Flybe share price nosedives after Stobart Group abandons offer for airline March 22, 2018 The owner of London Southend Airport this morning said it was pulling its interest in regional airline Flybe and won't be making an offer for the carrier. Shares in Flybe dived on the news, sinking 25 per cent in early trading. In a statement this morning, Stobart Group said it had been "unable to reach [...]
Elizabeth Line latest: Crossrail reveals images of new London stations ahead of December launch March 22, 2018 Construction of the Elizabeth Line has now entered the final stages, with work underway to wrap up the stations and tunnels ahead of the December launch. Now new images by Crossrail Ltd show the progress made so far ahead of handing over the completed infrastructure to Transport for London (TfL) this summer. TfL will lead [...]
These have just been ranked the world’s most – and least – corrupt countries March 21, 2018 New Zealand and Denmark fared best in the latest rankings of the most and least corrupt countries in the world for 2017. The UK had an improved standing – moving from the 10th least corrupt country in the world to joint 8th. Other countries, including Syria, Yemen and Australia, declined. The Corruption Perceptions Index, which [...]
UK, US, Germany and France issue joint statement condemning Russia for ‘assault on UK sovereignty’ in nerve agent attack row March 15, 2018 The UK has issued a joint statement with France, Germany and the US condemning the Salisbury attack on an ex-Russian spy, calling it "an assault on UK sovereignty" and threatening "the security of us all". They agreed that Russia being behind the attack was the only plausible explanation. In a statement, the leaders said: This [...]
Work on the London Overground Barking Riverside extension is months behind schedule March 14, 2018 Construction has yet to start on the £263m Barking Riverside Overground extension, but work is already months behind schedule due to design issues impeding the procurement process. There have been troubles with the issue of the main works tender due to "design complexities", and that is now 148 days – nearly five months – behind [...]
Oxford Street pedestrianisation on track to tie-in with Elizabeth Line launch after public backs proposals March 13, 2018 The radical plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street tying in with the Elizabeth Line launch in December were given a boost today, as the results of a massive consultation revealed public backing for the project. More than 22,000 responses were received on the plans to switch up the capital's famous shopping street, with nearly two-thirds of [...]
Melrose has just announced a final offer for GKN of £8.1bn and warns against “hasty fire-sale” of GKN businesses March 12, 2018 Melrose confirmed this morning it has increased its offer for FTSE 100 giant GKN to £8.1bn. It said this will be a final offer of 467p per share and would mean GKN shareholders would own 60 per cent of Melrose – up from 57 per cent, and receive £1.4bn in cash. Shares in GKN were [...]
Sir Nick Clegg has become chairman at on-demand social care startup Cera March 10, 2018 Sir Nick Clegg has been appointed chairman of the advisory board of a homecare startup founded by a former NHS doctor. Clegg joins the board of Cera, which was started by Mahiben Maruthappu in an effort to help tackle the social care crisis. Read more: Nick Clegg admits "soft Brexit" hopes are dead The startup, [...]
Lloyds Banking Group kicks off £1bn share buyback programme March 8, 2018 Lloyds Banking Group this morning launched its £1bn share buyback programme, unveiled at its full-year results last month. The bank said it had entered into an agreement with UBS to carry out the share buyback programme on its behalf – and to make trading decisions under the programme independently. The programme starts today and will [...]
Qatar Airways is launching direct flights to London Gatwick from Doha March 7, 2018 Qatar Airways said today it will launch direct flights to London's Gatwick Airport from 22 May with double-daily services from Doha. Gatwick's boss Stewart Wingate said the new flights bolster the airport's business credentials with Qatar "an important business destination, particularly for those working in finance, infrastructure, oil and gas". He added: "This new route [...]