Green with envy: companies around the world have pledged to go net zero without a plan to get there July 29, 2021 There has been an avalanche of commitments to reduce emissions, from private companies to governments around the world. More than 20 per cent of the world’s largest corporations have set net zero targets and most major economies have committed to achieving net zero by the mid century. Yet, with the existing policies, we are currently [...]
One in six small business owners will not be taking any holidays this year July 29, 2021 Covid-19 travel restrictions are putting off small business owners from vacationing this year. After a tough year, small business owners are reluctant to take time off from work to travel abroad. One in six don’t plan to take any holiday, while almost a quarter of sole traders plan to keep working without leave for the [...]
Coronavirus and the impact on UK insolvencies July 29, 2021 We’ve spoken to insolvency expert, David McGinness, Insolvency Practitioner at French Duncan Restructuring & Debt Advisory, on how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted businesses across UK and what the future holds for them. David McGinness has more than 15 years experience in all types of personal and corporate insolvency. Through the course of his insolvency [...]
Lords committee: UK and EU both to blame for Northern Ireland Protocol mess July 29, 2021 A House of Lords committee has laid the blame for the mess around the Northern Ireland Protocol at the feet of both the UK and the EU, urging the two to come to a compromise solution. The Lords’ European Affairs Committee report into the protocol said Brussels needed to implement the protocol in a more [...]
UK ad spend forecasts lifted as lockdown easing drives recovery July 29, 2021 Official forecasts for UK advertising spend in 2021 have been lifted after the easing of lockdown restrictions helped drive a better-than-expected recovery for the battered sector. Ad spend is now expected to grow 18.2 per cent this year to hit a total of £27.7bn, an upgrade from the 15.2 per cent rise forecast in April. [...]
Google hit with £920m UK lawsuit over ‘unlawful’ app store charges July 29, 2021 Google has been slapped with a £920m class action lawsuit in the UK over claims charges on its Google Play Store are “excessive and unlawful”. The claim, filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, alleges that the tech giant shuts down competition in its Play store and hits out at its 30 per cent [...]
MPs and peers launch ‘super committee’ to scrutinise online harms laws July 29, 2021 A joint committee of MPs and lords has been launched today to scrutinise controversial government plans to tackle online harms. The new super committee will be tasked with seeking views on the online safety bill, which was published in draft form in May. The bill is designed to hold tech giants such as Facebook and [...]
US scientists: China is developing its nuclear force with a second base July 28, 2021 Researchers in the US said they have gathered evidence that China is expanding its ability to store and launch missiles, amid concerns it is amassing more nuclear capacity. China is building 250 silos for nuclear missiles in “the most significant expansion of the Chinese nuclear arsenal ever,” according to a new report from the Federation [...]
Fed says US economy has ‘made progress’ but holds rates at near-zero July 28, 2021 The Federal Reserve deems the US economy to be “strengthening” despite rising coronavirus cases, but not so much that it feels ready to wind down its economic support policies. In a new policy statement released on Wednesday following its two day meeting, the US central bank said: “With progress on vaccinations and strong policy support, [...]
Global ETF boom continues with record inflows in first half of the year July 28, 2021 Global exchange traded funds (ETFs) attracted record inflows in the first six months of 2021, as investors poured in amid low interest rates, an equities rally and “cheap money” lending. Investors worldwide ploughed $639.8bn into ETFs between January and June, a half year record and more than double that of the same period last year, according [...]
