KPMG creates 200 jobs in Belfast February 17, 2021 Big Four firm KPMG is creating 200 jobs in a new “centre of excellence” in Belfast. The new investment will deliver services in cyber security, applied intelligence and digital transformation. The new centre is a joint initiative between KPMG in Ireland and in the UK, and has the support of InvestNI and the Department of [...]
Before the Bell: Reflation concerns prompts yields spike while UK CPI is up next February 17, 2021 Over the past few weeks, it’s been notable that bond markets, both in the UK and in the US are starting to price the risk of higher inflation pressures, as long-term yields move to the upside. Yesterday, US 10-year treasury yields jumped sharply higher to 1.3 per cent, in a move that suggested that markets [...]
Brexit gives us the chance to refit our financial regulation for the 21st century February 17, 2021 Britain’s departure from the European Union has created a unique opportunity to re-shape our regulatory framework for financial services; setting the sector up for continued success in the years to come and maintaining the UK’s position as a globally competitive financial centre. With Brexit complete – and many regulatory powers returning to the UK for [...]
More than a third of UK small businesses pushing to trade overseas in 2021 February 16, 2021 More than a third of UK small businesses are likely to trade overseas this year, according to a YouGov survey. Lawbite surveyed 791 small businesses and found that 38 per cent are planning to trade overseas this year, which would equate to a market size of 2.28m firms. However, despite the effects of Brexit border [...]
Labour should become the party of AI and tech under Keir Starmer February 16, 2021 Sir Keir Starmer has had a rough start to 2020. The Labour leader has taken a battering in the past few weeks for a perception that Starmerism has no impetus or direction, leaving some pundits to question whether he has cut through beyond the SW1 bubble. While much of this criticism should be dismissed when [...]
All eyes on dividends: What to expect from Barclays and Natwest this week February 16, 2021 Barclays and Natwest will be the first of the major high street banks to report full year results this week. It has been a difficult 12 months with Brexit weighing on sentiment in addition to the fallout from the pandemic. All eyes will be on dividend payments after the Prudential Regulation Authority effectively banned payouts [...]
Brothers in qualms: Goldman and Clifford Chance City bros charged with insider dealing and fraud February 16, 2021 Two brothers, one working for Goldman Sachs and the other for Clifford Chance, have been charged with insider dealing and fraud offences. Following an investigation, city watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has commenced criminal proceedings against Mohammed and Suhail Zina. The proceedings relate to six offences of insider dealing, and three offences of fraud [...]
Breaking: Bitcoin smashes through $50,000 February 16, 2021 BREAKING NEWS: Bitcoin value surges above $50,000.
EU Brexit chief Maros Sefcovic says Northern Ireland issues to be fixed by 24 February February 16, 2021 European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic has told Irish lawmakers today that he wants Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit issues solved next week. Sefcovic, who is in charge of UK-EU relations for Brussels, said he wanted the border problems solved by the end of his meeting with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove on 24 February. He also [...]
Proposals to help self-employed and directors backed by cross-party MPs February 16, 2021 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) chairman has said the government needs to act to help the businesses that fell through the gaps in business support requirements. In response to the Treasury Committee’s Economic Impact of Coronavirus inquiry update this morning, FSB chairman Mike Cherry said: “The government urgently needs to come forward with a [...]