BBC ‘faces existential threat’ as it slashes 450 jobs January 29, 2020 The BBC has been warned it is facing an “existential threat” after the broadcaster announced it will cut roughly 450 jobs. The corporation today said it will slash the roles from its news output as it looks to save £80m by 2022 and counteract declining viewing figures. The cuts are set to impact Newsnight, which [...]
Guardian goes green as it bans advertising from fossil fuel firms January 29, 2020 The Guardian will no longer accept advertising from oil and gas companies as the media group looks to cut its links with fossil fuel firms. The move, announced today, will apply across the publisher’s websites and apps, as well as in print copies of the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Weekly. “Our decision is based on [...]
Stubhub hit with legal threat over ‘misleading’ ticket sales January 29, 2020 Stubhub is facing legal action from the competition regulator over claims the ticket reseller misled customers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a wider crackdown on the secondary ticket market amid concerns many websites are a hotbed for ticket touts. But the regulator said it was concerned that Stubhub was not complying with [...]
Tech giants urged to pick up VAT bills in fraud crackdown January 29, 2020 Online marketplaces such as Amazon and Ebay have been urged to take responsibility for VAT collection and remittance in the UK. Trade body the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) today called on the government to make tech firms liable for the goods tax, citing concerns about growing fraud. HMRC has estimated that VAT fraud by [...]
UK’s botched £46m Brexit ad campaign ‘had little impact’ January 28, 2020 Boris Johnson’s aborted ad campaign urging people and businesses to prepare for Brexit did not have a “significant” impact, according to the public spending watchdog. The government originally pledged £100m for its ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ campaign, promising an advertising blitz across billboards, TV and radio ahead of the 31 October deadline. But the campaign [...]
Rupert Murdoch’s News UK confirms launch of Times Radio January 28, 2020 News UK today confirmed plans to launch a new talk radio station aimed at winning over listeners from the BBC’s ailing Radio 4. Times Radio, which will be advert-free, will launch later this year on DAB and online, as well as through an app and smart speakers. The media group said its new venture will [...]
UK businesses breathe sigh of relief as Huawei gets the green light January 28, 2020 UK businesses today welcomed the decision to allow Huawei a limited role in the country’s 5G networks, hailing a “sensible compromise” to the fraught row over national security. In a long-awaited ruling, the government said the Chinese tech firm, which has been classed a “high-risk vendor”, will be allowed to build non-core parts of the [...]
Huawei 5G verdict Q&A: All of your questions answered January 28, 2020 Boris Johnson today issued his verdict on Huawei, ruling that the Chinese tech firm will be granted a role in building the UK’s 5G network. A long-awaited government ruling said the controversial company, which is classed as a high-risk vendor, will be allowed to build non-core parts of the next-generation mobile system. However, Huawei will [...]
Electric avenue: E-scooters to get green light for road use January 28, 2020 Eco-conscious commuters are set for a welcome boost to their journey under plans to legalise the use of electric scooters on roads and cycle lanes. The government is expected to launch a consultation next month on how to regulate the speedy scooters and ensure safety, the Times reported. This will be followed with trials in [...]
Government hints at tax breaks in boost for news publishers January 27, 2020 The government has hinted that it will consider a range of potential tax breaks for news publishers, marking a much-needed boost for the industry amid tough competition from tech giants. A major review into the future of UK journalism funding last year set out a number of recommendations to help level the playing field and [...]
