Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ in HBOS banking job February 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves was investigated over her use of expenses while working in a banking job before becoming an MP. The Chancellor, alongside two colleagues, was subject to an internal probe into expenses claims, while she was a senior manager at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in the late 2000s, the BBC has revealed. Reeves is [...]
UK economy hit by slump in exports to EU February 13, 2025 According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK exports fell 2.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, the third consecutive month of decline.
Kurt Geiger sold to New York’s Steve Madden for £289m February 13, 2025 Private equity firm Cinven has announced the sale of Kurt Geiger to shoe brand Steve Madden for £289m. Cinven bought the footwear and accessories brand in 2015 for £245m, and has since greatly expanded the business in the US. In America alone, sales surged by 58.7 per cent to over £110m from February to September [...]
Rachel Reeves tax raid ‘unlikely to succeed’, analysts warn February 13, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ attempts to put the public finances on firmer ground through tax hikes are “unlikely to succeed,” according to analysts at Oxford Economics. Collecting evidence from a range of ‘fiscal adjustments’ – attempts by governments to balance their budget deficits – Edward Allenby and Adam Slater said attempts to balance the budget through [...]
‘Extraordinary’ Roman Basilica uncovered in heart of the City February 13, 2025 The remains of London’s first Roman Basilica have been uncovered near Leadenhall Market during archaeological investigations at 85 Gracechurch Street. The site is currently being excavated by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) in preparation for the construction of a 32-story office tower. The remains are believed to be part of the Tribunal, a designated area [...]
Elizabeth Line train drivers to strike in dispute over pay February 13, 2025 Train drivers on London’s Elizabeth Line will stage a series of strikes over the next month in a dispute over pay, a union has announced. Members of Aslef, which represents nearly all of the UK’s train drivers, will walk out on 27 February, and on the 1st, 8th and 10th of March for 24 hours. [...]
UK economy: Mixed signals for Rachel Reeves as GDP beats expectations February 13, 2025 You can tell it has been a bleak midwinter when quarterly growth figures of 0.1 per cent sets the pulses racing.
Coca-Cola HBC: Growth continues despite headwinds February 13, 2025 The bottling partner of Coca-Cola has reported double-digit revenue growth despite significant exchange rate headwinds in emerging markets. Coca-Cola HBC AG, the bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, said volumes grew 2.8 per cent in the twelve months ended 31 December 2024, driven by higher sales for coffee and energy drinks. The reported revenue of [...]
Honda and Nissan merger talks collapse February 13, 2025 Japanese carmakers Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi have said they are dropping their talks to integrate their businesses. They agreed to end their consideration of how to build a structure for the three brands to collaborate, their joint statement said. Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Corp announced in December they would hold talks to set up a [...]
British American Tobacco shares drop in tough consumer environment February 13, 2025 British American Tobacco has maintained its outlook for profit and sales next year as it doubled down on a pledge to become a “smokeless business” by 2035. Shares, however, fell more than nine per cent in early trades. “Consumer companies are stuck in somewhat of a difficult environment just now,” Chris Beckett, head of equity [...]
