UK government public sector net borrowing falls to lowest November total in a decade, says the Office for National Statistics December 21, 2017 While consumers may be racking up the debt as Christmas creeps closer, chancellor Philip Hammond has managed to keep a lid on the UK’s public sector borrowing. Statistics released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed public sector net borrowing fell by £200m to £8.7bn in November 2017 – the lowest November total [...]
“Shun bitcoin” amid price bubble and “bite at blockchain” says UBS December 21, 2017 Bitcoin is a bubble and should be shunned, according to a top wealth manager, but you should be “biting at blockchain” – the technology which underpins the cryptocurrency – predicting it to be an industry worth billions in the next decade. “We do not see Bitcoin as a viable investment and instead see opportunities in [...]
Last minute Christmas gifts: Now you can easily give bitcoin thanks to two British entrepreneurs December 21, 2017 Who isn’t running around looking for last minute stocking fillers at this time of year? That was the situation one entrepreneurial couple found themselves in when they decided upon bitcoin as the perfect present. But one problem Laurence Kemball-Cook and Louise Doherty stumbled upon was how difficult it is to buy for someone not entrenched [...]
Bank of England’s Mark Carney spreads Christmas cheer with Brexit assurances for EU banks December 20, 2017 The governor of the Bank of England (BoE) has attempted to spread a little festive cheer after the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator insisted that a financial services deal was off the table. In response to Michel Barnier’s position (which saw him dubbed “Scrooge” by City lobbyists yesterday) Mark Carney has assured EU banks that they [...]
Christmas travel disruption roundup: London Tube and train stations and networks closed over Christmas December 20, 2017 With this morning’s news of a DLR strike planned for New Year’s Eve, Londoners may well be wondering what travel troubles they’ll be facing over the festive period. Well fear not, for here is a roundup of the various engineering works and walkouts planned – along with which days are set to be busiest for [...]
TAG in time for Christmas, don’t crack under pressure December 20, 2017 With gifting season upon us it’s time to start giving serious thought to the route you’re going to take. Giving the gift of time is incredibly personal and says a lot about the relationship you have with the recipient. Whether it’s between something rugged versus an elegant piece or even a contemporary smart watch, TAG [...]
US President Donald Trump nears legislative victory as tax reform bill heads to Senate for approval December 19, 2017 Donald Trump moved another step closer to signing his huge tax overhaul into law before Christmas as the US House of Representatives gave its seal of approval, leaving only the Senate to decide the fate of the bill. The Republican-controlled House passed the vote by 227 to 203, and if it is passed by both [...]
Brexit trade deal: City lobbyist hits out at Michel Barnier’s hard talk on Brexit trade deal December 19, 2017 The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator took the shine off the City’s Christmas party season as he suggested a bespoke deal could not be agreed for London’s financial services sector. “There is no place [for financial services]. There is not a single trade agreement that is open to financial services. It doesn’t exist,” he told the [...]
No special Brexit deal for the City of London or passporting for financial firms, says EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier December 19, 2017 The EU’s chief negotiator has stamped out hopes of a special deal for the City after Brexit. Michel Barnier poured cold water on the idea that a bespoke deal could be agreed for the financial services sector. “There is no place [for financial services]. There is not a single trade agreement that is open to [...]
With or without a Santa Rally, the FTSE 100 looks a sick man compared to its peers December 18, 2017 Over the past 25 years global markets have become accustomed to what is affectionately known as the Santa Rally in the final weeks before Christmas. This year, however, the FTSE 100 appears unlikely to have its spirits lifted by Christmas joy. In 18 of the past 25 years, the FTSE 100 index has rallied by [...]