Nationwide profits fall as technology investment cuts into bottom line November 22, 2018 Profits fell by a fifth at Nationwide in its half-year results today, with the building society’s technology investment weighing down earnings. The figures Profit before tax tumbled 17.8 per cent to £516m for the six months to the end of September, compared to the same period in 2017, as it took a £135m charge for asset [...]
October deficit reaches three-year high despite Hammond’s promise to end austerity November 21, 2018 The UK recorded a much larger than predicted deficit for October, according to official data released today, the same month in which the government signalled an end to austerity measures. Public borrowing rose to £8.8bn last month, up from £7.2bn in October last year, amounting to the largest October deficit for three years, according to [...]
Interpol votes against controversial Russian candidate for new leader November 21, 2018 Interpol has rejected a controversial Russian candidate tipped to land the job, electing South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang instead. Alexander Prokopchuk was widely expected to win the election today, but Interpol’s 194 member states picked Kim instead at the international police body’s annual congress in Dubai. Prokopchuk had been accused of abusing Interpol’s arrest warrant system, [...]
Accounting watchdog probes Grant Thornton audit of Patisserie Valerie accounts November 21, 2018 The Financial Reporting Council opened a probe into Grant Thornton’s audit of troubled bakery Patisserie Valerie’s accounts today, looking at financial statements between 2015 and 2017. The FRC also said it is investigating former chief financial officer Chris Marsh’s role in preparing and approving parent company Patisserie Holdings’ financial statements. Marsh was suspended by the [...]
Supreme Court rejects UK government appeal against Brexit reversal case November 20, 2018 The UK’s Supreme Court today rejected the government’s bid to prevent the possibility of its Brexit decision being reversed. The failure of the government’s appeal means the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will go ahead and hear the case of whether Article 50 can be reversed on 27 November. The court will hear the case [...]
PPI claims surge against CYBG to push bank to a £145m loss November 20, 2018 Clydesdale Bank owner CYBG's share price fell more than 13 per cent today as a fresh raft of PPI claims pushed it to a £145m loss in its full-year results. The figures CYBG fell to the £145m loss after taking a £352m hit for PPI costs and £44m for other legacy conduct issues. A Financial Conduct [...]
Train delays: TfL Rail hit with severe delays between Shenfield and Liverpool Street November 20, 2018 Severe delays hit TfL Rail this morning, causing commuters pain just a day after problems at a major London station led to rush hour chaos. Transport for London advised commuters to take an alternative route this morning if possible after a signal failure at Stratford led to severe delays between Shenfield and Liverpool Street. Commuters [...]
Bonmarche maintains dividend despite lower store sales shredding profits in half November 20, 2018 Retailer Bonmarche laid bare its high street struggles today after a recent profit warning, revealing that store sales fell in the first six months to the end of September despite a boost to online income. The figures Revenue came in flat in its half-year results compared to the same period last year at £97.9m. In-store like-for-like sales dropped [...]
CBI prepares to call on MPs to avoid no-deal Brexit ‘wrecking ball’ November 19, 2018 The CBI will call upon MPs today to back the Prime Minister’s draft withdrawal agreement and avoid hitting the British economy with the “wrecking ball” of a no-deal Brexit. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference in front of more than 1,500 business leaders, CBI president John Allan is expected to ask politicians to consider the [...]
Business confidence falls to nine-year low amid political uncertainty over Brexit November 19, 2018 Morale among businesses is at its lowest since the aftermath of the financial crisis, according to a new survey out today. Political uncertainty surrounding Brexit weighed down on hiring and investment plans in the manufacturing and services sectors, data firm IHS Markit’s latest quarterly report found, pushing business confidence down to its lowest level since [...]
