London tops rankings for foreign investment July 20, 2021 London tops the table of regions in the UK with the greatest amount of foreign investment, according to figures published by the ONS. The value of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the capital reached £660.8bn in 2019, representing 42 per cent of the aggregate amount of inward FDI in the UK. The value of FDI [...]
Frost expected to threaten to break with Northern Ireland Protocol on Wednesday July 19, 2021 Boris Johnson’s defacto Brexit minister has confirmed he will update parliament on the Northern Ireland Protocol this week, with rumours swirling he will threaten to deviate from the post-Brexit arrangement. Lord David Frost told a parliamentary committee meeting today that the protocol “must work in a different way if we’re to find the stable route [...]
Let’s talk logistics: Transport software firm Microlise to float in London July 19, 2021 Transport logistics software group Microlise is set to list on London’s junior market later this week, as the transport industry seeks to slash emissions amid supply chain struggles. “Our customers are under pressure to meet increased environmental regulations and want more integration across supply chains,” CEO Nadeem Raza said. “The challenges of the pandemic and [...]
‘Lower prices, more choice’: UK mulls tariff cuts for exports from developing countries July 19, 2021 The government is set to trim tariffs on UK imports from developing countries to both boost their economies and bring Brits “lower prices and more choice”. Around 70 countries currently qualify for the new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which will also introduce simpler bureaucratic rules when exporting to the UK once approved. The UK [...]
UK companies issue lowest number of profit warnings in over two decades July 19, 2021 British listed companies issued the fewest number of profit warnings in over two decades in the second quarter of this year, according to new figures released today. Research by EY shows UK listed businesses issued 32 profit warnings in the second quarter of 2021, the lowest quarterly total the firm has recorded. The low levels [...]
Scotch Malt Whisky Society owners enjoy sales growth despite Brexit export issues July 19, 2021 The Artisanal Spirits Company, the owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, has enjoyed a 28 per cent lift to online sales in the UK despite minor membership growth. Despite last year’s lockdown spurring on drinking habits, the spirits company pulled in £1.7m in the six months to 30 June, in comparison to £1.3m during [...]
Biden fundraiser Jane Hartley tapped as new US ambassador to the UK July 17, 2021 Joe Biden is set to pick Jane Hartley, a prolific Democrat fundraiser and former US ambassador to France, as the new envoy to the UK, according to diplomatic sources. It comes after weeks of deliberation over who would occupy the role – with billionaire former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, former secretary of state [...]
Government launches summer jobs site to stave off UK labour shortages July 16, 2021 The government has launched a summer jobs site in a bid to stave off labour shortages that have hit UK businesses across most sectors. The collision of the pandemic and Brexit has driven workforce shortages across construction, retail, hospitality and transport. The lorry driver shortage has also pushed production delays across other sectors, as supermarkets [...]
Pingdemic shutdown: No industry untouched by NHS Test and Trace havoc July 16, 2021 Staffing shortages have turned manufacturing, bin collections, retail, transport and healthcare upside down as the NHS Test and Trace app “pinged” more than half a million people into isolation last week. The contact tracing app’s sensitivity is now under review after reports that the app is “pinging wrong” and Brits are being told to self-isolate [...]
Analysis: New polling on ESG issues will give politicians pause July 16, 2021 New polling suggests the UK public are unconvinced by Government’s work on climate change – and what business can do about it if political heavyweights aren’t leading the charge. Here, Daisy Powell-Chandler – Head of Energy and Environment at pollster and analysis firm Public First – lays out the challenge. Anyone wondering why the Johnson [...]