Ukip viewed as “racist” and “nasty” by 44pc of voters February 27, 2015 As Ukip meets for its spring conference in Margate the pollsters have both good and bad news for Nigel Farage's party. Ukip will be pleased to hear that over a third of the public trust them more than any other party to handle immigration. Never before in British politics has one of the minor parties [...]
Is France U-turning on the most controversial part of TTIP? February 27, 2015 France in the midst of an intense political battle over the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The proposed free trade deal between the US and the EU has been dogged by controversy, especially over the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). The ISDS is a mechanism that sets the ground rules for foreign [...]
What is the likelihood of Brexit? 17 per cent according to top think tank February 27, 2015 One of Britain's leading think tanks has revealed its preidction of the likelihood a British exit from the EU. Open Europe, which launched its "Brexit barometer" last night, estimated Britain had a 17 per cent chance of leaving the EU. The estimate will dash the hopes of Eurosceptics who are banking on public dissatisfaction with [...]
Lloyds share price edges up as it resumes dividend payments for the first time in six years February 27, 2015 The figures Shares in Lloyds Banking Group edged up just under two per cent this morning, after it announced it will start paying dividends for the first time since the financial crisis began back in 2008. The part state-owned bank reported profits before tax of £1.7bn – significantly up from last year's £415m. Dividend payments [...]
Expert economists give their verdict on whether Greece should default February 26, 2015 Debates over Greece's finances continue to drag on with MPs from Angela Merkel's party voting to back the extension of the bailout to the beleaguered economy. The EU wants the programme, which was dues to expire on 28 February, extended until June. A host of reforms outlined by Greece was approved by Eurozone finance ministers [...]
Celebrity historians launch campaign for EU referendum and claim there is no “European Demos” February 26, 2015 Some of Britain's leading historians have pledged their support for a new campaign to fight for a referendum on Britain's EU membership. Historians for Britain (HfB) is the sister organisation of Business for Britain (BfB), led by the distinguished campaigner Matthew Elliot. While BfB has sought to make the case for a different relationship with [...]
Ladbrokes announces 60 betting shop closures as profits drop February 26, 2015 The figures Ladbrokes has reported a fall in profit before tax of 13.5 per cent to £98m. Revenue grew 3.8 per cent to £1.1bn while dividend per share remained at 8.9p. Why it's interesting Ladbrokes has been having a tough time of late. Regulatory and tax pressures have forced the bookies to close net 150 [...]
RBS names Sir Howard Davies chairman and reports £3.5bn loss February 26, 2015 The figures RBS has reported a full-year attributable loss of £3.5bn thanks largely to one-off items including a £4bn fair-value adjustment. The bank has also named Sir Howard Davies as its new chairman, succeeding Philip Hampton who will step down with effect from 31 August. RBS's operating profit also came to £3.5bn. The bank's Common Equity [...]
Emma Thompson’s husband refuses to pay tax until HSBC staff are put in prison February 25, 2015 Oscar-winning, actress Emma Thompson, will refuse to pay any tax until those involved in the HSBC tax evasion scandal are put in prison. Thompson's husband and fellow actor Greg Wise told the Evening Standard that he and his wife would stop giving money to HMRC until "everyone pays tax". Wise trumpeted his commitment to socialism [...]
Sisters launch UK’s first bespoke vaping bar in London’s West End February 25, 2015 Things have come a long way since the cigarette cafe culture of Soho and Paris. Two sisters, both ex-lawyers, have set-up the UK's first high-end vaping bar. The Avant Garde Bespoke Vaping bar was launched in London's West End by Sadia Tanvir-Navaab and Almas Tanvir-Khan to cater to Britain's fast growing number of vapers. The [...]
