O2-Virgin Media merger: The deal makes sense, but could rival bids crash the party? May 4, 2020 It’s a busy time for the telecoms industry, which has been forced into overdrive as millions of people turn to mobile and broadband services during the coronavirus lockdown. So it may seem like an unlikely time to embark on a mega-merger, but this is exactly what O2 and Virgin Media are looking to do. Parent [...]
Exclusive: Car industry calls for coronavirus stimulus to jumpstart recovery May 4, 2020 The UK car industry has called for a government stimulus package and extended furlough support to help it recover from the coronavirus crisis. Speaking to City A.M., Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the government will need to jumpstart the sector in order to get demand going [...]
Telefonica confirms talks to merge O2 with Virgin Media May 4, 2020 O2’s Spanish parent company has confirmed reports that it is in discussions with Liberty Global over a potential merger with Virgin Media. Telefonica this morning said it has just begun talks with Virgin Media owner Liberty, which is led by telecoms billionaire John Malone, over a tie-up between the British mobile operator and cable company. [...]
UK house prices: Experts predict sharp recovery after coronavirus lockdown May 1, 2020 UK house prices could rebound after the coronavirus lockdown eases, after they grew at the fastest pace since 2017 before the crisis, Nationwide said today. The value of British homes grew at their fastest rate since February 2017 before the coronavirus lockdown brought the market crashing to a halt, Nationwide data released today showed. UK [...]
The City View podcast, from City A.M., with Vivienne Artz May 1, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Vivienne Artz, President of Women in Banking and Finance, and Chief Privacy Officer at data giant Refinitiv. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Vivienne reflects on the way in which our attitudes to data have changed during the pandemic and the [...]
Brexit trade deal ‘won’t happen’ unless EU changes fisheries stance by June April 30, 2020 The UK’s Brexit negotiating team does not expect a trade deal to be done before the 31 December deadline if the EU does not change its position on fisheries and the so-called level playing field by June. The two areas have become major flashpoints in the first two rounds of UK-EU talks, with negotiators from [...]
SMMT: UK car production falls 38 per cent, 10 times worse than Brexit drops April 30, 2020 The coronavirus crisis hammered British car manufacturing in March, with the total number of vehicles produced falling 37.6 per cent compared to a year ago. Just 78,767 vehicles left factory gates last month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That is 47,428 fewer than the previous year, as the coronavirus crisis [...]
Brexit Steves face off: Baker slams Barclay’s Treasury committee performance April 29, 2020 Tory backbencher Steve Baker has hit out at Treasury minister Steve Barclay for avoiding questions in a fiery House of Commons committee hearing. Baker, a prominent Eurosceptic, said afterward that Barclay, a former Brexit secretary, “avoided saying anything new or noteworthy” and that the Treasury would be happy as a result of his performance. Barclay [...]
Coronavirus: Fake news that an elderly lockdown is remainer revenge could spread April 29, 2020 The attention of policy makers has been focused on the science of how viruses either spread or are contained in social networks. Just as crucial in the current circumstances is the spread of beliefs and behaviour. Will people continue to observe social distancing once the lockdown is eased, or will they revert to pre-lockdown patterns [...]
Renewed calls for change to UK’s post-Brexit immigration system April 28, 2020 There have been fresh calls for the government to amend its post-Brexit immigration proposals in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis. Home secretary Priti Patel laid out the government’s proposal for a post-Brexit EU immigration system in February, which included a requirement for applicants to have a job offer with a wage of £25,560 or [...]