UK narrowly avoids recession as penny pinching Brits help GDP grow 0.1 per cent March 31, 2023 The UK was not formally in a dreaded recession between October and December, with UK GDP increasing slightly by 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the economy marginally improved from an initial estimate of “no growth”. [...]
Keir Starmer’s ban on Jeremy Corbyn has all but guaranteed he’ll win again March 29, 2023 Jeremy Corbyn being banned as a candidate for Labour at the next election is the best campaign footing he could have asked for – as an independent. He won the leadership against the odds in 2015 as an outsider within the party. Now he will be an outcast from Labour, but in reality, he’s still [...]
Twitter shakeup: What features will Elon Musk scrap for users who refuse to pay for a tick? March 28, 2023 Twitter is set to scrap features for users who do not pay a monthly fee for a blue tick verification, according to new rules shared by billionaire owner Elon Musk. Users of the social media platform who want to remain verified can pay up to 11 US dollars (£8.93) a month as part of Mr [...]
Cheers to that! Diageo chief quits after decade at the top, as firm appoints FTSE 100’s tenth woman CEO March 28, 2023 Spirit maker Diageo has announced its chief executive Sir Ivan Menezes is to retire following ten years leading the firm. The London-listed drinks giant will step aside from the firm’s board in June of this year and be replaced by Debra Crew, who is currently its chief operating officer. Meneze joined the firm from the [...]
Succession star Brian Cox opened financial markets at London Stock Exchange March 24, 2023 Succession star Brian Cox swapped TV for LSE this morning, as the actor behind Logan Roy opened the London Stock Exchange. Ahead of the much-vaunted fourth and final season of the show on 27 March, the Scottish actor opened financial markets accompanied by a musical quartet playing the series’ iconic theme tune. Speaking after opening [...]
Russia’s ex PM and President Medvedev threatens to nuke Germany over Putin arrest warrant March 24, 2023 The former President and prime minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev appears to have threatened Germany with a nuclear attack this morning. The controversial politician made the claim on Twitter in response to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, for war crimes. This comes after Germany, which was one [...]
Sharp increase in retail sales amid ‘subdued’ outlook due to inflation – but is there a ‘chink of light’ with Easter holidays? March 24, 2023 British retail sales grew sharply last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, but price increases continue to deliver a “subdued” longer-term outlook. Sales volumes are thought to have increased by 1.2 per cent in February after a rise of 0.9 per cent in January, suggesting the industry is recovering from the pandemic well. Industry figures are [...]
10 construction firms fined £60m for ‘illegally colluding’ to rig contracts including for Selfridges and 135 Bishopsgate March 23, 2023 The UK competition watchdog has fined 10 construction firms a total of almost £60 million for “illegally colluding” to rig bids for contracts. The construction firms have been punished over cartel agreements related to 19 contracts worth over £150 million on both public and private sector contracts. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the [...]
When is the Bank of England interest rate decision and what is going to happen? March 23, 2023 The Bank of England is going to deliver its interest rate decision today against the backdrop of a shock rise in inflation and a now becalmed banking mini-crisis. Before Wednesday’s surprise increase in inflation to 10.4 per cent, there was speculation about whether the Bank’s decision making body, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) would raise [...]
37 per cent of flights delayed last year – but London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports not worst offenders March 22, 2023 More than a third of flights to and from UK airports last year were delayed, new figures show. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said an “unacceptable” 37 per cent of flights were at least 15 minutes late in 2022. That is up from 17 per cent in both of the preceding two years and 25 [...]
