MPs to probe if SMEs can get cash they need – or if the government should step in July 3, 2023 The Treasury Committee has launched a new inquiry into the problems small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in accessing financing. Over the next couple of months the cross-party group of MPs will explore issues in the industry and how regulation and government can respond. Harriett Baldwin, chair of the Committee said: “Small businesses are the [...]
The Notebook: Neil Bennett on scale-up funding, bounce-back Britain and a Love Supreme June 14, 2023 Roll up, roll up ladies and gentlemen for the greatest sale on earth, a once in a generation opportunity to snap up corporate assets at unrepeatable prices. If you don’t, my (imaginary) new investment firm, Car Boot Capital, will certainly do so. It is a truth universally acknowledged that we are living through a liquidity [...]
Forget the Parthenon – Why alternative Athens is a must June 12, 2023 Away from the historical monuments, Ash Hiden gets to grips with Athens’ vibrant food and drink scene You will want to see the Parthenon. I get it. The imposing temple on the hill of the Acropolis serves as an ancient advertisement for Athens, stamping your mental passport like a marble version of the Hollywood Sign. [...]
Eurostar forced to suspend London-Amsterdam route June 5, 2023 Eurostar’s London to Amsterdam route will be suspended for at least a year due to engineering works in the Dutch capital, it has been confirmed today. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “We have received confirmation from the Dutch government that Eurostar will not be able to run the Amsterdam route from June 2024 until April [...]
Aspects of love, London, review: Flatly ridiculous, utterly gorgeous Michael Ball musical May 26, 2023 Aspects of Love review and star rating: ★★★★ I think I must be mad, but I really enjoyed this absolutely morally bankrupt musical about a weirdly incestual group that all seem to have sex with each other, no matter their relation to one another, and no matter how flatly ridiculous it all seems. I’ve never [...]
Ben Affleck goes back to basics in cop thriller Hypnotic May 26, 2023 Before he suits up as Batman for The Flash, Ben Affleck plays a cop on the trail of a killer in Hypnotic. His character, Danny Rourke, is tormented by the kidnapping of his daughter. His determination to continue with his job puts him on the trail of “Hypnotic” Dellrayne (William Fichtner), a person who uses [...]
Sara Cox interview: ‘When I lost my dog, I threw myself into work’ May 25, 2023 Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox on putting her naughty dog on probation, why she’s supporting the Dog’s Trust, and how you can too, by Adam Bloodworth Her popular Radio 2 show is just one facet of Sara Cox: she’s also mad about animals and making life better for them here in the UK. The former [...]
Planet Crypto: Gary Gensler denies overreaching and demands to be allowed to ‘get on with becoming the King of England!’ April 28, 2023 Some say Gary Gensler has been getting above himself, but Planet Crypto see he's too busy with his coronation to care.
Game Over? CMA block of Activision deal to set the tone for other regulators April 26, 2023 The UK competition regulator today blocked Microsoft’s $70bn bid for the video game publisher, Activision Blizzard, citing concerns over competition in a fledgling cloud market. The move by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to scupper the deal — Microsoft’s largest acquisition — comes as a blow to the tech giant, which has already announced [...]
How Paul O’Grady’s funeral will feature his beloved dogs April 20, 2023 The funeral of Paul O’Grady happens later today and the dogs he loved so much are playing a huge part. Battersea Dogs and Cats home will bring some of their dogs to perform a guard of honour for O’Grady at the church in Aldington, Kent, the village the presenter and former drag star called home. [...]