Next CEO backs Lords battle against National Insurance tax rise January 29, 2025 The chief executive of retail giant Next has backed an attempt in the House of Lords to change the planned change to employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Lord Wolfson has supported amendments to the bill which have been tabled by Baroness Noakes. In Labour’s Budget last Autumn, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the government would [...]
UK’s last fracking wells to be filled with cement despite dwindling gas stocks January 29, 2025 The UK’s last fracking wells are set to be closed and filled with cement despite warnings that Britain’s gas stockpiles are dwindling. In an open letter, the North Sea Transition Authority regulator told the energy firm Cuadrilla to plug the two wells at Preston New Road in Lancashire before decommissioning them by 30th June 2025. [...]
‘Deregulation is essential’: Starmer vows to slash red tape in bid for growth January 29, 2025 Keir Starmer vowed to deregulate Britain and cut through “thickets of red tape” today as he tried to reboot his government’s handling of the economy following months of anaemic growth and criticism from business. In an article for the Times, the Prime Minister wrote “deregulation is essential” and warned investors were shunning the UK due [...]
Rachel Reeves to unveil £65m investment in EV charging firm January 29, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil a £65m investment into an electric car charging company as part of a much-anticipated growth speech on Wednesday. City AM understands the new National Wealth Fund (NWF) will take an equity stake in Connected Kerb alongside Aviva Investors, the global asset management branch of Aviva Group. The NWF will commit [...]
Raspberry Pi stock dips after profit forecast at lower end January 29, 2025 Raspberry Pi’s stock price has dipped by 2.2 per cent after it said adjusted operating profit was expected to come in on the low end of what had been expected by markets. The Cambridge-based tech firm said it expected its full year adjusted operating profit to be above $36m (£28.9m), compared to a range of [...]
Playtech: Gambling giant’s chair steps down after action-packed tenure January 29, 2025 The chair of Playtech is to step down following an action-packed tenure at the London-listed gambling tech firm. Brian Mattingley will depart after nearly four years at the helm, but will stay in his role for a few months as the search for a successor gets underway. In a statement to markets, Playtech, which was [...]
Virgin Wines: ‘A decent Christmas was needed and delivered’ January 29, 2025 Virgin Wines delivered a strong Christmas trading performance and outperformed the wider market, although revenue remained flat year on year. Revenue increased by 6.7 per cent year-on year during the six weeks to 27 December, 2024, the company told markets this morning. Sales rose nine per cent in December 2024 versus December 2023, reaching the highest level since the Covid-19 lockdowns, [...]
GKN owner Dowlais faces merger from US competitor January 29, 2025 GKN Automotive owner Dowlais Group has become the latest London-listed firm to receive a merger offer from a US competitor. In a stock exchange announcement, Dowlais said that Michigan-based American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings had offered £1.16bn for the firm. The merger offer represents a 25 per cent premium on Dowlais’ closing price last night and [...]
Naked Wines: Losses shrink but wine seller still has a way to go January 29, 2025 Naked Wines has begun to stem its losses after a tough few years for the wine merchant, although the firm’s sales continues to shrink. The company told the London Stock Exchange this morning that its revenue fell by 10.2 per cent year on year in the 13 weeks ended 30 December, or 8.9 per cent [...]
United Utilities and Pennon to hike dividends in line with inflation as customer bills rise January 29, 2025 United Utilities and Pennon Group plan to increase dividends as consumers grapple with significant bill increases over the next five years. The water firms on Wednesday both said dividends would rise in line with inflation each year until 2030, following Ofwat’s final determination in December. The regulator’s ruling, which sets customers’ bills for the next [...]
