Explainer-in-brief: Tax rises? Make it someone else’s problem November 15, 2022 As the Autumn statement looms this week, Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are trying, desperately, to do anything except break the manifesto promise not to raise income tax. But by freezing income tax thresholds people will wind up paying more anyway, without actually having to break the promise. Elsewhere, there were suggestions council tax could [...]
Raab row: Civil servants union boss says bullying concerns exist over ‘dozens of ministers’ November 15, 2022 As Dominic Raab faces allegations of bullying, the head of the civil servants union has raised concerns about “dozens of ministers” conduct. Dave Penman, chair of the FDA union, made his comments on Sky News after reports about Dominic Raab being labelled the ‘incinerator’, and Sir Gavin Williamson also quitting over bullying claims. He said [...]
Ninety One suffers slump in assets as volatility hits November 15, 2022 London-listed asset manager Ninety One said it had suffered an eight per cent slump in its assets in the first six months of the year as its holdings were rocked by rising interest rates and soaring inflation.
UK failing to tackle fraud epidemic, warns National Audit Office November 15, 2022 The UK government lacks a coherent strategy for tackling fraud and has significant gaps in its understanding of the problem, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The situation has seen action taken against fraudsters drop over the past five years, even as the level of fraud across the economy has [...]
Landsec books nearly £200m loss as it shrinks presence in London November 15, 2022 British property investment trust Land Securities, known as Landsec, has booked a nearly £200m loss over the past six months as interest rates sting. It follows a £275m profit in the same period last year, as the company retreats out of London. Landsec, one of the largest office leasers in London, has cut the capital’s [...]
Rishi Sunak commits to warship expansion as war in Ukraine continues November 15, 2022 Rishi Sunak has said that the UK plans to build five more British warships as the war in Ukraine continues to rage on. The Prime Minister is currently attending the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, which has been dominated by talk of Russia’s invasion. Sunak announced that defence manufacturer BAE Systems had been awarded a £4.2bn contract [...]
Wincanton profits hit £28m as firms lean on supply chain specialists November 15, 2022 Logistics firm Wincanton said profits had jumped 2.6 per cent in the first half of the year as it managed to shrug off rising costs and boost revenues.
Workspace says it’s not all doom and gloom for the capital November 15, 2022 Workspace said that despite the “economic doom and gloom”, the capital was still splashing the cash on offices. The London focused flexible working space said profits after interest climbed 33.5 per cent to £29.1m in the half year, driven by a 36.8 per cent (£15.1m) increase in net rental income to £56.1m and ongoing demand [...]
Russia exit drags on Imperial Brands’ profits November 15, 2022 Tobacco giant Imperial Brands reported a sharp fall in profits for the year today following a £463m hit from its exit from Russia earlier in the year.
Defence giant BAE Systems secures £28bn worth of orders so far this year November 15, 2022 BAE Systems, one of the largest defence companies in the UK, has secured £10bn worth of orders in the second half of this year so far. The London-listed defence firm, which builds military-grade jets, submarines and satellites, has kept its guidance in place while many businesses in the UK nudge them lower amid the economic [...]