Bank of Ireland sees strong first quarter as capital rises and costs drop April 30, 2021 The Bank of Ireland has reported a strong income for the first quarter of this year today, noting limited impacts on customer loans from longer lockdowns in the Irish market. Ireland’s largest bank by assets enjoyed a stable net interest income throughout its multiple lockdowns, exceeding initial forecasts, as its capital levels rose and its [...]
India hit by vaccine shortage a day before it widened its jabs drive April 30, 2021 India has been hit by a Covid-19 vaccines shortage a day before it had planned to widen its nationwide inoculation programme, authorities said today. It comes as the world’s second-most populous country saw another daily record in new cases, reporting 386,452 infections in the last 24 hours. However, medical experts and journalists have warned that [...]
Leaked report advises Johnson to scrap social distancing at large events April 30, 2021 Prime minister Boris Johnson will be advised to scrap social distancing at larger events from 21 June, as results from a pilot scheme revealed no surge in Covid-19 cases among attendees. Johnson will be told next week to shelve the restrictions after the interim report into reopening trials found that crowds can return safely and without [...]
Greenpeace files complaint against Total CEO, claiming conflict of interest April 29, 2021 With two other civil society groups, Greenpeace has filed a complaint with a Paris prosecutor against the CEO of energy giant Total today, alleging a conflict of interest. CEO Patrick Pouyanné has been accused of abusing his role on the board of prestigious university Ecole Polytechnique, to push Total’s agenda. Last year, the board on [...]
London homes snapped up by Hong Kong buyers quadruples April 29, 2021 The number of London homes being bought by Hong Kong buyers has quadrupled since the UK’s visa scheme has allowed many to relocate. Hong Kong buyers now account for four per cent of transactions in the capital, up from one per cent, according to client data from property firm Benham and Reeves. Since the British National [...]
London-based food-tech platform Taster raises $37m in funding April 29, 2021 London-based digital restaurant platform Taster has raised $37m in series B funding, led by Cazoo-backing firm, the company confirmed today. Backed by the same firm that helped used-car platform Cazoo land its £5bn valuation, Octopus Ventures, Taster has capitalised on the growth seen within the food delivery industry over the last 18 months. “If McDonald’s [...]
Lockdown roadmap cannot be rushed, despite vaccine success, minister says April 29, 2021 Despite the success of the vaccine rollout, the roadmap through lifting lockdown restrictions cannot be accelerated safely, the UK’s vaccines minister has warned this morning. Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that while one in four adults had two doses, “we have to be careful”. The successful vaccine rollout does not ensure full protection, Zahawi warned, adding that “if the [...]
Indeed: Highest paying jobs are seeing the least competition April 29, 2021 As restrictions ease, the UK’s job market has been slowly pulling itself together after a rocky year and according to jobs site Indeed, some of the highest paying roles are seeing the least competition. New figures by Indeed revealed that while recruitment is picking up speed, job postings are still 10 per cent below pre-pandemic [...]
London used as ‘money-laundering base’, mafia trial prosecutor says April 28, 2021 In Italy’s largest mafia trial in three decades, the UK’s capital has been roped in as a potential hotspot for organised crime, particularly post-Brexit. The trial will see around 900 witnesses testify against more than 350 ’Ndrangheta defendants, including politicians and officials charged with being members of Italy’s most powerful criminal group. Defendants are set [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? April 28, 2021 City A.M.‘s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Cazoo bolsters board after $7bn NYSE listing After its $7bn New York Stock Exchange listing through its AJAX merger, UK online car retailer Cazoo has confirmed that a new non-executive director [...]
