Why long-term investors shouldn’t fear Brexit: Alarming projections have emerged about the impact of Britain leaving the EU on sterling, stocks and bonds. But there are reasons not to expect the worst May 25, 2016 You’d be forgiven for thinking the investment industry is united against Brexit. Accompanied by alarming forecasts about the impact of a Leave vote on sterling or the risk to various sectors of the UK economy, repeated reports have painted the referendum as a choice between emotion and reason, with Remain the only sensible option for [...]
Will Brexit knock house prices? Not in prime central London May 13, 2016 In a bid to sway voters, George Osborne is predicting Armageddon in every economic sector as the collateral damage of Brexit. This week he pointed the finger at property prices, predicting a significant dampening if the UK votes to leave. The chancellor is correct that the property market does stall in the face of investor uncertainty, [...]
Extended right to buy scheme could cost London councils just shy of £50m each May 4, 2016 Councils in London will need to fork out £49m a year on average to fund government’s planned extensions to the right to buy scheme, a report out today by Shelter has warned. Under the right to buy extension, local authorities will be forced to sell off a proportion of their vacant council house stock on the open [...]
MP demands FRC investigates BHS directors April 29, 2016 An MP has written to the head of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), calling for an investigation into the directors of BHS. Richard Fuller, MP for Bedford, urged Stephen Haddrill to probe the “conduct of directors and advisers, and other relevant interested parties” relating to the sale of BHS by Sir Philip Green to Retail [...]
Watchdog issues new rules ahead of auditor merry-go-round April 27, 2016 The accountancy watchdog has today issued its final draft of guidance for auditors ahead of a significant piece of EU legislation coming into force this summer. The final drafts of updates to the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC) UK Corporate Governance Code, Guidance on Audit Committees, and Auditing and Ethical Standards are designed to better secure the independence [...]
Camra and the British Beer and Pub Association slam government’s late night levy and call for partnership schemes between councils and police April 19, 2016 Alcohol and pub industry bodies have slammed the government's late night levy on the pub sector and urged councils and police to consider partnership schemes as a "more effective" alternative. In a report released today, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) criticised the scheme's low take-up rates [...]
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) issues new guidance on company solvency and going concern basis April 18, 2016 The accountancy watchdog has today issued new guidance for companies on how to make it clear in their accounts whether their business can afford to keep running for the foreseeable future. The report published by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) aims to help directors to understand the going concern basis in accounting alongside the relevant disclosure requirements. The [...]
Lack of language learning in schools is holding back the UK’s trade and business opportunities according to the Language Trends Survey 2016 April 18, 2016 A lack of language skills among British workers could be costing the UK tens of billions of pounds in missed trade and business opportunities each year. Teachers have expressed "deep concern" about the current state of language learning in English schools, in a report released today by the British Council and the Education Development Trust. [...]
Round two of shareholder spring? Centrica, Anglo American and HSBC Holdings all set for annual general meetings this week against background of grumbles from investors April 17, 2016 Three major household names are all set to test the sentiment of shareholders as they gather for their annual general meetings (AGM) this week. British Gas parent company Centrica will meet tomorrow, while miner Anglo American will host its AGM on Thursday. Bank HSBC will meet on Friday. Last Thursday, an unprecedented 59.29 per cent of [...]
City Moves for 4 April 2016 | Who’s switching jobs April 4, 2016 Bryan Cave International law firm Bryan Cave has announced that Remy Blain has become managing partner of the firm’s Paris office. An M&A and private equity specialist, Remy is recognised by Chambers & Partners and other league tables in the areas of mid-cap mergers and acquisitions, private equity and distribution. His past experience includes senior [...]