Sad news: Boaty McBoatface has a name and it’s not Boaty McBoatface May 6, 2016 Alas, alack: Boaty McBoatface is no longer. Well, sort of. After many hours of fevered hand-wringing, not to mention the launch of a government inquiry, science minister Jo Johnson (and, of course, Boris Johnson's brother) has turned his nose up at the result of Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) much-maligned "Name Our Ship" vote. Today he confirmed his [...]
Oxford and Cambridge slip down the world’s university rankings – as two red-bricks drop out of the 100 May 5, 2016 As students prepare to get stuck into their A-Levels, the Times Higher Education has published its annual ranking of the world's universities. The good news is that UK universities make up 10 per cent of the world's 100 highest-ranked institutions. The bad news? We've lost two from the top 100 – while our top two have slipped down. [...]
Sweet: Hotel Chocolat just priced its IPO May 5, 2016 It's a sweet day if you're into equities, for Hotel Chocolat – the upmarket confectioner whose offerings include a £100 box of chocolates – has unveiled the pricing of its IPO. The retailer, which announced its plans to float on Aim back in March, said today it expects to be valued at £167m once it lists – [...]
Barclays’ plans to offload 12 per cent of its Africa business won’t affect talks with former chief executive Bob Diamond May 4, 2016 Barclays' plans to sell off a 12 per cent stake of its African business has not derailed talks between the bank and it's former chief executive Bob Diamond, City A.M. understands. "It doesn’t make the slightest jot of difference," a source with knowledge of the early-stage negotiations told City A.M. Atlas Merchant Capital, the US-based arm of Bob Diamond's banking investment [...]
More mortgage madness as Virgin Money lending leaps – but share price goes into a spin May 4, 2016 NULL
Playing this smartphone game could help scientists spot the warning signs of dementia May 4, 2016 Could a mobile app named Sea Hero Quest help scientists spot the warning signs of dementia? Scientists at University College London (UCL) believe it could – and they want you to take part in their study. Researchers at UCL developed the game, in which users navigate a ship through "Arctic rivers and the glorious Golden [...]
Barclays has just started offering a 100 per cent mortgage (but bank of mum and dad is still required) May 4, 2016 We all know how well 100 per cent mortgages worked before the financial crisis – but now Barclays has become one of the first lenders since the crisis not to require a deposit from first-time buyers. Well, sort of. The lender said it has made changes to one of its first time buyer mortgages which means borrowers [...]
Still undecided on the London mayoral election? Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan interviews – head to head May 4, 2016
City A.M. Unregulated podcast, episode 6: Zac Goldsmith vs Sadiq Khan – Who should have the City’s vote in the London mayoral election? May 4, 2016 From Bollywood blunders to accusations of racism from all sides: no matter whether Zac Goldsmith or Sadiq Khan wins, the next Mayor of London is going to take over after a divisive campaign. Who should the City be voting for? Chewing over the promises from both of London's main candidates, as well as what will dominate in the first [...]
The National Living Wage is having an unexpected effect on salaries, according to this research May 3, 2016 The chancellor's recent decision to hike the National Living Wage may have been widely praised by equality campaigners – but it turns out it could be having an unexpected effect on salaries. Research by CV-Library has suggested the average UK salary for new jobs actually fell in April, when the minimum wage became the National [...]
