Pubs face inflationary costs of over 10 per cent as bosses call for tax relief February 3, 2022 Pubs are facing inflationary business costs of more than 10 per cent as publicans battle spiralling energy and labour costs. More than two in three pubs told an industry survey they were facing such substantial cost increases. Venues are facing skyrocketing energy bills while a labour crunch has seen wages of bartenders and chefs leap [...]
Nintendo sales and profits slip as demand for Switch consoles dries up February 3, 2022 Nintendo’s sales and profits have slipped, as momentum for its Switch console wanes and it continues to battle a shortage of semiconductor chips. The Japanese gaming giant pulled in £2.3bn in profit in the nine months through December, which dipped 2.5 per cent from the year prior. Nintendo’s sales have continued to sink since [...]
Shell CEO dismisses calls for windfall tax to reduce household energy bills February 3, 2022 Shell's chief executive Ben van Beurden has pushed back against rising calls for a windfall levy to ease the burden on energy consumers.
UK services inflation accelerates at record pace as cost of living squeeze intensifies February 3, 2022 UK businesses are raising prices at the fastest rate on record as Brits prepare for a once-in-a generation cost of living squeeze, reveals a closely watched survey published today. Prices for products produced by services businesses, including pubs, restaurants and bars, rose at the quickest pace since 1996, according to IHS Markit. Soaring raw material [...]
UK gambling regulator clamps down on illegal Facebook lotteries February 3, 2022 The Gambling Commission have shut down hundreds of illegal lotteries operating on Facebook, as the regulator aims to protect vulnerable social media users.
UK unveils cash pot for young space entrepreneurs February 3, 2022 The government has opened the gates to a new cash pot for young space entrepreneurs, ahead of the country’s first-ever launches from UK soil this year. The £50,000 prize money up for grabs will see entrepreneurs between the ages of 11 and 22 present their ideas to a panel of ‘dragons’ from across the UK [...]
Boris Johnson blindsided by DUP suspension of Northern Ireland Protocol checks February 3, 2022 Boris Johnson was blindsided by a move from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to tell officials to stop border checks that are a part of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol, Number 10 has revealed. Johnson’s official spokesman today said Downing Street was not warned by DUP agriculture minister Edwin Poots that he was going to [...]
Bored Ape start-up eyes investment deal with Andreessen Horowitz February 3, 2022 The Bored Ape Yacht Club is reportedly in talks with investment fund Andreessen Horowitz over a funding round which could value it at $5bn.
New Covid-19 vaccine wins regulatory approval in UK February 3, 2022 A new Covid-19 vaccine has been approved by the UK’s medicines watchdog, making it the fifth jab to be authorised for use in the country. The Nuvaxovid vaccine, developed by US biotech firm Novavax, will add another string to the UK’s vaccine bow, with 71 per cent of the population having received at least two [...]
Global travel and tourism industry sees 1,080 deals in 2021 February 3, 2022 Even though it was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, the global travel and tourism industry still managed to grow in 2021. According to GlobalData, a total of 1,080 deals – including M&A, private equity and venture financing – were announced last year, a 1.3 per cent hike on 2020 levels. “Deal activity [...]