CMA urges action to fix electric vehicle charge point ‘postcode lottery’ July 23, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has today urged the government to accelerate the roll-out of its electric vehicle charging points, describing the current situation as a “postcode lottery”. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it was particularly concerned by the choice and availability of chargepoints at motorway service stations. It also said that the [...]
Global pharma and data firms have had access to NHS patient data for years, analysis finds July 23, 2021 More than 40 pharmaceutical, consultancy and data companies worldwide have access to UK hospital data and medical records, according to new analysis. The detailed medical records – many from the NHS – date back years, the Financial Times first reported. Some companies with access to the records are co-founded by the Sackler family, who have [...]
Worker shortages bite as UK economic recovery stalls in July July 23, 2021 Shortages of workers and raw materials triggered by the “pingdemic” and supply chain constraints is threatening to stall the UK’s economic rebound from the Covid pandemic, show new figures published today. IHS Markit / CIPS’ latest flash UK composite PMI fell to 57.7 in July, the lowest reading since March. The reading dropped markedly over [...]
Index Ventures invests $1bn into UK startups and will create 5000 jobs within a year July 23, 2021 Transatlantic venture capital firm Index Ventures has raised $3.1bn in new funds and directly invested $1bn in UK startups to create 5000 British jobs in the next year. Index’s latest cash injection comes just a year after Index raised its last set of $2bn funds. The UK is Index’s single largest destination for investments in Europe, and [...]
How To Mix: John Glaser’s Whisky Highball July 23, 2021 Whisky cocktails are not something you imagine preparing weeks in advance but if you want to save yourself a little trouble and look like a total pro at your next barbecue, that’s what cocktail aficionado and spirits company founder John Glaser recommends. Glaser, founder of Compass Box Whisky, is a particular fan of the Highball, [...]
Covid sharpens inequalities in UK housing market July 23, 2021 The Covid crisis has widened inequalities in the UK housing market, according to new research published today. Figures from building society Nationwide show one in four private renters think the pandemic has made it more difficult for them to buy a home. Sharp rises in house prices over the last year, driven by demand being [...]
Beazley shares pop as insurer heads back to the black July 23, 2021 Shares in insurer Beazley popped this morning after the FTSE 250 firm said that it had swung back into profit in the first half. By midday, the firm’s stock was up 7.0 per cent at 386.60p, their highest levels in 10 months. For the period, it posted profit of $167.3m, up from a $13m loss [...]
I’ll be toasting International Tequila Day with a Maestro DOBEL July 23, 2021 National and international awareness days for foods and drinks might have begun as cynical marketing ploys, but some have evolved into annual events that the public have embraced with genuine enthusiasm. One of the most successful of these pseudo-holidays is International Margarita Day, which takes place on 22 February, and in pre-Covid times was widely [...]
MPs warn of ‘huge financial losses’ as scam ads left out of online safety laws July 23, 2021 A string of cross-party MPs have blasted the government’s failure to include paid-for adverts in its upcoming online safety laws, warning of “huge financial losses” to the public. In a joint letter to the prime minister, the Treasury Committee and the Work and Pensions Committee said fraudulent online ads were doing immense harm and urged [...]
Mattress maker Simba posts record profits as rival store closures cushion sales July 23, 2021 London-based sleep-tech company Simba has posted its highest ever half-year profits, as rival store closures cushioned sales. Simba’s first-half sales soared 130 per cent in the weeks to 30 June, in comparison with the same period in 2020. The company, which focuses on mattresses, had already seen strong sales growth of 66 per cent last [...]
