Happiness should play role in measuring growth, says CBI chief economist November 18, 2019 Britain’s financial system has long been viewed through the lens of output and productivity, but now the Confederation of British Industry is calling for a more unconventional way of measuring growth: happiness. The CBI’s chief economist said today that the government and businesses should take into account “much more holistic measures” than productivity levels when [...]
St James’s Place City of London office on sale for £76m November 18, 2019 The owner of the St James’s Place office in the City of London has put the building up for sale for £76.1m. McKay Securities, a real estate investment trust focused on office and industrial property in London and the south east, is looking for buyers for 30 Lombard Street, which is completely let to the [...]
Jeremy Corbyn ‘investment blitz’ pitch to businesses draws frosty response November 18, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn has said an “investment blitz” would create “immense” opportunities for businesses under a Labour government in a pitch to corporate Britain. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference in London, Corbyn sought to appeal to firms by saying Labour’s Brexit policy would provide “the certainty of a customs union and access to the single [...]
Gourmet Burger Kitchen widens losses after £16m restructuring hit November 18, 2019 Casual dining chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) suffered widening losses last year after taking a £15.7m hit on its restaurant closure programme. The burger restaurant completed a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) during the period, which saw it shutter 24 sites, contributing to a pre-tax loss of £24.3m in the year ended 24 February, compared to [...]
Boris Johnson postpones corporation tax cut November 18, 2019 The Conservatives have shelved plans to cut corporation tax from 19 per cent to 17 per cent. Boris Johnson made the announcement at the CBI conference in London this morning. Read more: Sajid Javid will remain chancellor if Conservatives win the election He said the change had been made to free up funding for the [...]
Labour’s nationalisation plans: The threat and opportunity November 18, 2019 The Labour Party is expected to release its manifesto this week, with leader Jeremy Corbyn promising to publish “the most transformative, radical and exciting programme ever put before the British electorate”. The party is set to recommit to some of its major pledges made in 2017, including plans to bring energy, water, rail and mail [...]
Boris Johnson to woo businesses with extensive tax breaks November 18, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today offer British companies a series of tax cuts and breaks as he seeks to mend his relationship with the country’s firms. Read more: Boris Johnson’s Conservative party opens up 17-point poll lead In a speech to the annual CBI conference in London Johnson will pledge to cut the taxes [...]
Listed law firm DWF beats Brexit gloom to grow revenue November 18, 2019 Listed law firm DWF managed to boost its revenues in the first half despite persistent political uncertainty, it said today. In a trading statement to the City, DWF said it had increased group revenues by at least 10 per cent in the six months to the end of October. Read more: Listed law firm DWF [...]
How the pound could react to a Tory General Election victory November 18, 2019 Buffeted by Brexit and a global economic slowdown, the pound has had a wild ride in 2019. Now, City economists believe sterling is at a crossroads, with the upcoming General Election poised to send sterling soaring – or diving. A Conservative majority could fire the pound above $1.40, analysts said, but a Labour victory may [...]
Sajid Javid: My pitch to the businesses of Britain November 18, 2019 Britain’s 6m businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They have driven employment to record highs, with wages outstripping inflation. And they have made our country a hotbed of furious innovation in products and services. We would all like to see higher economic growth — after a decade of recovery from the last Labour government [...]