Fresh talks to go ahead between Southern rail and Aslef union to try and put the brakes on the strike saga February 20, 2017 Fresh talks will be held between Southern rail and train drivers' union Aslef after members of the union rejected a previously agreed deal last week. The agreement was expected to bring the row over the so-called driver-only operated trains to a close and end the ongoing industrial action that had disrupted the network, subject to the referendum [...]
Bovis Homes takes £7m customer service hit as shares slump on falling profits February 20, 2017 Shares in Bovis Homes slumped around eight per cent this morning after the house builder counted the cost of customer service problems. Shares were down 7.86 per cent to 774.89p at the time of writing, after opening around 10 per cent lower, following the housebuilder saying this will be the year "when we reset the business" after a "difficult" [...]
BMW bosses meet union reps for crunch talks to avoid strike chaos at Mini and Rolls-Royce February 20, 2017 BMW bosses meet with union representatives today in a bid to avoid industrial action in a row over what Unite has described as "pensions robbery". Unite has warned BMW to brace itself for "serious industrial action" involving some 7,000 car workers should the car company "continue to ignore their concerns". Strikes are on the horizon at BMW [...]
Brits plan to ditch US holidays for Canada and Mexico as the President causes a Trump slump in travel February 20, 2017 Much has been made about the Trump bump on Wall Street, but over in the UK there's been something of a Trump slump when it comes to US travel. So says global flight platform Cheapflights, which has found that just under a third of Brits have been put off holidaying in the US because of President [...]
TfL awards Barclaycard 10-year contract that’ll include the roll out of contactless on the Elizabeth Line February 20, 2017 Barclaycard has retained its contract providing payment solutions to Transport for London (TfL), securing a new 10-year contract that includes the roll-out of contactless for the Elizabeth Line. The awarding of the £380m contract is for seven years with an option of extending for a further three years. Barclaycard will help TfL roll out contactless for [...]
It’s lift off for government plans to bolster UK space sector as new legal powers could soon send scientists into space February 20, 2017 New powers unveiled this week will allow British scientists to fly to the edge of space to conduct medical experiments. UK scientists could research and develop vaccines and antibiotics up in space, which grow differently where there is no gravity. The government said today that the powers will allow the launch of satellites from the [...]
The HS2 cost for taxpayers could top £90bn, warns the TaxPayers’ Alliance February 20, 2017 HS2 costs could top £90bn, if the high-speed rail project follows in the footsteps of other government-managed, large infrastructure projects, according to a think tank. The TaxPayers' Alliance has warned that taxpayers should "take no comfort" in government insistence that HS2 will be delivered on budget, given an "appalling track record". Ministers had said the London 2012 [...]
The Department for Transport (DfT) wants Google, Uber and co. on board to help run HS2 February 19, 2017 The government is considering plans for tech giants to be involved in running the new HS2 service and is encouraging the likes of Uber and Google to buy minority stakes in the franchise that will serve the train line. The plans, considering a range of innovative firms as possible investors, have been floated by the transport department in [...]
Jim Ratcliffe’s petrochemical company Ineos reports record profits of £3.7bn for last year February 19, 2017 Britain's biggest privately owned firm announced record profits last year, bolstered by low oil prices. The chemicals company run by Jim Ratcliffe reported underlying profits of €4.3bn (£3.7bn) for 2016, up from €4bn the year before. Pre-tax profits rose to about €3bn. The company, which is comprised of 27 businesses, is also repaying €1.2bn from its cash resources. Read more: Ineos [...]
Uber goes on a charm offensive by offering drivers free English courses and tips on how to make more money February 16, 2017 Uber is making efforts to improve its app for UK drivers, as part of a new charm offensive, including offering free English courses. Transport for London (TfL) delayed its new English tests until September, but Uber has said it will offer free courses for its drivers ahead of then. The ride-hailing app will also now allow [...]
