Bercow vows ‘creativity’ to stop Johnson dodging Brexit delay September 13, 2019 John Bercow has vowed to use “creativity” to prevent Prime Minister Boris Johnson from ignoring a law designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Under a new law passed before the suspension of parliament, Johnson must seek a delay to the 31 October Brexit deadline if he does not secure parliament’s approval for an exit agreement. [...]
DUP denies it would soften position on Irish backstop September 13, 2019 The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has denied reports it would accept some EU regulations after Brexit as part of a new deal to replace the backstop. The Times reported that the DUP was prepared to “shift its red lines” by accepting some EU rules and dropping its objections to regulatory checks in the Irish Sea. [...]
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin slams ‘elite Remainers’ as profit sinks September 13, 2019 Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has launched a tirade against “elite Remainers”, as the budget pub chain posted a decline in pre-tax profit for the full-year. Read more: Propping up the bar: Wetherspoons toasts no-deal Brexit by slashing the price of a pint The figures Wetherspoons posted a 6.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in [...]
SSE sells energy services business to Ovo in £500m deal September 13, 2019 SSE has sold its energy services business to Ovo Energy in a deal worth £500m, creating one of the UK’s largest power suppliers and a new rival to British Gas. Read more: SSE in talks to sell energy retail business to Ovo energy The Big Six energy supplier today said it had agreed to offload [...]
Nationwide reveals PPI hit of up to £50m as it becomes latest victim of claims rush September 13, 2019 Nationwide has become the latest company to reveal a hefty charge for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) amid a surge in last-minute claims. Read more: N Brown shares drop after it reveals £20m to £30m PPI provision The building society today said it has set aside a provision of between £20m and £50m, in addition [...]
Battersea Power Station secures £600m funding for regeneration project September 12, 2019 Battersea Power Station has secured a £600m debt facility from its existing lenders to help finance the third phase of its redevelopment plan. The developer behind the project said it had agreed the funding with a consortium of financial institutions led by Standard Chartered. Read more: Battersea Power Station opens Coaling Jetty to the public [...]
Marketers set to double down on digital advertising despite measurement issues September 12, 2019 Global marketers are set to ramp up their investment in digital advertising next year, despite ongoing concerns about effective measurement of campaigns. Roughly 84 per cent of marketers plan to increase their investment in online video ads, while 70 per cent will ramp up spend on social media networks, according to a study published by [...]
Iconic Labs buys stake in student news website The Tab September 12, 2019 Iconic Labs has bought an indirect stake in student publishing company The Tab, marking the latest move in the media firm’s aggressive acquisition spree. Iconic Labs has secured a 24 per cent stake in media investment vehicle Medium Channel Media (MCM), which in turn has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire The Tab. Read [...]
Shares in Angry Birds maker Rovio crash as it lowers outlook September 12, 2019 Shares in the company behind hit video game Angry Birds dropped more than 20 per cent this morning after it lowered its revenue forecast for the full year. Read more: Angry Birds maker Rovio predicts bumper 2019 despite halved profits Rovio said it now expected to post revenue of between €295m (£264m) and €310m, down [...]
Share boost for audio firm Focusrite as it dials up revenue forecast September 12, 2019 Shares in audio equipment manufacturer Focusrite rose more than six per cent this morning after it forecast full-year revenue ahead of expectations. Read more: Audioboom posts revenue surge as it doubles down on original podcasts Focusrite, which makes studio equipment such as microphones and equalisers, said it expected revenue of roughly £84m, up from £75.1m [...]
