Business secretary: Windfall tax not the answer May 1, 2022 Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has voiced firm opposition to a windfall tax on oil and gas companies despite Chancellor Rishi Sunak raising the possibility. The Cabinet minister was adamant that it would be a “disincentive” to investment by energy giants despite his colleague in the Treasury using the threat to encourage spending, as their profits [...]
Oil prices recover as Germany lifts opposition to Russian import ban April 29, 2022 Oil prices have risen for a fourth consecutive day with concerns over Russian supply disruptions trumping reduced demand in China.
Natwest’s profits soar as high interest rates boost bank’s mortgage business April 29, 2022 Natwest today said its profits had almost doubled since the previous quarter, despite inflation, the cost-of-living crisis, and the war in Ukraine. The bank said it had generated £841m in profits in the first quarter of 2022, up 93.8 per cent compared to the £434m in profits Natwest posted in Q4 2021. The first quarter [...]
Glass Lewis drums up rebellion against NatWest chief’s £5m payout April 28, 2022 One of the world’s biggest shareholder representation groups is urging investors in NatWest to rebel against an over £5m payout to the bank’s boss. Alison Rose, the bank’s chief, is set to net the first significant executive pay upgrade since NatWest fell back into private hands last month for the first time since it was [...]
It would be ‘silly’ to provide households with more support before price cap update, says Rishi Sunak April 28, 2022 Chancellor Rishi Sunak plays down the prospect of immediate support for households despite mounting pressure on consumers.
Barclays kicks shareholder goodies into long grass again after $15bn trading blunder April 28, 2022 British banking giant Barclays has kicked its share buyback programme into the long grass for the second time after it booked huge costs to draw a line under an unprecedented trading blunder, it announced today. The lender last month said it had sold more than $15bn (£12bn) of financial products than it was allowed to, [...]
UK high street lenders whipsaw on muddled day of trading in the City April 27, 2022 The UK’s biggest high street lenders whipsawed in the City today after giving up morning gains that initially boosted London’s top indexes. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.53 per cent higher at 7,425.61 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, dipped [...]
Calls for mandatory levy resurface as industry clamps down on gambling harms and cost of living crunch April 27, 2022 GambleAware has called for a mandatory one per cent levy on post winning earnings from gambling operators as the government heads for industry reform.
The City View: August CEO Mélie Dunod on rethinking holiday home co-ownership April 27, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Mélie Dunod, CEO and co-founder of holiday home co-ownership firm August. She talks us through the company’s inception; why their equity purchase model allows for better and more transparent co-ownership; and the post-Covid re-examination of lifestyle purchases. And in the news: law giant Eversheds Sutherland has re-entered Russia, striking a [...]
Exclusive: Millions of London tenants should brace themselves for rent increase of £1,000+ this year April 27, 2022 Millions of Londoners who currently rent in the capital face an increase in their housing costs of more than £1k this year. As energy bills climb and the cost of living crisis rages, London remains by far the least affordable region of the UK rental market, with the average tenant currently paying £21,140 per year. [...]