A strong start to 2014 for Hiscox but insurer yet to weather storms July 28, 2014 INSURER Hiscox boasted a strong start to 2014, despite a 31 per cent fall in profit for the first half of the year, a result of falling reinsurance rates and foreign exchange losses. The positive outlook was confirmed by a number of analysts, who said the group’s results exceeded expectations. Hiscox announced a profit before [...]
Aviva, RSA and Partnership face watershed moment, say analysts July 28, 2014 Analysts Panmure Gordon have warned that three big insurers face a “watershed moment” following a turbulent six months for the sector. In a release ahead of the insurance industry’s results season, the group warned that the strengthening of sterling and the chancellor’s overhaul of the annuities industry in the Budget this year would have an [...]
Ed Miliband wants to let “public into politics” with open question time to quiz politicians July 27, 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband has promised to open up politics to the masses by holding a public question time style event each Wednesday if he wins the next general election. In addition to Prime Minister’s Question Time, which takes place every Wednesday lunchtime when the Commons is sitting, Miliband has promised an open question session [...]
David Cameron urges restraint over Russia 2018 World Cup boycott July 27, 2014 Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have called for Russia to lose the right to host the football World Cup in 2018 if President Putin continues his involvement with separatists in Ukraine. However, David Cameron urged caution instead yesterday, pouring cold water on his coalition partner’s call for action. “The Prime Minister does not believe [...]
Targeting Russian oligarchs with EU sanctions won’t work say lawyers July 24, 2014 Lawyers have cast doubt on the plausibility of directing EU sanctions at Russian oligarchs, as politicians look to freeze the assets of figures close to President Putin. Europe is in the process of agreeing tougher sanctions on Moscow, following the downing of Malaysian airlines flight MH17 over separatist-controlled Ukraine last week. Last night, EU members [...]
Cameron vows to review exports to Russia amid arms contract row July 23, 2014 David Cameron has vowed to double check the UK’s arms deals with Russia, as pressure increases on the government to end all contracts with President Putin in the wake of the MH17 disaster. Following a letter from the chair of the committee on arms export control yesterday, Cameron said he would look again at all [...]
All-women shortlists for board appointments ruled unlawful July 23, 2014 IT IS illegal for companies to use women-only shortlists to fill boardroom positions, according to new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The report found that positive discrimination in order to appoint female candidates is unlawful under equality law, meaning businesses would no longer be able to draw up lists comprised solely of [...]
Key vote over Royal Mail pay July 23, 2014 ROYAL Mail will face its shareholders today, in what is widely expected to be a showdown over pay and bonuses of the company’s top executives. The government, a 30 per cent shareholder, is understood to be voting in favour of a remuneration package proposed for bosses, but the last-minute decision to agree follows weeks of [...]
TfL commissioner and Crossrail chief among top London bureaucrats set for pay probe July 22, 2014 Top bosses tasked with running London could be facing tough questions over their pay today, as a committee of politicians prepares to investigate excessive salaries. Andrew Boff, a Conservative member of the Greater London Authority oversight committee, is calling on Mayor Boris Johnson to curb the amount top bosses are paid, after it emerged that [...]
MP calls for Russia to forfeit World Cup as sanctions vote falls short July 22, 2014 A CONSERVATIVE MP has called for Russia to be stripped of the right to host the football World Cup in 2018, following the loss of Malaysian airlines flight MH17. During a select committee hearing yesterday, Tracey Crouch, a Football Association-accredited coach, said Russia should not be allowed to host the tournament as punishment for its [...]
