How will Christmas dinner be different after Brexit? Here are 2016’s best alternative Christmas cracker jokes December 13, 2016 With Brexit, Donald Trump and mad political party leadership races dominating the nation’s attention, 2016 will be remembered as a year when people really got interested in politics. The final piece of proof? Brexit – surely no laughing matter – has won a joke competition, narrowly beating Sports Direct and BHS (proving that it has even [...]
Merry Stressmas, and an anxious New Year December 13, 2016 It's the most wonderful time of the year! But it can also be a very stressful time for many. For people already suffering from common mental illness (mild to moderate depression or anxiety), Christmas can be difficult because of the expectation to be happy, with existing feelings of inadequacy and isolation being compounded. For others, [...]
Post Office workers to strike in week before Christmas, although Royal Mail deliveries said to be unaffected December 12, 2016 Workers at the Post Office have announced that they will strike during the run-up to Christmas. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) says that strike action will commence on Monday 19 December and run through to Christmas Eve in 300 branches around the country. They have so far notified the Post Office, which is run separately [...]
EU regulator set to focus on derivatives clearing in exchange merger probe December 12, 2016 EU competition regulators probing the London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) merger with Deutsche Boerse are set to narrow their focus on derivatives clearing this week. And, with the European Commission’s statement of objections due in the coming days, City A.M. understands the LSE is seeking to push through the sale of its French clearing business, LCH [...]
Christmas and New Year holidays abroad will boost Gatwick’s total passenger numbers by more than 10 per cent December 12, 2016 More Britons are choosing to spend the winter holidays abroad this year than ever before, boosting passenger numbers at Gatwick Airport. With Christmas and New Year both falling on weekends, significantly more people are jetting off for extended holidays compared to the previous year. Gatwick expects more than a 10 per cent boost to its total passenger numbers as a result. [...]
Great Western Railway customers face fresh disruption as cleaners stage two one-day walkouts on run-up to Christmas December 12, 2016 Rail commuters are facing another layer of disruption after unions announced cleaners will go on strike on the run up to Christmas. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) today announced after a "massive yes vote" cleaners would walk out on 16 and 23 December – 109 members voted in favour of the action. Employees of [...]
Blockchain chief executive Peter Smith talks smart contracts, homelessness and starting the world’s largest bitcoin wallet December 12, 2016 When I speak to Peter Smith, he is mid-juggling three events in as many days: a board meeting, moving his entire London team to new offices, and the office Christmas party. “We haven’t even had the office opening yet, but it’s all been fine,” he reflects. The first of these requires a day trip to [...]
Generation unlucky: Millennials are feeling sorry for themselves financially (and don’t mention Brexit) December 10, 2016 With Christmas on the way, spare a thought for the millennials in your life. They are are probably feeling hard done by financially, and miserable about 2016’s Brexit vote. Maybe you could consider putting another tangerine in their stocking, or adding an extra £5 on to their HMV gift card, to make up for it. A [...]
Long Weekend review: If all they want for Christmas this year is a trip to Lapland, why not try out this winter wonderland in the UK first? December 9, 2016 The trip: Embrace festive fever and head to an immersive elfin experience near Ascot for an exciting encounter with Mother and Father Christmas. This is something for the whole family to enjoy, following a trail through an enchanted forest to sample a day in the life of elf apprentices, preparing food and toys for the [...]
Uber treats drivers like Victorian “sweated labour”, says Frank Field in gig economy report December 9, 2016 Frank Field might be more commonly known as one of the thorns in Sir Philip Green's side, but Uber might now have a bone to pick with him too. The Labour MP and chair of the Work and Pensions Committee has uploaded a report to his site analysing the working relationship between Uber and its drivers, [...]