Public borrowing rises as tax receipts fall June 26, 2012 Public borrowing was higher than expected in May after income tax receipts fell and spending rose, in a sign the government may face a struggle to meet its debt reduction target as the economy weakens. The Office for National Statistics said that public sector net borrowing excluding public sector interventions – the government’s preferred measure [...]
Stagecoach profits dented by rail unit June 26, 2012 British bus and rail operator Stagecoach reported a slight fall in full-year profit after its UK rail business delivered a worse-than-expected performance. Scotland-based Stagecoach said its pretax profit for the year to the end of April fell 1.5 per cent to £202.5m on revenues 8.4 per cent higher at £2.59bn. “This reduction was principally due [...]
Ocado says sales hit by Jubilee June 26, 2012 Online supermarket Ocado said trade in its third quarter was disrupted by celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee as it posted a 4.5 per cent rise in underlying first half earnings. “The third quarter is particularly hard to forecast as we have already seen some disruption from the Jubilee events, and there is [...]
Hodgson puts brave face on England’s elimination June 25, 2012 Will Roy loosen the shackles? Hodgson was never going to be criticised for adopting a pragmatic approach at Euro 2012, having taken over just weeks before the tournament and with Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two matches. But long-term he will find it increasingly difficult to justify such cautious tactics. That may mean casting [...]
WHERE DO ENGLAND GO FROM HERE? June 25, 2012 Will Roy loosen the shackles? Hodgson was never going to be criticised for adopting a pragmatic approach at Euro 2012, having taken over just weeks before the tournament and with Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two matches. But long-term he will find it increasingly difficult to justify such cautious tactics. That may mean casting [...]
Olazabal and Montgomery out in the Open June 25, 2012 RYDER Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and Scotsman Colin Montgomerie missed out on qualification for the Open Championship last night at Sunningdale, where England’s Sam Walker succeeded in qualifying for the first time. Montgomerie, who could yet reach the Open by finishing within the top five at either the French or Scottish Opens, hit just [...]
Rangers ready for relegation June 25, 2012 RANGERS face the likelihood of a humiliating demotion to the fourth tier after more rivals declared they would oppose the reborn club’s re-entry to the Scottish Premier League. Aberdeen and St Johnstone took the number of teams opposing a newco Rangers’ admission to the SPL to six, meaning they look highly unlikely to achieve the [...]
Shock Wimbledon exit leaves Williams defiant as Djokovic and Federer lay down early markers June 25, 2012 FORMER Wimbledon champion Venus Williams insists she is not resigned to retiring, even though her shock first-round defeat to Elena Vesnina hinted at a greater acceleration in her decline. Williams lost 6-1, 6-3 to the Russian world No79 and only held her serve once throughout the opening set but regardless remained defiant about her future [...]
WATSON FLIES THROUGH TO SECOND ROUND June 25, 2012 BRITISH No3 Heather Watson (above) beat Iveta Benetsova 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round of Wimbledon to secure her first singles victory at the All England Club. Watson, 20, will meet unseeded American Jamie Lee Hampton in the tournament’s next round. She said: “I was lost in the moment, the crowd was amazing and I [...]
Crowd darlings set for support June 25, 2012 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray and wildcard Laura Robson today begin their respective attempts for Wimbledon success, with the former hoping home support can inspire him to a first grand slam title. “I think that when you look over the years it has normally helped players raise their game by being at home,” said Murray, who [...]
