Twitter goes bonkers over Innocent’s fake conkers drink October 23, 2019 Smoothie maker Innocent, famous for its playful advertising, has been forced to warn people not to eat conkers after putting out an advert for a fake autumnal drink. The company’s promotion of a new range of Innocent nut milks backfired when it included a seasonal addition of conker-based milk, telling customers: “Your taste buds are [...]
CMA fines concrete cartel £36m for pushing up prices for seven years October 23, 2019 A concrete cartel must pay a £36m fine for breaking competition law for almost seven years. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered three firms to cough up after fixing prices between July 2006 to March 2013. Read more: Audit watchdog calls on firms to improve reporting on climate change They also shared the [...]
Boris Johnson to seek general election if EU opts for longer Brexit delay October 23, 2019 Boris Johnson will press for a general election if the EU moves to delay Brexit until 2020, Number 10 has hinted. The Prime Minister was forced to pause his Brexit bill yesterday after MPs rebutted his attempt to get it through parliament in just three days. Read more: Boris Johnson ‘pauses Brexit bill’s passage after [...]
Profit sinks at Premier Inn owner Whitbread as Brexit uncertainty hits hotel demand October 22, 2019 Profit slipped at Premier Inn owner Whitbread in its latest half-year as the company grappled with a weak UK travel market after selling coffee chain Costa to Coca-Cola last year. Read more: Whitbread share price tumbles on Barclays downgrade The figures Pre-tax profit fell 7.1 per cent to £220m, down from £237m this time last [...]
Travis Perkins halts sale of plumbing and heating unit amid ‘unprecedented’ uncertainty October 22, 2019 Travis Perkins has put the sale of its plumbing and heating business on hold due to an “unprecedented level of uncertainty” in the market. The building materials distributor had decided to tell the unit last December in a bid to simplify and cut costs. Read more: Travis Perkins confirms plans to demerge Wickes But the [...]
Canada election: Justin Trudeau forced to form minority government October 22, 2019 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has retained power but must form a minority government after only just winning the Canada election. Trudeau’s Liberal Party must now rely on a smaller left-wing ally to govern after a campaign in which scandals beset the politician, including an old photo in which he wore blackface. Read more: Why [...]
Speaker John Bercow blocks vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal October 21, 2019 Speaker John Bercow has rejected the government’s request for a meaningful vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal today. Bercow denied the government a second vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement after Johnson first put it to parliament in a special sitting on Saturday. Read more: Sterling trades around $1.30 as markets optimistic of [...]
Smith & Nephew CEO to leave after salary spat, hitting share price October 21, 2019 Medical device manufacturer Smith & Nephew’s chief executive has announced his departure “by mutual agreement” with the board amid reports he was unhappy with his pay. Namal Nawana will be replaced by former Roche Diagnostics chief Roland Diggelman after just 18 months in the role, sending shares tumbling eight per cent to 1,683p. Read more: [...]
Speaker Bercow could block Boris Johnson’s bid for Brexit deal vote October 21, 2019 Speaker John Bercow could refuse to grant Boris Johnson a second bite at the cherry today as the Prime Minister attempts to push through a meaningful vote on his Brexit deal. The government has confirmed it will introduce the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – the legislation required to implement the Brexit deal – in today’s Commons [...]
Micro Focus shares sink as Open Text denies it might buy British IT firm October 21, 2019 Micro Focus’ share price fell to a 19-month low today after a potential buyer ruled out an acquisition of the troubled British IT firm. Open Text has flat out denied a Bloomberg report last week that the Canadian firm was weighing up a bid. Read more: Micro Focus overhauls exec pay after shareholder backlash “Open [...]
