Watchdog slams KPMG for ‘unacceptable’ bank audits for third year running July 26, 2021 KPMG has been called out for failing to meet standards in its bank audits for the third year in a row, by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in a review published on Friday, that found that a third of large company audits by the biggest UK firms failed to meet standards. The industry watchdog called [...]
Swedish drinks firm Kopparberg sues HMRC over tax loophole July 26, 2021 Swedish cider maker Kopparberg has filed a High Court claim against HM Revenue and Customs over allegations of unlawful tax discrimination. The popular booze brand argues that the UK applied excessive duties on imported alcoholic ciders by allowing domestic producers to dilute their products to avoid taxes. The tax loophole, known as post duty point [...]
Moon-day madness as Jeff Bezos rumoured to be looking at Bitcoin payments for Amazon July 26, 2021 Yesterday marked Bitcoin's sixth consecutive day in the green, during which time it increased more than 20 per cent in value
Government refuses to rule out ban on unvaccinated students going to university July 26, 2021 The government has refused to rule out a ban on unvaccinated students returning to university amid reports Boris Johnson is actively pushing the issue. The Prime Minister has reportedly made low take-up rates of the Covid vaccine among 18-30-year-olds one of his priorities, particularly over the autumn and winter months. The Times reported today that [...]
London flooding: More rain as Londoners call out climate change July 26, 2021 London saw more rain yesterday which flooded roads, tube stations and homes, just days after health warnings were issued amid 30C heat. Government flood warnings and alerts have been issued to several areas around the city, with neighbourhoods nearby rivers hosting the most warnings. Areas like Harrow, Hillingdon, Ravensbourne through Lewisham, Bromley and Greenwich have [...]
Heathrow warns UK falling behind Europe as losses hit £2.9bn July 26, 2021 Heathrow Airport this morning warned that it was falling behind European rivals because of the continuing restrictions on international travel. The UK’s largest airport said it had racked up losses of £2.9bn over the past six months, as vaccination travel rules and pricey tests continue to hamper the airline industry’s recovery. Passenger numbers remain a [...]
Call centre operators merge in £300m deal July 26, 2021 Call centre operators CallCare and alldayPA are merging in a £300 million deal, The Sunday Times has reported. They are two of the UK’s biggest call centres and employ approximately 2,500 people in their 24-hour call centres. Call centres have reported that their on-demand services have gained popularity during the pandemic. Their activity has been [...]
Two London hospitals announce major incident after severe flooding in the capital and south east July 26, 2021 The Environment Agency has six flood warnings in place across the country’s south east as the major incidents continue to affect two of the capital’s hospitals. Whipps Cross Hospital has announced it has been forced to evacuate around 100 inpatients owing to flooding. An entire block is currently without power with no timeline as yet [...]
Visitors migrate back to London’s West End as venues throw open their doors July 26, 2021 Visitors are beginning to migrate back to London’s tourism spots like the West End, as last week’s ‘Freedom Day’ meant theatres and clubs could throw open their doors for the first time in over a year. Last week’s heatwave meant locals and visitors alike could make the most out of London’s reopening – before the [...]
Lloyd’s insurance appoints Lord Sedwill to council as deputy chair July 26, 2021 Lloyd’s has today announced that Mark Sedwill will join Lloyd’s council and succeed as the new senior independent director and deputy chair of the insurance marketplace. Bruce Carnegie-Brown, chairman of Lloyd’s, said of the appointment: “As one of the most respected figures in modern British diplomacy, and a former head of the UK civil service, [...]