Skills shortage pushing up pay across the City June 16, 2014 HIRING jumped in financial services last month as the economic recovery takes hold in the City, according to figures out today from recruiter Morgan McKinley. But a lack of suitably skilled workers is a problem for businesses who are raising pay to attract the best staff. And the increased competition for talent is also pushing [...]
G7 catching up with emerging markets on business creation June 16, 2014 THE GAP between business creation in the G7 advanced economies and that in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) narrowed in 2013, according to research released today. The net number of new firms in the G7 countries grew by 1.9 per cent last year, while there were 4.9 per cent more in BRICS [...]
Small firms win appeals June 16, 2014 THE NUMBER of small firms appealing banks’ decisions to reject loans jumped 32 per cent in the last year to 3,518, according to a review of the process published today by Professor Russell Griggs. His third annual report found one-third of those firms were given credit after the appeal. The Federation of Small Businesses praised [...]
Footfall slump knocks retailers despite strengthening recovery June 16, 2014 RETAIL footfall dipped slightly during May in comparison to the same month in 2013, with London recording a larger than average drop in shopping traffic. Footfall fell 0.2 per cent across the country, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Springboard – driven down by a 0.9 per cent drop [...]
Scottish independence: Polls narrow yet Scots still lean towards no vote June 16, 2014 Two new opinion polls suggest that Scottish independence has become more likely, as the yes campaign narrows the lead enjoyed by the party in favour of keeping the UK united, Better Together. In ICM’s latest poll, conducted for Scotland on Sunday and released yesterday, the yes campaign enjoyed a two point boost to 36 per [...]
Nick Clegg’s manifesto banks on school reform to win back votes June 16, 2014 LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg will unveil his party’s plan for the 2015 general election this morning, with a manifesto that will focus on education. The deputy prime minister is expected to outline his key commitment to the British public ahead of the election, where he will face a battle to hold on to his [...]
Welsh shale gas could boost UK energy security June 16, 2014 THE UK’S nascent shale gas industry got an extra boost today, after a Welsh Affairs Committee report said the resource “represents an opportunity for Wales” and could help ensure the UK’s energy security. “Gas will continue to play a significant part in the UK’s energy mix for the foreseeable future,” said the report. “In addition [...]
For Samsung Electronics boss Andy Griffiths life’s tough at the top of the tech table June 16, 2014 Samsung Electronics UK’s boss is always seeking innovations Samsung is at a tipping point. Its largest subsidiary, Samsung Electronics, maker of the hit Galaxy range of smartphones which generated total sales of $217bn (£128bn) last year, continues to see its core mobile business weaken, having reported its second straight quarter of declining profits in April. [...]
Gerald Walker’s bikini makes a splash at Women in Banking and Finance Awards June 16, 2014 The bad luck associated with Friday 13th steered clear of The Dorchester for the recent Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF) annual awards – with winners Marion Leslie, a managing director of Thomson Reuters, Helen Cooper, senior manager at KPMG and Citi’s microfinance director Safiye Ozuygun all receiving accolades. Less lucky perhaps was ING’s UK [...]
Ride of the Lions crew feel the pride on Triple Crown charity bike ride June 16, 2014 Cycling from Melbourne to Sydney with the match ball between the Lions’ 2nd and 3rd test matches last year wasn’t quite enough for the team behind Ride of the Lions – the intrepid crew of ex-Lions rugby players wanted to do it again this year (but thankfully in cooler climes). This Friday some 40 riders [...]
