Sunak might be teetotal – but he needs to sober up from his super-spending – CityAM : CityAM October 28, 2021 The definition of addiction is the serious, chronic dependence on a substance or activity. After watching the Chancellor spend almost an hour trumpeting eye-watering increases in public spending, we now have every reason to believe that this government is hooked on splashing taxpayers’ money. The next immediate hit – securing a headline about another couple [...]
Before we give London’s transport to the rest of the UK, we should fix it here first – CityAM : CityAM October 28, 2021 The only standout mention of the capital in yesterday’s budget was a promise to bring “London-style transport settlements” to regions across the country. On the face of it, this is an entirely sensible aspiration. Many other cities would love to have London’s mix of cheap, frequent buses with flat fares, a fast reliable and wide-ranging [...]
Britain will launch Cop26 in Glasgow while taxpayers are still funding fossil fuels – CityAM : CityAM October 28, 2021 On Monday, the parliamentary committee for International Development demanded the government stop investing in the fossil fuel sector, including through its private-sector arm, the CDC Group. CDC is investing hundreds of millions of precious aid money in fossil fuel companies that compound the climate crisis. Propping up the fossil fuel industry will inevitably mean more [...]
The verdict: A budget packed to the rafters with promises and light on the means to pay for them October 28, 2021 Kitty Ussher, Institute of Directors The crucial test for this Budget was whether it gave business the confidence to invest. The Chancellor’s cuts for business rates and R&D tax credit are welcome. But, when paired with hefty hikes in other taxation on the horizon, that may not be enough to convince business leaders to press [...]
UK car production falls 41.5 per cent as shortages plague industry October 28, 2021 Car production in Britain shrank 41.5 per cent in September, as only 67,169 vehicles were produced. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that September was the third consecutive month of decline and the worst-performing September since 1982. Domestic and export markets sank respectively by 47.4 and 39.6 per cent. Global [...]
Third Point calls to break up Shell after acquiring a $750m stake October 27, 2021 Wall Street hedge fund Third Point has called to break up Royal Dutch Shell after acquiring a $750m majority stake in it. Third Point is urging the oil giant to split up into multiple companies to increase its performance and market value, accusing Shell of having an “incoherent” set of strategies for its businesses, a [...]
Editorial: Risky Rishi’s budget may not taste so sweet if events turn sour October 27, 2021 The poor Labour party. If the job of opposition is to oppose, how to oppose Rishi Sunak’s budget?The truth is that had Sunak’s speech been drafted for Gordon Brown, not many would have batted an eyelid. Spending was replaced with investment; tax cuts a promise, not a reality. There was much to like from a [...]
John Lewis in hot water as “misleading” ad is pulled October 27, 2021 John Lewis was forced to apologise after it aired an ad that was considered potentially misleading by the financial watchdog. “This advert has been withdrawn because the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers the content to be potentially misleading and could cause customers to be confused about John Lewis’s new home contents insurance offering,” the department [...]
Sunak cuts the Universal Credit taper rate to ease cost of living pressures October 27, 2021 Rishi Sunak has today cut the Universal Credit taper rate in a move that will put £2bn back into the pockets of the country’s lowest paid workers. Sunak announced in his Budget today that the taper rate will be slashed in December from 63 per cent to 55 per cent in a move that is [...]
Former Cadbury chief to head Wagamama’s owner Restaurant Group October 27, 2021 Cadbury’s former chief financial officer Ken Hanna is reportedly set to become the next chairman of Restaurant Group, which owns several chains including Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito. A stock market announcement is expected to be made on Thursday, Sky News reported, a day after hospitality companies learnt they will be given a 50 [...]
