BBC Three relaunch faces delay as Ofcom opens competition probe July 20, 2021 The BBC’s plans to relaunch BBC Three as a traditional TV channel have been put in doubt after Ofcom said it would launch a full competition investigation into the proposal. Earlier this year the public service broadcaster said BBC Three would return to screens six years after it was made online-only as part of a [...]
China: Claims of Microsoft hack are “malicious” July 20, 2021 Chinese officials have hit back at claims that they were behind a global hack of Microsoft’s email exchange. The US, UK and their Western allies had together accused China as being the driving force behind a hack of the software giant’s email platform earlier this year. Some 30,000 organisations across the globe discovered their confidential [...]
Bitcoin price slumps amid wider market crash July 20, 2021 Bitcoin has slipped below $30k this morning for the first time in almost a month.
Why off-street parking could add 20% to the price of a top London property July 20, 2021 When you think of the bleeding edge of the PCL property market, of the difference between a £3m flat in Chelsea and one that’s worth a mere £2m, you might conjure images of exquisitely-preserved period features or green rooftop oases. But the prime concern may be something a little more prosaic: off street parking. As [...]
Fake reviews could be outlawed in consumer protection overhaul July 20, 2021 Paying for someone to write or host fake reviews online could be made illegal under new plans to ramp up protection for consumers. The government has unveiled proposals to crack down on fake reviews as part of a wider package of measures targeting “consumer catfishers” who use dodgy tactics to dupe online shoppers. It has [...]
Zurich UK switches $1bn into new ESG benchmark to cut its carbon emissions July 20, 2021 Zurich UK has switched almost $1bn (£73m) of its investment portfolio into a new ESG benchmark in a bid to reduce its carbon emissions. The insurance giant said, in an announcement today, the new benchmark will deliver a 30 per cent reduction in emissions as well as “enhanced” ESG outcomes, compared to its parent index. [...]
£15bn worth of London homes sit empty, as Londoners squabble over supply July 20, 2021 The value of London’s homes sat empty has racked up to £15bn, according to new data, as a rung on the property ladders edges further away from Londoners. London has made a name for itself as a destination for ultra-wealthy buyers to snap up prime real estate as assets and holiday homes, while prospective homeowners [...]
Number of new businesses in UK increases by 14 per cent despite pandemic impact July 20, 2021 The number of new businesses started in the UK increased by 14 per cent in the last year despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, outpacing the global average of a 6 per cent increase in business start-ups. A study by UHY, the international accountancy network, shows that there were 726,000 new businesses created in [...]
Apollo pulls out of Morrisons takeover talks but could join Fortress-led bid July 20, 2021 Apollo Global Management has pulled out of its takeover talks to acquire Morrisons, but is in discussions to join the group leading the charge to buy the British supermarket chain. In a statement published this morning, the private equity firm said: “Apollo confirms that it does not intend to make an offer for Morrisons other [...]
Number 10 slaps down London minister for saying people can ignore Covid app July 20, 2021 Downing Street has quickly slapped down London minister Paul Scully for saying it is optional to self-isolate after being pinged by the NHS Covid Test and Trace app. A Number 10 spokesperson said it is “crucial people isolate when they are told to do so” in a clear rebuke to Scully. The minister said this [...]
