BT to create 1,700 new jobs in a bid to bolster Britain’s boffin status March 2, 2017 BT will create 1,700 new apprenticeship and graduate positions in push to train up the UK's youngsters. The firm today announced the new positions which, it said, would boost "tech literacy within the UK so that the country remains a digital leader". "Young people today need three basic skills – reading, writing, and tech know-how," [...]
Chancellor is “personally committed” to finding a solution after insurers call for discount rate law change this year March 1, 2017 Insurance leaders called on the government to set a new discount rate this year in an attempt to mitigate the catastrophic effects of its decision to cut the rate on Monday. Justice secretary Liz Truss surprised insurers by cutting the personal injury discount rate, which takes into account the long-term cost of care and loss of [...]
Bunzl agrees $160m deal to buy not-for-resale US competitor March 1, 2017 Support services giant Bunzl has snapped up a US competitor labelled a "mini-Bunzl" in a deal understood to be worth around $160m (£129m). Diversified Distribution Systems (DDS), a distributor of not-for-resale items to retailers and other general distribution customers, primarily in North America, is a large purchase for the acquisitive Bunzl, which splashed out £184m during 2016. Analysts [...]
Sky takeover: 21st Century to lodge deal papers with European authorities, firing the starting pistol on regulatory approval process March 1, 2017 Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox will take one step closer to sealing its takeover of Sky by lodging documents with European authorities this week. Fox is expected to ask Brussels to approve the deal, a move that starts the clock on 10-day window for culture secretary Karen Bradley to open an investigation into the £11.7bn bid to take control [...]
Sky internet blackout: Vauxhall workmen blamed for broadband outage that hit tens of thousands of customers March 1, 2017 More than 50,000 Sky broadband customers in London suffered a service blackout after bungling south London workmen severed underground fibre cables and a response team took several hours to get to the scene of the incident. The network shutdown started at 4.30pm yesterday evening, with an inspection team taking three hours to get to the scene. Problems were rectified [...]
UEFA Champions League auction: BT and Sky prepare bids but could others come to the party? February 28, 2017 BT and Sky will go head-to-head in a near billion pound battle over the UK television rights for European Champions League football. A tender process kicks off with bids needing to be in tomorrow to secure the rights that also include the Europa League and will run for three years starting from the 2018/19 season. BT Sport is the incumbent provider [...]
Johnson Service Group says laundering success is good news for Britain February 28, 2017 Johnson Service Group, the UK's largest rental workwear and laundry firm, today revealed bumper annual results. A 45 per cent growth in the firm's profits was good news for the UK, according to boss Chris Sander, who labelled the company a "barometer of Britain's financial health". Read more: In a spin: CMA suggests laundry services broke competition law The Aim-quoted outfit [...]
Vodafone boss: Post-Brexit continental calling costs are unlikely to rise February 28, 2017 Britons are not facing the possibility of sharp rises in charges for phone use on the European continent after the UK leaves with the EU, the boss of Vodafone said today. Concerns have been voiced that Brexit would lead to customers being slapped with hikes in call costs. But Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao said today at the [...]
Pensions triple lock: Labour calls for government to preserve payment structure beyond 2020 February 28, 2017 Labour will today demand that the government guarantees the pensions triple lock beyond 2020. In a speech on intergenerational fairness, Debbie Abrahams, Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, will say the current commitments by the Conservative government are not enough. The triple lock increases state pension payments annually by either inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent, whichever is highest. The [...]
Arqiva cashes in on previous investments while eyeing up new technology for future growth February 27, 2017 Telecoms infrastructure firm Arqiva has raked in the cash over the last six months, growing its business by 10 per cent. The Macquarie-backed firm, which owns 8,000 tower sites across the UK, added today that more was yet to come, with an order book of £5.6bn. Read more: 5G to come to central London in 2017 Chief executive Simon [...]
