Johnson contradicts Miliband on 50p tax November 28, 2010 SHADOW chancellor Alan Johnson has denied clashing with Ed Miliband over the 50p tax rate, amid criticism that the Labour Party is divided. Party leader Miliband has said he plans to keep the tax rate for higher earners after the next general election. But Johnson yesterday said that the tax should be reviewed nearer the [...]
Apprentices not just for sorcerers and Sugar November 28, 2010 THINK you know what an apprentice is? A working class youth in oily blue overalls with a spanner in his hands? The super self-confident types given missions impossible by Alan Sugar? Or Disney’s accident-prone mop-splitting sorcerer’s apprentice? Think again. We don’t often see apprentices in London, and more rarely still in the glittering spires of [...]
Breastfeeding rooms to be required in the office November 28, 2010 BUSINESS leaders have reacted with dismay at proposals that will allow working mothers to bring their babies to work and expect employers to provide private breastfeeding rooms, to be put forward by the government tomorrow. Health secretary, Andrew Lansley, said over the weekend that he intended to introduce the proposals earlier than required by the [...]
Minimum new drink prices to curb bingeing November 28, 2010 BRITISH supermarkets will be banned from selling alcohol below a national minimum price, under government plans to crack down on binge-drinking. The new rules, announced yesterday, would prohibit shops from selling alcohol as a “loss leader” to entice customers. But health groups say the suggested minimums – £2 for a bottle of wine, £10.50 for [...]
EU financial services must compete globally November 28, 2010 IN January 2011, Hungary will take up the presidency of the European Union and no doubt next year’s agenda will be a full one. In addition to key legislative proposals covering areas such as short selling and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, the Hungarian presidency will also oversee the setting up of the new European regulatory framework [...]
Punch plans to clear debt November 28, 2010 PUNCH Taverns is considering a range of options as part of massive restructuring plans designed to battle its £3.1bn debt. The pub chain is believed to be considering hiving off a portion of its loans and freeholds, a debt-for-equity swap or more pub sales, according to sources who said “all options were on the table”. [...]
Punch November 28, 2010 FEW sectors clawed their way out of the financial crisis with a worse hangover than the pub industry. Years of debt-fuelled expansion left the sector massively over-geared. At Friday’s close, Punch was worth just £380m while its debt pile is a staggering £3.1bn. Now that finance director Phil Dutton has left the business, boss Ian [...]
ALAN SUGAR BECOMES A CHRISTIAN COVER STAR November 28, 2010 ALAN Sugar likes to boast that he was in the Jewish Lads Brigade in Hackney, flew Jewish comedian Jackie Mason over from New York for his 40th birthday party and when a contestant on The Apprentice told him “I’m Catholic and I give you my word”, he replied: “I’m Jewish and I couldn’t give a [...]
BILL OF THE WEEK November 28, 2010 Sometimes Pret just doesn’t hit the spot for lunch, don’t you find? Such was the case for two Russian gents, residents of Chelsea, who splurged the best part of two grand on their midday meal one day last week. Our epicures started out with a £180 bottle of Dom Perignon to whet the appetite, which [...]
Spurs’ 10-day wait for stadium verdict November 25, 2010 TOTTENHAM expect to find out within 10 days whether they have the all-clear to begin work on building a new £450m stadium next to White Hart Lane. The club received a boost yesterday when Mayor of London Boris Johnson backed Haringey Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the 55,000-seater venue. Now Spurs have three [...]
