Retail sales growth slowed in August amid recovery warnings September 7, 2021 Retail sales growth has started to slow as shoppers’ pent-up enthusiasm has softened this summer. Total sales increased by 3 per cent in August, below the three month average growth of 6.9 per cent. Clothing retailers reported strong performances as Brits looked to stock up their post-lockdown wardrobes with outfits for weddings and returning to [...]
Straight from the horse’s mouth: Why Extinction Rebellion are disrupting your commute September 7, 2021 In response to Eliot Wilson’s piece in CityAM last week, ‘What does Extinction Rebellion actually want?’ Extinction Rebellion protests always divide opinion. In the heat of frustration at another delay to your journey, it’s always tempting to come out against. Like Eliot Wilson in last Tuesday’s City AM, you may dismiss XR activists as trustafarians [...]
Boris Johnson has forgone Conservative party principles with his climate change tactics September 7, 2021 Governments that set ambitious targets — with no intention or realistic plan to meet them — are fundamentally deceptive and intrinsically anti conservative. This is especially apparent when it comes to UK efforts to combat climate change. A true conservative is pragmatic and has realistic plans for the future. They understand gradual change is preferable [...]
Staycations and Brits socialising propel consumer spending above pre-Covid levels September 7, 2021 Surging demand for staycation holidays amid ongoing travel restrictions, supported by strong appetite among Brits to socialise during the summer months, pushed consumer spending well-above pre-Covid levels last month. Data from Barclaycard shows card spending was 15.4 per cent above the same month in 2019, before the onset of the Covid crisis. The sharp rise [...]
Trade authority to review decision to axe half of UK steel tariffs September 7, 2021 The UK’s trade practice watchdog has said that it will reconsider its recommendations over scrapping tariffs on some steel imports after industry protests. The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) said that it had received eight submissions asking for it to review its initial assessment. Back in June the TRA triggered mass outrage from the steel industry [...]
Coal plant fired up as concerns mount over energy prices September 6, 2021 Energy insiders are concerned after two coal facilities have been taken off standby and Britain looks ahead to a cold, costly winter. The amount of electricity coming from wind farms has dropped considerably due to calm weather and there has been a global shortage of natural gas. National Grid ESO asked EDF to switch on [...]
Byron staff oppose changes to how service charge is divvied up September 6, 2021 Staff at burger chain Byron have claimed their tips may be diverted to increase pay for kitchen workers and restaurant managers. A 10 per cent service charge is currently split between front of house staff, who get 70 per cent, and kitchen workers, who get 30 per cent. However, the company told staff a new [...]
Nationwide taps Royal London chairman for top job September 6, 2021 Nationwide is poised to announce a new chairman who will take over the building society next year. Former Scroders and KPMG executive Kevin Perry will replace David Roberts, according to Sky News. The building society was reportedly in the process of seeking regulatory approval for the new appointment, according to the news organisation’s City sources. [...]
Sajid Javid confirms £5.4bn extra NHS England funding for winter September 6, 2021 Sajid Javid has today announced NHS England will receive an extra £5.4bn in funding over winter in a bid to clear the Covid-related hospital backlog. The health secretary announced that £1bn will go directly on easing the waiting list, £2.8bn will be used to cover related costs such as enhanced infection control measures and £478 [...]
The City is back: London Cocktail Club plans Mansion House bar September 6, 2021 Nightcap has announced plans to open a new London Cocktail Club site in the Square Mile. The bar operator has entered into a lease for a new 1,500 square ft venue at 78 Queen Victoria Street, near Cannon Street station and Mansion House station. The venue is expected to open by the end of the [...]
