British car manufacturing speeds ahead to highest level since 1999 December 22, 2016 The number of cars manufactured in Britain accelerated to its highest level this century in November, according to data from official body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Car production zoomed ahead by 12.8 per cent to 169,247 last month, in the highest output since 1999. In the first 11 months of this year 1.6m [...]
UK businesses now owe £1.8bn in late corporation tax – an increase of 15 per cent since 2015 December 19, 2016 More businesses are struggling to pay their tax bills, as the amount of overdue corporation tax owed to the taxman continues to rise. According to Funding Options, an online aggregator for small business finance, the total value of corporation tax payments in arrears has risen 15 per cent in the past year, from £1.59bn to [...]
As Trump packs his cabinet with leading executives, are business people any good at politics? December 15, 2016 Sam Bowman, executive director of the Adam Smith Institute, says Yes. Well, it’d be hard to do worse than the politicians. And Trump’s appointments make some sense. Exxon’s Rex Tillerson, in particular, is experienced at negotiating with the leaders of tinpot kleptocracies – a useful skill in a secretary of state. Mitt Romney’s business success [...]
Anthony Watson interview: Bath and England star on why he’s not letting himself think about the British Lions tour to New Zealand just yet December 13, 2016 Bath star Anthony Watson insists he has put thoughts of travelling to New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions next year to the back of his mind following three months out injured. The winger has been consigned to the opposite side of the touchline he is so used to hugging for England and Bath, [...]
Why Warren Gatland’s decision to hire Rob Howley could come back to haunt the British and Irish Lions on next summer’s tour to New Zealand December 12, 2016 The British and Irish Lions coaching set-up was finalised last week with the trio of Rob Howley, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell appointed to assist Warren Gatland on next summer’s tour to New Zealand and there must have been an interesting conversation between Gatland and Howley, given that the latter was only recruited as “option [...]
OPEC’s celebrated and unexpected deal has papered over the market’s cracks December 8, 2016 The outcome of the Vienna meeting came as a pleasant surprise to oil markets. A deal had been hammered out and, despite the resistance, OPEC and Non-OPEC producers had agreed to cut a total of 1.8mbpd. Saudi Arabia − suffering from a major dent in its economy− has agreed to the largest cut. OPEC producers [...]
The government’s stampede to placate big business post-Brexit risks overlooking growth firms December 6, 2016 When Theresa May struck a grand bargain to secure Nissan’s commitment to manufacturing in the North East, she helped to save 7,000 jobs. She also triggered a debate about the level of support the government should provide for businesses in a post-Brexit world. After all, what is fair for Nissan should probably also be fair [...]
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key unexpectedly steps down to focus on his family December 5, 2016 New Zealand Prime Minister John Key unexpectedly announced his resignation today after eight years in power. Key was partway through a third three-year term marked by political stability and economic reform after the global financial crisis when he told reporters he would step down to focus on family, Reuters reported. Deputy prime minister and finance [...]
Eddie Jones builds autumn climax against foes Australia as World Cup primer December 1, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones is refusing to obsess over his side’s record-breaking opportunities and insists he intends to use Saturday's autumn climax against Australia as a World Cup primer. Powerhouse Nathan Hughes is set for his first start for England, replacing the injured Billy Vunipola at No8, while Marland Yarde is to play on the [...]
Ford is gearing up to test self-driving cars in Europe next year November 30, 2016 Keep an eye out on the roads next year. For Ford is bringing its self-driving cars to European roads next year – but just for testing. “People are really beginning to think about exactly what autonomous vehicles could mean to their day-to-day lives,” said Thomas Lukaszewicz, manager, automated driving, Ford of Europe. “Many of us [...]