EE to launch superspeed 4G trial in London – Download a 2GB movie in 57 seconds October 16, 2013 Network operator EE has announced the launch of a range of new 4G plans, alongside the trial of a 300Mbps network in London. That superfast trial will start this November, with a wider rollout planned for 2014. To give an idea of just how fast 300Mbps is – A standard definition movie weighs in at [...]
Shutdown prevents official US inflation release – but other estimates suggest prices aren’t rising October 16, 2013 If the US government wasn't in shutdown, we would have just put up a post about the latest inflation data. Sadly, the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) isn't publishing that data, and estimates of price changes in September will have to wait. But just because the BLS figures aren't on hand doesn't mean that we [...]
JD Wetherspoon slams unsustainable taxes on pub sector October 16, 2013 JD Wetherspoon's 2013 annual report has shown pre-tax profits fall by three per cent to £57.1m in the 52 weeks ended 28 July as it warns that heavy taxation threatens the pub sector. There was some good news for shareholders with earnings per share, before exceptional items, increasing 12.6 per cent, along with revenue growth [...]
Water regulator blocks eight per cent price rise October 16, 2013 Water regulator Ofwat will block an eight per cent rise by Thames Water, according to it's draft decision published on Wednesday. The regulator is responsible for setting prices for the water companies every five years and would only allow an above inflation price rise of 1.4 per cent for 2014/15. The price increase will come [...]
Financial services complaints fall by 500,000 in six months as Barclays receives over 370,000 October 16, 2013 Consumer complaints to the financial conduct authority (FCA) have dropped by 500,000 between the second half of 2012 and the first half of 2013. Ian McConnell, financial services partner at PwC, says that the fall is "encouraging" and shows "that the issues faced by the financial services industry are being dealt with." McConnell says the [...]
France heralds new era of tobacconist banking October 16, 2013 France's vast network of tobacconists will now be able to offer something more than a packet of cigarettes and a metro card. French company, Nickel, will be offering retail banking services through the country's tobacconists. The Nickel account will offer customers a debit card and a current account for €20 (£16.91). At a time of [...]
Largest claimant count drop since June 1997 October 16, 2013 Stronger than expected jobs data was released this morning, as the UK saw the largest drop in the claimant count since June 1997 in September. The headline unemployment rate remains unchanged at 7.7 per cent in the three months to August, as anticipated by analysts. More details and analysis on the liveblog.
Claimant count sees biggest fall since June 1997 as unemployment rate stays flat October 16, 2013 Unemployment is unchanged in the UK – now at 7.7 per cent in the three months to August. Last month the figure was at 7.7 per cent, and economists had forecast no change. The number unemployed fell by 18,000 to 2.48m, but that wasn't enough to affect the headline rate. Employment rose by 155,000 to [...]
Investors hope 11th hour deal will prevent US default October 16, 2013 As the United States faces a default scenario if a deal is not agreed today, many now expect a sovereign debt downgrade as Fitch has put the country's current AAA rating on negative watch. Investors are hoping that there will be an 11th hour deal, as there was before the fiscal cliff in 2012. Ishaq [...]
Apple event announced for next Tuesday – New iPads and Macs expected October 15, 2013 A widely speculated Apple launch event will take place next Tuesday, 22 October. Among the devices we're expecting are the new MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, as well as the iPad 5 and iPad 2 mini. None of that's certain, but recent events have made the promise of Apple chief Tim Cook look rather silly. [...]
