Huawei: Growth slows amid geopolitical tensions, but smart cities on the horizon March 31, 2021 Huawei took home $137.7bn in revenue last year, an uptick of just 3.8 per cent year on year, as it saw a lift to its enterprise business amidst geopolitical tensions. The Chinese telecoms giant enjoyed a 23 per cent boost to its enterprise business which earned $15.4bn, as it has channelled its focus away from [...]
Fortnite maker complains of Apple’s ‘anti-competitive’ behaviour to UK watchdog March 30, 2021 Fortnite maker Epic Games has complained to the UK’s markets watchdog today over Apple’s ‘anti-competitive’ rules, after a spat that led to the game being banned from the App Store last year. Epic took its competition complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), claiming Apple exercised unfair control over app makers. Last August, Fortnite [...]
PayPal to allow US customers to use cryptocurrencies in online shopping March 30, 2021 PayPal is set to allow its US customers to use their cryptocurrency assets to pay online, a move that may signal a shift towards digital currencies for online shopping. Formally announcing the move later today, PayPal will allow customers to convert bitcoin, ether, bitcoin cash and litecoin into fiat currencies at checkouts, the company told [...]
SSE warns of £180m blow as renewables output shrinks March 30, 2021 London-listed energy supplier SSE has warned this morning of a £180m blow to its annual profits after its year-to-date renewables output was around nine per cent less than planned. Reduced wind generation and lower hydro volumes may have fuelled the blow, analysts have said. The network operator reported a five per cent dip in renewable [...]
UK to focus on vaccinating adults before offering surplus shots, minister says March 30, 2021 Business minister Kwasi Kwarteng has said this morning the UK will focus on vaccinating its adult population before offering surplus doses to neighbouring countries. More than 30m people have been given at least one shot of the vaccine so far in the UK’s largest inoculation programme to date. The UK has aimed to offer all [...]
Shell suggests linking director’s pay with climate performance March 29, 2021 British-Dutch energy giant Shell has suggested linking its director’s pay with the groups’ climate performance today, as climate resolution edges to the top of industry discussion. The move would signal a shift in priorities in the energy sector, as directors currently receive bonuses that are tied to natural gas production volumes. Shareholders are set to vote [...]
Survey: SMEs eye post-pandemic investment boost March 29, 2021 UK SMEs are eyeing long-term growth as over a quarter plan to invest more in their businesses this year than before the pandemic, according to a survey by Virgin Money. The focus on growth has never been clearer as businesses have had to close their doors, furlough workers and cut their costs. After a [...]
British Gas engineers face mass firings after rejecting contract offer March 29, 2021 Hundreds of British Gas engineers face being sacked on 1 April after rejecting a revised contract offer earlier this month, according to the GMB Union. A string of strikes has been held by thousands of engineers since February, in opposition to the company’s ‘fire and rehire’ tactics. The union said engineers were told they had [...]
Covid: UK bank lending surged £29.3bn since March, surpassing EU March 29, 2021 UK bank lending has surged by eight per cent to keep businesses afloat since the pandemic began, surpassing EU lending, according to a new study by UHY released this morning. Banks have offered around £29.3bn in businesses loans over the past year, as lending in the EU increased by an average of 5.3 per cent. [...]
20-second Covid test to be distributed across the UK and Europe March 26, 2021 A freshly approved and fully recyclable 20-second Covid-19 test is set to be distributed across the UK and Europe, London-based distribution company HISTATE has said this morning. The rapid test, known as Virolens, has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use and sale in the UK. The trials show [...]
