Ukip voters most likely to think apocalypse will happen in their lifetime March 10, 2015 Ukip voters are more likely to believe that world as we know it will end in their lifetime than supporters of the mainstream parties, according to a new survey. Almost a third of Ukip voters told polling company YouGov that an apocalyptic disaster will strike in their lifetime. This compares to 23 per cent of [...]
London’s top chefs take aim at EU regulations March 10, 2015 Some of London's top chefs and restaurateurs have spoken out against EU regulations that are being branded a "bureaucratic nightmare". Legendary chefs Albert Roux and Prue Leith are just two of 100 who put their names to a letter, organised by the eurosceptic group Business for Britain (BfB), opposing the EU's Food Information for Consumers [...]
FCA says payday lenders are failing customers after 12 month review March 10, 2015 Many of Britain's payday lenders are failing to treat their customers fairly, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). After a twelve-month review of the sector's regulation that covered 60 per cent of the market, the FCA was left unsatisfied. The regulator said the payday loan industry was still playing host to "unacceptable practices". A [...]
Brexit is biggest risk to financial services and City of London March 10, 2015 The financial services industry is the sector most in danger if Britain pulls out of the EU, a study has suggested. A report by Open Europe examining how the UK's key export sectors would fare after British withdrawal found that while all sectors would face some disruption, a divorce from the EU poses a particular [...]
Prudential share price slides despite profit rise as Tidjane Thiam prepares move to Credit Suisse March 10, 2015 The numbers Prudential has reported a profit before tax of £2.6bn for 2014 – 60 per cent up from the previous year. Operating profit rose 14 per cent to £3.1bn. The company's full year dividend climbed by 10 per cent to 36p per share. The Pru's capital surplus is estimated to stand at £4.7bn. Why it's [...]
G4S share price rises on back of higher profits March 10, 2015 The numbers Outsourcing firm G4S has reported a pre-tax profit of £148m for 2014 – up from a loss of £190m the previous year. Revenue climbed 3.9 per cent to £6.7bn while earnings per share increased to 13.6p from 12.9p. Profit before interest, tax and amortisation was in line with City estimates at £424m – 7.9 [...]
More fun at London Bridge Station during evening rush hour as freight train breaks down March 9, 2015 Evening commuters going via London Bridge during the evening rush hour are set to be hit by more delays as chaos at the station continues into its second week. After crushes at the station on Wednesday, described as "life threatening" by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, commuters were again left stranded after a freight [...]
Venezuela: No hope on the horizon March 9, 2015 In its sixteen years under the Chavista regime, Venezuela never had it worse than it has had in the last three months. For years, stories have circulated about rigged elections, brutal responses to public demonstrations, disregard for the rule of law, and growing poverty and scarcity. However, since the death of Hugo Chavez and the [...]
Argentina turns up the heat on HSBC with demand for £2.3bn of offshore cash March 9, 2015 Argentina is demanding that HSBC repatriate £2.3bn of its clients' money. The bank stands accused of moving the money offshore for tax advantages. The head of Argentina's tax authority, Ricardo Echegaray, claimed HSBC's actions threatened the stability of the Latin American state. Speaking at the Argentine embassy, Echegaray told a host of journalists "HSBC built [...]
Ukip spoof Tory attack ad: Nigel Farage has some fun at Cameron’s expense March 9, 2015 The Tory party has been consistently attacking Ed Miliband over whether Labour will enter into a deal with the SNP if the General Election fails to produce a clear result. There was no let-up in the attack today as the Tories unveiled a new poster produced by advertising agency M&C Saatchi showing Ed Miliband in [...]
