Output in the UK’s construction industry grew unexpectedly slowly in January February 2, 2017 The pound fell off its highs this morning after figures revealed output in the UK's construction industry had grown unexpectedly slowly in January – suggesting the sector's tentative recovery is swiftly running out of steam. Markit's purchasing managers' index for the construction industry dropped to 52.2 in January, from 54.2 in December and against expectations of 53.8. Any figure [...]
Here’s how much you need to save each month if you want to buy a home in London in the next four years February 2, 2017 If you're a first-time buyer in London hoping to get yourself somewhere to call home in the next four years, look away now – for a new study has suggested the average first-time buyer should be saving £2,300 each month if they want to buy a house in the capital by 2021. Yikes. The National Housing [...]
Podcast: Why virtual reality is about to rock your world February 2, 2017 This week the Unregulated podcast straps a black box to its face and immerses itself in the VR industry. From becoming a part of the Apollo 11 mission to assembling the parts of a human heart, we discover how VR will change the classroom, and office, of the future, how entrepreneurs can tap into opportunities in the field – [...]
Durex owner Reckitt Benckiser is in talks to buy baby formula maker Mead Johnson for $16.7bn February 2, 2017 Reckitt Benckiser (RB), the company behind such household names as Durex, Cillit Bang and Nurofen, is in talks to buy a baby formula manufacturer for $16.7bn (£13.2bn). In a statement this morning, RB said it was in advanced talks with Mead Johnson to buy its shares at $90 each, valuing it at $16.7bn. The company [...]
For that reason, they’re out: Two Dragons are quitting the Den at the end of this series February 1, 2017 Two of Dragons Den's best-loved names will be roaring their last this series, after they announced plans to quit. Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins and Bombay Bicycle Club entrepreneur Sarah Willingham have both said they will step down at the end of the current series. With just four episodes left before the finale on 26 February, that [...]
Apple’s shares have gone bananas on recovering iPhone sales February 1, 2017 Shares in Apple jumped almost six per cent as the market opened in New York this morning, after stellar earnings revealed record iPhone sales. Shares were up 5.7 per cent at $128.23 after figures published last night showed it sold 78.3m iPhones. The figure smashed analysts' expectations of 76m. The Christmas period was seen as crucial for [...]
“You’ve got a lot more bullshit than me, and I have 1,000 bullocks”: Sir Ken Morrison’s best quotes February 1, 2017 Sir Ken Morrison, the legendary chairman of the eponymous supermarket, has died aged 85, the company confirmed today. Known for his outspoken (and sometimes downright abrasive) management style, it wasn't just rank-and-file workers who fell foul of his temper – on one memorable occasion, then-chief executive Dalton Phillips took a very public tongue-lashing, too. From [...]
Legendary Morrisons chairman Sir Ken Morrison has died February 1, 2017 Sir Ken Morrison, who made his father's Morrisons grocery chain into a supermarket giant, has died, the Press Association reported this morning. He passed away aged 85 after a short illness, his family said. Morrison took over his father's Bradford egg and butter stall, turning it into one of the UK's big four supermarkets within [...]
Interest in commercial property from abroad has nosedived since the Brexit vote February 1, 2017 The number of foreign companies looking for commercial property in the UK has fallen 40 per cent since the EU referendum, new research has suggested. Commercial real estate portal Property.Works said while foreign firms accounted for 11.3 per cent of all its searches in the first five months of 2016, that dropped to 6.7 per cent [...]
Severe weather warning for wind in London as forecasters warn of Arctic blast ahead February 1, 2017 Hold onto your hats in the next couple of days: London is about to become blustery, after a severe weather warning was issued for parts of England and Wales, including the capital. The Met Office said a number of "potentially vigorous low pressure systems" were on the way over the next few days, which could [...]
