Explainer-in-brief: The ping-pong of the police and crime bill on protesting March 2, 2022 On Monday, MPs voted in the Commons to reinstate the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, overturning the decision taken in the House of Lords to amend some of the restrictions on protests. The bill aims to give more power to police to quell peaceful protests, for instance if they become too noisy and create [...]
Credit Suisse asks investors to ‘permanently erase’ documents linked to oligarch loans March 2, 2022 Credit Suisse has issued a legal request to investors asking them to “destroy and permanently erase” documents relating to its clients’ private jets and yachts, as it looks to prevent leaks of its dealings with now-sanctioned Russian oligarchs.
Subsidies to Wales have made devolution a begging bowl rather than a point of pride March 2, 2022 Did you raise a toast yesterday to the staff of Gwynedd Council in North Wales? They were enjoying their very own special Bank Holiday to celebrate the day of the patron saint of Wales, St David. Gwynedd council proudly declared in January that it would “grant” this extra holiday. All very well and good, except that [...]
World’s blue-chips ditch Russia as West ramps up efforts to freeze out Moscow March 2, 2022 More of the world’s top companies are pouring out of Russia as the West ramps up efforts to freeze Moscow out of the global economy. Despite the exodus, French energy firm Total bucked the trend by announcing tepid measures today, stating it will keep doing business in Russia, but not invest in new projects. The [...]
Close Brothers Asset Management appoints Standard Life executive as new boss March 2, 2022 Merchant banking group Close Brothers has announced that ex-Standard Life Aberdeen boss Eddy Reynolds will take over as chief executive of its asset management business next week, after boss Martin Brown stepped down.
‘Recommerce’ firm MusicMagpie reports slide in profits as pandemic boom subsides March 2, 2022 Refurbished tech selling platform MusicMagpie reported a slide in profits today after a pandemic-induced boom in demand subsided last year.
Persimmon reaps rewards of climbing house prices as profit and revenue inch higher March 2, 2022 Persimmon pre-tax profit has risen by more than £180m in the past 12 months, as new home completions and average selling prices rise. The housebuilder completed 14,551 homes in the year to 31 December, up from 13,575 in 2020. While the average selling price of homes has also increased by more than £6,500 to £237,078, [...]
Shop price inflation hits highest rate in more than a decade March 2, 2022 Shop price annual inflation surged to the highest rate since November 2011 last month, as households’ concerns about the cost of living increases. The rate hit 1.8 per cent in February, an increase from 1.5 per cent in January, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ. Non-food inflation surged to 1.3 per cent [...]
Just Eat revenue jumps a third as it mulls pulling out of Portugal and Norway March 2, 2022 Just Eat Takeaway.com enjoyed a revenue jump of more than a third in 2021, dwarfing its pandemic figure by some €1.3bn (£1bn). The Amsterdam-based delivery giant pulled in €5.3bn (£4.4bn) in the 12 months, up from €4bn (£3.3bn) in 2020 when it reaped the rewards of homebound consumers itching to eat out under lockdown restrictions. [...]
Hotel Chocolat’s profits surge following brand appeal increase in key markets March 2, 2022 Chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat has registered a surge in profits following a brand appeal increase in key markets like the UK, Japan and the US. In the 26 weeks ended 26 December, the group’s profit before tax was up 56 per cent to £24.1m, while the underlying EBITDA grew 35 per cent, from £24.9m to [...]
