Most GPs disagree with the chief medical officer and believe alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle May 24, 2016 Most GPs disagree with the comments made by the UK's chief medical officer (CMO) in January that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, new research shows. The poll, conducted by medeConnect for the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), found 60 per cent of GPs surveyed disagreed with the guidance from CMO Sally Davies, which [...]
Building an economy of the future: Why the Conservative government needs to change its fiscal mandate May 24, 2016 Since the Conservative's won their majority government in 2015, our economy has begun to waver. In the first quarter of this year growth slowed, with construction output falling by 0.9 per cent. The OECD has downgraded forecasts, as has the CBI. In addition, 10-year gilts hit an all-time low in February and foreign investment is collapsing, [...]
One in three people can’t make their pay last the whole month May 24, 2016 If you're already having to eke out the last vestiges of your April payday, you can rest assured you're not alone. Over a third of Britons, 34 per cent, fail to make their paycheck last the whole month, according to a new poll of nearly 1,000 people's spending and saving habits from Wizzcash. One of the major reasons [...]
The power of emotional intelligence: Why AI and robots will never compete with human creativity May 24, 2016 There have been an increasing number of reports about the rapidly developing world of AI, where computers can learn to use big data independently. Most recently, Google yesterday announced it would begin exploring whether automated machines are capable of creativity and producing original artwork and music. Many people's gut reaction to this is that nothing, not even the [...]
The income gap between the richest and poorest Britons remained stubbornly wide last year May 24, 2016 The income inequality gap stayed pretty much flat in 2015, according to data released today by the Office for National Statistics – despite reports suggesting inequality has fallen in recent years. Once the impact of taxes and benefits were taken into account, any changes in the inequality gap were negligible, despite a slight narrowing in gross average incomes. [...]
Is the Stock Spirits activist investor rebellion an omen of things to come? May 24, 2016 The shareholder showdown that has broken out between Stock Spirits and family office Western Gate Private Investments in the last two months may seem unusual from the outside. Western Gate Private Investments, led by Portuguese tycoon Luis Amaral, is an almost 10 per cent shareholder in the European drinks company. It successfully overrode the board to appoint [...]
Warwickshire is surprise entrant in the top 10 European tourist destinations this summer May 24, 2016 It might seem like a left-field candidate, but Warwickshire has been voted one of Europe's top destinations for travellers this summer by Lonely Planet. The West Midlands country earned sixth place in the Best in Europe 2016 list thanks to its breadth of offerings including "bucolic hills, sublime castles and historic market towns". The Bard is [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher says it is still on track with its “ambitious” five-year plan May 24, 2016 DIY retailer Kingfisher posted growth in the majority of its markets in a trading update released this morning and said it was on track to deliver its "ambitious" five-year plan. The figures Total sales rose 5.1 per cent for the group to £2.73bn, including new openings in the three months to April, in line with expectations. [...]
Severn Trent cuts dividend after decline in full-year earnings, but turns the tap on with good customer satisfaction May 24, 2016 Water utility firm Severn Trent reported strong profit before growth and high customer satisfaction levels as it released its full-year results this morning. The figures Severn Trent's turnover dipped 0.8 per cent on the previous year due to a regulated price decrease, reaching £1.79bn in the year to 31 March. The group's underlying profit before tax was [...]
EU referendum: Men, Tories and the elderly could all swing the vote towards Remain May 24, 2016 The vote Remain camp holds a 13-point lead over Leave rivals in the campaign for the upcoming European Union referendum, driven by a support from a majority of men, Conservative voters and the elderly. The ORB poll found 55 per cent of those who definitely plan to vote supported remaining in the EU, while 42 per cent [...]
