Tractors circle Westminster as farmers protest inheritance tax rise November 19, 2024 Thousands of farmers marched on Westminster today in protest against the government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to meet with representatives from the industry after she unveiled plans in the Budget to impose inheritance tax (IHT) on farms worth more than £1m from April 2026. The [...]
Analysts say Frasers ‘was right’ about Mulberry as it faces long road to recovery November 19, 2024 Analysts have painted a grim picture for the future of British luxury fashion brand Mulberry, which announced its half-year results this morning. It implied job cuts with talk of “streamlining” the business, and told markets that retail sales and revenue dropped 17 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. Its share price fell 10 per [...]
Why a 24 per cent drop in insolvencies is not all it seems November 19, 2024 At first glance, the Government’s new figures on insolvencies appear cheery, with the number of companies going bust over the last year down 24 per cent, from 2,293 to 1,747. But analysts have suggested figures may have more to do with falling interest rates than the general health of the economy, in addition to warning [...]
Retailers ‘right’ to warn of Budget job cuts, says Bank of England governor November 19, 2024 The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has said a group of retailers were “right” to warn of sweeping job cuts as a result of Labour’s punishing £40bn tax raid at the Budget. A group of Britain’s biggest supermarkets and retail chains, including Tesco, M&S, Boots and B&Q, wrote to the Chancellor Rachel [...]
FTSE 100 drops as investors flee European stock markets over Russia-Ukraine fears November 19, 2024 Investors fled FTSE 100 stocks and European markets for safe haven assets this morning amid fears of fresh escalation in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Markets were spooked by Vladimir Putin’s move to approve an updated Russian nuclear doctrine, which could pave the way for the Kremlin to consider using nuclear weapons if it is subject [...]
Exclusive: Labour approves Ardian and Saudi swoop for majority stake in Heathrow Airport November 19, 2024 The private equity group Ardian and Saudi Arabia’s £3.3bn deal for a 38 per cent stake in Heathrow Airport has cleared the final hurdle after receiving approval from the Cabinet Office, City AM understands. Whitehall sources confirmed to City AM the deal has been signed off by the government’s Investment and Security Unit (ISU), which [...]
Saudi Arabia: A Unique Travel Experience November 19, 2024 At the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Inside Saudi’s Sir Martyn Lewis stepped onto the Saudi Tourism Authority’s (STA) stand to see just how Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a ‘Must-Visit’ international tourist destination. Having undergone a significant cultural transformation in recent years, the government has committed vast resources to tourism and hospitality. [...]
Cityscape Global 2024: Showcasing Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Opportunities November 19, 2024 Cityscape Global, the world’s largest exhibition for real estate, was bigger than ever this year. Opened by His Excellency Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Riyadh played host to over 400 exhibitors, 200 institutional investors and 500 speakers. New projects and strategic agreements worth over US$51.26 billion were announced in the first [...]
Nestle ramps up cost-cutting by another £2.2bn in overhaul November 19, 2024 KitKat maker Nestle has revealed plans to slash costs by at least another 2.5bn Swiss francs (£2.2bn) and spin off its premium water and drink business as part of a turnaround being led by its new boss. Recently-appointed chief executive Laurent Freixe said the Swiss group will make the mammoth savings by the end of [...]
Lunchtime Tourism: Cannon Street’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it London Stone November 19, 2024 You wouldn’t know it, but London’s heart beats from a small alcove just opposite Cannon Street station. The city’s heart is made of limestone, wrenched from Rutland and its beats are faint. But its power is unmistakable. Passing office workers fear it so much they’re reluctant to even look at it, let alone stand near it. [...]
