Government outlines plans to block ‘foreign influences’ from compromising UK universities June 13, 2022 The UK government is seeking to protect universities from “undue foreign influences that work against British values,” by forcing higher education institutions to report the financial links they have with individuals or organisations from overseas. The new rules, which could be introduced as part of an amendment to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, [...]
Housebuilder Countryside Partnerships hunts for buyers after rejecting £1.5bn bid June 13, 2022 UK housebuilder Countryside Partnerships is on the hunt for buyers, according to a regulatory filing this morning, just weeks after it rejected a $1.9bn (£1.5bn) proposal from US firm Inclusive Capital. “A meaningful number of shareholders believe that the Company would be in a better position to capitalise on the opportunities ahead as a privately-owned [...]
Sirius Real Estate more than doubles rent roll in £380m UK push June 13, 2022 Industrial park and flexible workspace provider Sirius Real Estate has more than doubled its rent roll over the past year, as it continues to push into the UK’s hot property market. Rental income has surged over 73 per cent to €167m in the year to 31 March, up from €96.5m a year prior. Sirius put [...]
Andrew Bailey to face MPs over British Steel pensions scandal with former FCA boss under fire June 13, 2022 BANK of England governor Andrew Bailey will face MPs later today as he faces questions over his then-role at the top of the financial watchdog during the British Steel pension scheme. When Tata Steel — British Steel’s owner — was in financial difficulty in 2017, The Pensions Regulator allowed staff to transfer their pensions out [...]
UK economy shrinks 0.3 per cent amid recession worries June 13, 2022 The UK economy shrank in April, for the second month in a row, amid fears of a recession. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.3 per cent in April, following a 0.1 per cent drop in March, according to figures published by The Office for National Statistics on Monday morning. The drop was fuelled by a [...]
London outpaces UK growth in May but signs of hard times begin to emerge June 13, 2022 LONDON’S businesses outperformed the rest of the UK in May but there are signs staff shortages and inflation are starting to bite, according to a closely-watched business activity index. Natwest’s monthly tracker of both manufacturing and services suggests London’s businesses continued to expand last month but at the slowest rate since the ‘pingdemic’ last year. [...]
Food strategy ‘half baked’ say farmers but producers’ body gives guarded welcome June 13, 2022 THE GOVERNMENT is set to ditch plans to put increased taxes on sugary and salty foods in its food strategy, set to be published today. The strategy will also put in place an independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain, with a lack of workers causing farmers real issues in recent months. [...]
Tech week a chance to celebrate London and the City’s most powerful urge: competition June 13, 2022 It is more than a little tempting to think at the moment that nothing in Britain works very well. Anybody with tickets to the Rolling Stones or the cricket in Headingley next week will face a rail strike, families looking to get away for a well-deserved break will need to carry a week’s supplies just [...]
ATOME appoints engineer to oversee Paraguayan green project June 13, 2022 London-listed Atome Energy (ATOME) has named AECOM as the owner's engineer for its 60 MW renewable project in Paraguay.
Top dining chains see losses swell as inflationary pressures hammer the high street June 13, 2022 The country’s top restaurants have seen losses swell considerably in the past six months, surpassing the £800m mark. According to analysis from accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young, losses at the top 100 restaurants swelled 24 per cent from £673m to £832m in just the past six months shows a new study by UHY Hacker Young, [...]