General Election 2015: Lib Dems aim for UK economy to lead Europe March 9, 2015 Nick Clegg and Vince Cable will today lay out the Liberal Democrat’s ambition to make Britain Europe’s largest economy over the next 20 years, and explain how they want the country to get there. The deputy prime minister and business secretary will put forward a five point plan that they believe will help the British [...]
General Election TV debates: Ed Miliband ups David Cameron pressure with call for new law March 9, 2015 With lesss than two months until polling day, the row over television leader debates has taken a new turn. It has emerged that the broadcasters may have to give David Cameron his own television slots if he refuses to take part in debates, to comply with strict election rules. Miliband has formally agreed to take [...]
Bankers’ block: The trouble with big trades March 9, 2015 Two banks last week ended up holding stakes in companies they were advising. Why they take the risk? Investment banks came in for a lot of flak over proprietary trading in the boom years – picking investments and trading on their own account. It came to symbolise the accusation of “casino banking”, and banks have [...]
Woodford warns UK investment will wilt in face of EU referendum March 9, 2015 TOP FUND manager Neil Woodford, who invests about £9bn on behalf of UK savers, has warned a UK exit from Europe will stem the tide of international investment into Britain. “The likelihood of a referendum I think will put a brake on external investment, international investment in the UK,” he said in an interview with [...]
Firms accused of failing to be smart with energy bills: Almost half have never switched suppliers March 9, 2015 UK businesses are failing to save money on energy bills by staying with existing power suppliers rather than switching. Almost half, 47 per cent, of businesses have never switched suppliers or tariffs, despite 75 per cent of SMEs, which represents 3.9m businesses, believing they pay too much for their utilities, according to research from energy [...]
Manufacturers ask Osborne for bigger cuts to the cost of energy March 9, 2015 MANUFACTURERS today called on the chancellor to help out with their energy bills and with more advice and support on exporting. Rapid drops in global oil prices have driven down UK energy bills, dragging inflation into negative territory and so putting giving a break to hard-pressed firms and consumers. But in its budget submission, manufacturers’ [...]
First Utility calls on rivals to help customers save March 9, 2015 ENERGY supplier First Utility has challenged its competitors to scrap variable tariffs, and make it easier for customers to switch to cheaper tariffs. The company says more needs to be done to help consumers avoid overpaying on their energy bills. According to First Utility, 70 per cent of Big Six customers are overpaying by an [...]
John Lewis Partnership poised to reduce bonus payout to staff March 9, 2015 THE JOHN Lewis Partnership will this week seek to cut its bonus pot for staff for a second year in a row after the supermarket price war took its toll on sales at its upmarket grocery chain Waitrose. Waitrose has grown sales and market share faster than its traditional supermarket rivals in recent years, thanks [...]
Zegona Communications IPO: Peppa Pig backer Marwyn puts aside £12m for new Aim entry March 9, 2015 Investment fund Marwyn will be the chief investor in Zegona Communications once the company lists on the Alternative Investment Market (Aim), it was revealed yesterday. The fund, which is also a backer of Peppa Pig, will be investing up to £12m in the new company which was set up earlier this month by former executives [...]
Sir Philip Green poised for BHS sell-off March 9, 2015 Update: This deal has now gone through. Read the full details here. Sir Philip Green (pictured above with TV star Holly Willoughby )is understood to be close to agreeing a deal to sell troubled department store chain BHS in a move that would break up his Arcadia empire. American hedge fund Apollo’s retail fund [...]
