No more reason to wine: Government cuts Brexit red tape on wine imports December 16, 2021 The government has today confirmed it will cut the Brexit red tape that costs wine importers coming into the UK some £130m a year. The new legislation will come into effect at the beginning of next year and will ease trading between the UK and the European Union – which accounts for half of the [...]
Warehouse deals hit record high as UK firms look to reel in supply chains December 16, 2021 Property deals for industrial and warehouse spaces have hit a record high this year, suggesting that businesses are reeling in their supply chains closer to home. Take up of warehouse space is set to hit a record 66m square feet this year, according to preliminary data from Knight Frank, surpassing 2020’s record by nearly 30 per cent. [...]
Staff absences sweeping London leave hospitals teetering on ‘dangerous situation’ December 16, 2021 The number of staff absences that have swept London as a result of the recent wave of Omicron has hospitals teetering on a “dangerous situation”, a medical expert has warned. Sickness levels among hospital workers, including doctors and nurses, has risen to around 10 per cent, leaving shifts and wards short-staffed, Royal Colle of Emergency [...]
Government should further consult finance industry on UK’s net zero path, says investment body December 16, 2021 The government should consult on a ‘transitional taxonomy’ to ensure the finance industry understands the country’s net zero pathway, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has urged. In a government policy briefing today, the group will also caution policymakers to avoid a mandatory approach to carbon targets and instead encourage a broader range [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile today? December 16, 2021 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Zeus Labs Software startup Zeus Labs has poached Tesco’s global head of logistics as it looks to shape up the road freight industry. Joining as chief operating officer, Alistair Lindsay will help reduce the sector’s carbon footprint [...]
Two-pronged or two-punch? Boris’ Plan B closes in December 16, 2021 The Prime Minister doubled down on his Plan B approach yesterday evening after daily Covid-19 cases hit a record high with 78,610 new infections on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that more records would be broken, with the Government “throwing everything” at the new Omicron variant. While the exact ratios are not yet [...]
Schroders to splash £360m on controlling stake of renewable investment manager December 15, 2021 Schroders is reportedly looking to splash £360m on a renewable energy investment group amid the global transition to net zero. The asset manager is looking to by a controlling stake of Greencoat Capital, a 75 per cent share, which would significantly strengthen Schroders’ green offering, Sky News’ Mark Kleinman first reported. The deal, which will [...]
‘Let’s keep giving Omicron both barrels,’ says Johnson as Covid cases hit new record December 15, 2021 Prime minister Boris Johnson has doubled down on his Plan B approach, as Covid-19 cases hit their highest since March last year. Meanwhile, chief medical officer Chris Whitty offered a sobering warning on the rise of cases. Around 45 per cent of adults in England have received their booster jabs, Johnson said, as the government [...]
Covid-19 cases hit highest since March 2020 December 15, 2021 Daily Covid-19 cases have hit their highest since the pandemic began in the UK around March last year. The UK recorded around 78,610 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, with 4,237 being cases of the new Omicron variant. The latest figures take the total confirmed cases of the Omicron variant to 9,243. Another 68,868 people have [...]
Government slashes EV grant a second time in bid to reel in spending December 15, 2021 The government has slashed its grant for electric vehicles (EVs) for the second time this year, in a bid to reel in spending as inflation hits a decade-long high. The grant has been cut from £2,500 to £1,500, while the value of vehicles eligible for the funding assistance has been trimmed down by £3,000 to [...]
