that he is distracted by making coffee and “hacking off” cheese when working from home. In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister said his experience of remote working involved a lot of time making coffee, walking to the fridge and “forgetting” the task at [...]
Finland will apply to join NATO next week after Russia warns of ‘retaliatory steps’ May 15, 2022 Finland will apply to join NATO, its president has confirmed, despite Putin warning it would be a “mistake”. Membership of the military alliance will “maximise” Finland’s security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland’s president Sauli Niinisto said. The nation will submit a formal application for membership to NATO headquarters in Brussels next [...]
Boots US owner Walgreens takes out $5.3bn in dividends from UK arm as sales deadline looms May 15, 2022 Boots’ US owner has withdrawn over $5.3bn of dividends from its UK holding firms, even though it received hundreds of millions of pounds of government pandemic support cash. The high street chemist’s UK-based parent company, Superior Holdings, coughed up $4.1bn in dividends to Walgreens last year, in addition to paying out a $909.6m dividend the [...]
Everything for a fiver: Discounted sportswear flies off market stall in Gymshark pop up stunt May 13, 2022 Gymshark’s boss surprised Londoners at a market this afternoon by selling the Gen Z sportswear company’s products at a hefty discount. Long queues were pictured at the Lower Marshes market near Waterloo on Friday afternoon, after leisurewear fans caught wind of the publicity stunt. All products were sold for £5 at the market with Gymshark’s [...]
Crypto winter: Bitcoin in ‘something of a recovery’ amid fears worst yet to come May 13, 2022 Bitcoin has seen “something of a recovery” as cryptocurrency investors have been left counting their losses after a crash this week. Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum hit historic lows on Thursday in a major price meltdown that wiped out previous gains. Over the past week, the price of Bitcoin has plunged more than a fifth [...]
Ex-Morrisons boss appointed CEO of food manufacturer Greencore May 13, 2022 London-listed convenience foods manufacturer Greencore has appointed a a former Morrisons boss as its new chief executive officer. Philips headed grocer Morrisons, now owned by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) between 2010 and 2015. Dalton Philips will join as CEO and executive director on 26 September, stepping into the shoes of [...]
John Lewis boss: Government must help struggling households amid cost of living crisis May 13, 2022 John Lewis chair Dame Sharon White has called on ministers to produce a support package for households struggling with the cost of living squeeze. The government should be helping families in the way it did to steer the country through the Covid pandemic, the retail boss said on ITV’s Peston programme on Wednesday evening. Boris [...]
Slow fashion: Zara introduces return fee as customers ‘count every penny’ May 12, 2022 Zara has started charging customers who return items bought online as fast fashion giants face increasing pressure to reduce unsustainable behaviour. The retailer, owned by the world’s largest fashion company Inditex, has introduced a £1.95 fee for the return of products at third party drop off points. However, customers can still return online orders at [...]
Deliveroo union deal branded ‘desperate attempt for positive PR’ May 12, 2022 Deliveroo has been criticised over a “publicity stunt” union deal, with investors unsure of what the move means for riders’ rights. The union announced on Thursday it was forging a “first of its kind” union recognition deal with GMB union, which has not traditionally been associated with the gig economy. The Independent Workers Union of [...]
Grainger: UK’s largest listed landlord sets aside £9.2m for fire safety remediation May 12, 2022 The UK’s largest listed residential landlord has taken a £9.2m provision to fix historic fire safety defects. The build-to-rent developer was not asked by the government to sign up to the building safety pledge, however reviewed its estate in a similar fashion. Speaking to CityA.M., CEO Helen Gordon said the company had “mirrored” housebuilders and [...]
