Joyce’s joy cut short by Carter December 4, 2012 SNOOKER: World No1 Judd Trump’s conqueror Mark Joyce crashed out of the UK Championship last night, losing 6-2 to Ali Carter. Shaun Murphy beat Graeme Dott 6-2.
City braced for more tax hikes December 4, 2012 CITY workers were bracing themselves for tax hikes today, with private pensions likely to be targeted again in the Autumn Statement. The chancellor has warned that he will use today’s mini-budget to force those on high incomes to pay more tax. There were also fears last night that the levy on bank balance sheets would [...]
Tesco poised for dramatic exit from US December 4, 2012 TESCO is likely to close its US franchise, Fresh & Easy, pending a strategic review of the lossmaking business. Chief executive Philip Clarke will announce the review today alongside the retailer’s quarterly results, and will make a decision on the venture by April. Fresh & Easy has failed to turn a profit in its five [...]
Row brings euro banking union talks to a standstill December 4, 2012 A FRANCO-GERMAN split yesterday threatened to derail plans for a European banking union, with French ministers pushing for the European Central Bank (ECB) to have all the powers previously promised, and the German government doubting the ECB was even capable of supervising any banks. Plans were supposed to be finalised yesterday, but another meeting of [...]
A case of lies, damn lies and our rocketing national debt December 4, 2012 GO on, take the quiz. You know you can’t wait, so here goes. Which of these statements do you believe to be most accurate: a) the coalition is planning to cut the national debt by £600bn between 2010 and 2015; b) it is planning neither to reduce or decrease it; or c) the coalition is [...]
UK and Europe blighted by lack of confidence December 4, 2012 THE CHANCELLOR faces a major challenge improving confidence in the economy, as just 15 per cent of Britons believe the UK is in good shape according to an Ipsos Mori poll seen exclusively by City A.M. Confidence has been flatlining in recent months, though it has increased a little over the last year. The poll [...]
What the other papers say this morning December 4, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Intersnack hungry for KP Snacks The British maker of Hula Hoops crisps, KP nuts and Mini Cheddars is about to be sold to German snacks maker Intersnack, paving the way for a possible disposal of the rest of United Biscuits’ brands, including McVitie’s Jaffa cakes next year. Intersnack, the owner of Pom-Bear crisps [...]
Obama holds ground on cliff December 4, 2012 Barack Obama held his ground on the “fiscal cliff” yesterday, insisting on higher tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, while Republicans showed increasing disarray over how far they should go to compromise with Obama’s demands. With less than a month left to confront the budget cuts and tax increases that will begin taking effect in [...]
Fed eyes new bank debt rules December 4, 2012 US financial regulators are considering proposals to force banks to hold more long-term debt in a bid to improve stability. Dan Tarullo, a board member of the Federal Reserve, said a plan for minimum long-term debt requirements does “not immediately suggest any unfavourable unintended consequences, thereby perhaps strengthening its appeal as a near-term policy priority”. [...]
Topshop seals US future with J Crew owner December 4, 2012 RETAIL magnate Sir Philip Green is close to selling a stake in his family’s fast-growing Topshop fashion empire to a US private equity firm. Sir Philip is in advanced talks to sell up to 25 per cent of his family’s interest in high street labels Topman and Topshop, in a deal which values the two [...]
