Post-Brexit Special: UK business leaders on access to EU talent January 28, 2021 Since the turn of the year, UK companies exporting into the EU have to fill out a set of customs declaration forms and some goods, like agricultural products, have to undergo rigorous checks at the border. This has led to border disruption and delays. These issues are scrutinised in the first instalment of this 2-part [...]
Govt will no longer review workers’ rights post-Brexit, minister says January 28, 2021 A planned review into UK workers’ rights has been halted, with business minister Kwasi Kwarteng saying the government is not looking to dilute employment protections post-Brexit. Last week, Kwarteng rejected rumours that he was planning to end the 48-hour working week, wanted to amend rules around rest breaks, and would exclude overtime pay when calculating [...]
UK banks urged to scrap branch closures during lockdown January 28, 2021 Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority has today told banks to rethink moves to close branches during lockdown. The FCA said banks should consider the impact of national restrictions on their ability to comply with regulatory guidance on closing branches. The authority released a statement today urging banks to consult any customers that are affected directly. The [...]
J20 and Tango owner Britvic suffers slump in sales due to hospitality restrictions January 28, 2021 Soft drinks group Britvic, which owns J2O, R White’s lemonade and Robinsons, suffered a slump in sales in the first quarter due to restrictions on pubs, bars and restaurants. The FTSE 250 firm said this morning that total revenue declined 9.8 per cent to £328.1m in the three months ended 31 December. The Hemel Hempstead-based [...]
It’s retail traders, Jim, but not as you know it! January 28, 2021 Crypto at a Glance If Bitcoin is f*ck you money, does that make GameStop a f*ck you stock? All eyes this week have been on Reddit traders, who have arrived at the blackjack tables fully armed with their sacks of pennies and battered old card counting books, ready to bankrupt the casino through sheer numbers [...]
Renewable energy production surpasses fossil fuels in 2020 January 28, 2021 Renewable energy sources surpassed fossil fuel energy production in the UK for the first time ever in 2020, led by wind power generation. According to analysis by think tank Ember, renewable sources provided 42 per cent of the UK’s energy, while fossil fuel sources like gas produced 41 per cent. The remaining 17 per cent [...]
Joules mulls hiking prices for shoppers to offset rising Brexit costs January 28, 2021 Fashion retailer Joules has warned it is considering increasing prices for consumers as it revealed that Brexit had disrupted exports and could cost it an extra £1m per year. Joules said that, despite its preparation for the end of the transition agreement, exports to certain EU markets had suffered, with Germany being particularly impacted. The [...]
EU and AstraZeneca hold crisis talks to resolve Covid vaccines row January 28, 2021 The EU and UK-based Covid vaccine maker AstraZeneca have vowed to resolve clashes over supply shortages after “constructive” crisis talks. Production issues means that AstraZeneca can deliver only a fraction of the doses promised to the EU in the first quarter of the year, leading to shortages across the 27-member bloc. The EU has remained [...]
Hunter becomes the hunted: property firm sold to TPFG for £24m January 28, 2021 Real estate firm Hunters agreed this morning to a takeover by The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) to create an enlarged franchised estate agent with just over 400 branches. TPFG is set to acquire Hunters for £24m after the approval of the firm’s founder, chairman and MP Kevin Hollinrake. The acquisition should allow for cost synergies [...]
Brexit Transition: what businesses must do now January 28, 2021 The UK and the EU wrapped up a trade deal on Christmas Eve, bringing to an end years of negotiations. But though a deal has been struck, that doesn’t mean nothing’s changing. The UK has left the EU, and December 31 marked the end of the Brexit Transition period. The UK’s fresh start means that [...]