Grocery sales on track for bumper Christmas after reaching record high in November December 8, 2020 November was the largest month ever for the UK’s grocery market as out of home socialising was restricted by a second national lockdown, figures show. Market researcher Kantar said grocery sales rose 11.3 per cent in the 12 months to 29 November and climbed 13.9 per cent year-on-year in the last four weeks. Last month [...]
Government calls on banks to advise on first green gilt December 8, 2020 The UK government has asked banks to bid for contracts to advise on the launch of the country’s first green gilt. Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled plans last month to issue climate-focused securities for the first time. He said the bonds would contribute to a “new chapter for financial services” in the UK. Green government bonds [...]
Ofgem unveils £40bn spending package but cuts investor returns for next price control period December 8, 2020 The UK’s energy companies will be able to spend a combined £40bn in investment into the country’s energy networks over the next five years, but will see returns limited under stricter new rules from Ofgem. This morning the energy regulator laid out its plans for the next “price control” period, which runs from 2021 to [...]
Blockchain. What’s Stored In the Ledger? December 8, 2020 In assessing a company claiming that they are revolutionising their industry using blockchain, one must always ask the question: What are you storing in the ledger? More often than not, the information the people fronting the project haven’t got a clue. They rely on their tech teams to answer this question. And yet, it is [...]
Ashtead lifts full-year guidance after ‘resilient’ lockdown period December 8, 2020 Construction equipment hire firm Ashtead has raised its full-year guidance after a strong performance during lockdown. Ashtead benefited from its status as an essential business during the pandemic, meaning its revenues for the six months ending 31 October slipped just five per cent to £2.5bn. Operating profits dropped 20 per cent to £614m. “Based on [...]
Brexit: France reiterates veto threat over fishing rights December 8, 2020 France is still threatening to vote down a Brexit deal it considers to “sacrifice” its fishermen, in what is the latest barrier in trade talks. French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune today said France would oppose any pact that “sacrifices” its fisherman. “On fisheries there is no reason to yield to Britain’s pressure. We can [...]
National Lottery minimum age to rise to 18 amid new gambling review December 8, 2020 The government will increase the minimum age to play the National Lottery from 16 to 18 next Autumn and has launched a major review of gambling laws to make sure they are fit for the age of smartphone and in-play betting. Ministers will weigh up whether online restrictions like stake and spend limits and extra [...]
South African miner AngloGold Ashanti appoints Maria Ramos as chair December 8, 2020 Mining giant AngloGold Ashanti has appointed Maria Ramos as chair of the board following the resignation of Sipho Pityana. Ramos has been a director of the company since May 2019 and served as chair of the Remuneration and HR Committee, and as a member of the Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee. Pityana has served as [...]
New Toyota Hilux driven: the truck Clarkson couldn’t kill December 8, 2020 The new Toyota Hilux is gunning for the lifestyle market, with more power and luxury. Should you buy one instead of an SUV?
‘V-Day’: First Brits set to receive coronavirus jab December 8, 2020 The first people in the UK are expected to receive the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine later today. The UK is the first country in the world to start a national vaccination programme against coronavirus with the rollout of the Pfizer/Biontech jab. Fifty hospitals will administer the vaccine from this morning after medicine regulators [...]
