Ho-ho-how much? This is the energy cost of cooking Christmas dinner, leaving the lights on and working from home December 20, 2016 We're all aware that the festive season puts a strain on our wallets, but thanks to new research you can be rest assured it puts added pressure on your energy bills too. The average household can spend up to £50 extra on gas and electricity in December as parties get underway, turkeys get basted and [...]
The RMT wants a Christmas truce over Southern rail saga – but says it’s in the government’s hands December 20, 2016 The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union wants a Christmas truce over Southern rail – only it says it's up to the government to make it happen. Commuters are battling through today's second day of delays as a 48-hour strike goes on by guards over proposed changes to their roles. There have been months of [...]
Britons have lost their taste for these favourites of Christmas past December 20, 2016 Christmas 2016 may have been marked by the rise of craft beer and gin advent calendars (yes, really), and a season when we cracked open £2bn worth of bubbly, but spare a thought for the traditional tipples we're leaving behind. Despite being a Christmas staple, Britons have lost their taste for the fortified wines of port, sherry and vermouth, as [...]
CMA approves McColl’s acquisition of 298 Co-op stores December 20, 2016 Don't you love it when the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) clears something just in time for Christmas? The CMA has given the green-light to McColl's acquisition of 298 Co-op stores. McColl's intention to take on the stores was first announced back in July, and now that the CMA has approved the deal, McColl's expects [...]
NatWest and RBS mobile banking apps hit by technical problems December 20, 2016 RBS and NatWest have assured customers that its mobile banking is now running as normal after after experiencing technical problems that left people unable to use the service.. RBS had been tweeting customers directly on Twitter saying it is aware of some issues and that it was working to fix them. NatWest, owned by RBS, also experienced [...]
London Stock Exchange enters into exclusive talks with Euronext over sale of French clearing business December 20, 2016 The London Stock Exchange Group has entered into exclusive discussions with rival Euronext over the sale of its French clearing business. And the deal for LCH SA, which could be crucial to the success of the London Stock Exchange’s mega-merger with Deutsche Boerse, could still be agreed this side of Christmas, City A.M. understands. The London Stock [...]
Flybe’s heading to Heathrow as it unveils new Scottish flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to the London airport December 20, 2016 Here's a nice early Christmas present for fans of Flybe. The airline has announced new regular flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to London Heathrow, which it says will be the first time it has served the largest London airport. Starting from 26 March 2017, there'll be up to 18 flights a day between London and [...]
Berlin: 12 people have died and 48 are injured after a truck “deliberately” drove into a Christmas market December 20, 2016 Berlin police said 12 people have died and 48 injured after a truck ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the heart of west Berlin last night. Investigators assume the driver that ploughed into the market did so deliberately and said the incident was a "probable terrorist attack". "Our investigators assume that the truck [...]
Big firms can enhance social mobility in 2017 by committing to buy from social enterprises December 20, 2016 I suspect that, if you ask many in Britain what they want for Christmas this year, they might say “hope” or “change”. Reflecting back on 2016, the EU referendum showed that too many ordinary people haven’t felt the benefits of our strong economy and now find themselves on the margins of society. As the chairman [...]
As militant unions plot Christmas misery, should strike action on railway services be banned? December 20, 2016 Keith Prince, deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, says Yes. Strike action on public transport can have a devastating impact on commuters. Southern’s passengers have suffered huge delays, cancellations and some have lost their jobs because they can’t guarantee they’ll be able to get to their desks. This appalling situation cannot be allowed [...]