Ministry of Justice to close 10 London courts, including Richmond-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court and Hammersmith County Court, by 2017 as it shuts a total of 86 across the country February 11, 2016 Just shy of 90 underused courts will close across the country, including 10 in London, following the conclusion of a Ministry of Justice consultation today. The Ministry originally opened a consultation on the provision of court and tribunal estate last July to review the fate of 91 courts and tribunals. It considered over 2,000 responses [...]
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) date confirmed – but why are financial institutions doing more and achieving less? February 11, 2016 After waiting and wondering, financial institutions finally have a firm date of 3 January 2018 for Markets in Financial Instruments Directive – also known as MiFID II – compliance. Whether this extended deadline provides firms with sufficient time to get their houses in order is debatable, but one thing is certain, huge amounts of money have already been spent on regulation. [...]
The customer is always right: Sales staff frequently missing the mark on customer expectations, by not listening and not asking enough insightful questions February 11, 2016 Salespeople regularly fall short of customer expectations, failing to measure up to their requirements, such as listening to what they actually want, a survey released today has found. According to the survey conducted by Huthwaite International, 85 per cent of people believe that salespeople should listen carefully to them to make sure they getting what they want, but only [...]
Google UK tax: Public Accounts Committee grilled Matt Brittin and HMRC over so-called sweetheart tax deal, as the tech giant argues that it pays a 19 per cent corporation tax rate on average worldwide February 11, 2016 Representatives from Google have defended the technology company's various subsidiaries in so-called tax havens in a hearing with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), pointing out that the company paid corporation tax at an average rate of 19 per cent worldwide. Matt Brittin, president of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa, remarked that having a branch in Bermuda, despite the company having [...]
Henderson Group share price falls despite investment company reporting record net inflows and double digit underlying profit growth for its full-year 2015 results February 11, 2016 Share price in Henderson Group fell today despite the company posting record net inflows and a boost to its profits in its full-year results. The investment management company reported net inflows of £8.5bn for its year ended December 2015, up from last year's £7.1bn, and an underlying profit before tax from continuing operations of £220m, [...]
Zurich Insurance Group share price plummets after posting s a “disappointing result” for 2015 and earlier Storm Frank warning February 11, 2016 Shares in Zurich Insurance Group dropped this morning after the company posted a "disappointing result" for its full-year ending December 2015. The insurer reported a business operating profit of $2.9bn (£2bn) for the year, down 37 per cent from $4.6bn the year before, and a net income attributable to shareholders of $1.8bn, down 53 per cent from [...]
Google UK tax row: If the Public Accounts Committee mistakenly equate Google’s profits to its sales when discussing corporate tax deals today, they’ll be heading down a blind alley February 11, 2016 When the Public Accounts Committee grills Google and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) chiefs today, we may hear repetition of the claim that the technology giant is only paying a three per cent corporation tax rate compared to the 20 per cent everyone else pays. The MPs could do themselves a favour by not going down this blind [...]
Google UK tax row: Here’s what you need to know ahead of tomorrow’s Public Accounts Committee hearing on corporate tax deals February 10, 2016 At 10am tomorrow, representatives from Google and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will face the unenviable task of talking tax deals with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Before it kicks off, here's our quick guide of what you need to know: HMRC I understand, but why are Google being brought in on this? The PAC undoubtedly [...]
London weather: Thames Barrier closes for first time this year as spring tides loom just after Storm Imogen brought heavy rainfall and wind to the south of England February 10, 2016 It's official: it's been raining in London. The Environment Agency announced this morning that it has shut the Thames Barrier, a 520m moveable barrier in east London, for the first time this winter. "We are closing the barrier to protect London from the threat of flooding due to the high level of rain last week combined [...]
Flood Re publishes plan explaining how it will lower premiums for home insurance customers in high-risk areas beyond 2039 February 10, 2016 Flood Re has today published a transition plan detailing how it will help home insurance customers in flood-risk areas get a better deal once the scheme expires in 2039. Flood Re, which is due to start operating in April and could benefit up to 350,000 homes, has outlined how it will use the data it [...]
