Ken sheds tear at launch of his full manifesto April 11, 2012 LABOUR’s Ken Livingstone shed a tear yesterday at the launch of his full manifesto to be Mayor of London, later describing how the “awesome responsibility” of ensuring that he wins on 3 May was affecting him. Livingstone became visibly emotional while watching an election broadcast of his supporters declaring “Come on Ken, London needs you!” [...]
Candidates clash over tax, trust and rickshaws at mayoral debate April 11, 2012 KEN Livingstone could not escape the debate over his tax affairs as income arrangements dominated the agenda at last night’s mayoral hustings. A rowdy Westminster audience gave the biggest cheer of the night to an attack on the Labour candidate’s choice to pay himself through a private company. “The law allows you to do that. [...]
Livingstone’s tax savings estimated at £75k over three years April 11, 2012 MAYORAL candidate Ken Livingstone saved over £75,000 in tax by channelling some of his earnings through a company, according to new research. The figures, prepared for Taxation magazine by TolleyGuidance, suggest that by channelling some of his earnings through a private firm Livingstone paid £77,790 less tax during the three years to June 2011 compared [...]
Johnson says no money for rival’s pledge April 11, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday attacked Ken Livingstone for making “unfunded” promises on the campaign trail, claiming that the Labour candidate has failed to identify funding for at least £2.7bn worth of pledges. In a document entitled “Can’t Afford Ken”, Johnson’s team claim to have identified 24 spending commitments made by Livingstone that go beyond the existing [...]
Michael Page sees no pick up in banking jobs April 11, 2012 CITY recruiter Michael Page said yesterday it sees no end to the hiring freeze that has hit the UK’s financial sector, as it posted a 12 per cent drop in net fee income from its banking business. “Banking remains difficult and certain geographies remain more challenging than others,” said the group’s chief executive Steve [...]
ANALYST VIEWS WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF MICHAEL PAGE’S FIRST QUARTER UPDATE? April 11, 2012 PAUL JONES PANMURE GORDON First quarter results from Michael Page show some decent progress at the gross level, though give us little clarity on how the year is likely to pan out. Visibility remains limited and macro pressure suggests to us little prospect for market improvements in 2012. CAROLINE DE LA SOUJEOLE SEYMOUR PIERCE We [...]
Commerzbank plans to boost share capital April 11, 2012 GERMANY’S Commerzbank plans to ask shareholders for permission to boost its share capital by up to €2.46bn (£2.02bn) within the next five years in a bid to improve its capital structure. The plans, published yesterday in its agenda for its AGM on 23 May, would enable it to redeem non-voting shares held by the German [...]
J&J fined $1bn over selling of Risperdal drug April 11, 2012 JOHNSON & Johnson (J&J) was yesterday fined $1.1bn (£691m) for misleading patients and doctors about risks associated with its anti-psychotic drug Risperdal. Dustin McDaniel, attorney-general for Arkansas, where the case was bought, said J&J engaged in “deceptive” practices when marketing its Risperdal drug.
Carlyle eyes market cap of $8bn April 11, 2012 PRIVATE equity giant the Carlyle Group is aiming for a market value of $7.5bn to $8bn in its long-awaited float and is set to begin an investor roadshow within days. The US buyout firm, whose British interests include Alliance Boots, will raise $750m to $800m by selling off around 10 per cent. It is expected [...]
Rental boom ahead of Olympics April 11, 2012 BRITAIN’S rental market is booming, with the number of properties available to lease rising 10 per cent on last year, according to figures out yesterday. Research by data group Experian shows that an additional 58,000 properties were being marketed to rent in 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. By contrast the number of [...]
