Learning the hard way: As the interest on student loans rises further, should parents help their children cut the cost of going to university? August 24, 2016 As school leavers jumped for joy at their A-Level results last week, parents may have had cause to grimace. Despite the government’s emphasis on apprenticeships, a university degree remains a passport to higher paid employment. Nevertheless, the costs of higher education have spiralled in recent years, and students are having to take on much larger student [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open August 23, 2016 The sun is shining in London, the FTSE 100 is higher, and across the pond markets look set for a rise on the opening bell. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm London time. US futures are pointing higher ahead of the open. The S&P is up by 0.24 per cent, [...]
Weak pound prompts overseas spending spree in UK August 23, 2016 Tourists are hitting the UK's shops like never before as they cash in on a weak pound to snap up British goods at knock-down prices, new payment data has revealed. Card payment giant WorldPay said today spending from foreign cards at UK stores has jumped by 12.4 per cent since the referendum. The climb mirrors the 14 per cent [...]
Come fly with me? City Airport will start playing songs during security screenings to entertain passengers August 23, 2016 London City Airport has decided to play music for passengers as they go through the airport's security search area because it will apparently provide a positive distraction. The airport says that music psychologist from the University of Sheffield has argued the background music may provide a positive distraction whilst proceeding through security, enhance the experience and [...]
The mobile payments battle just intensified in the UK August 23, 2016 iZettle is likely a familiar sight if you frequent small coffee shops or market stalls across the capital. The tiny card reading machine has sprung up across the UK, making it easier for shops to offer customers the option of paying by card without having to invest in the pricey systems offered by the big tech companies. [...]
Speedo and Ralph Lauren ditch Ryan Lochte in wake of American swim star’s Rio “robbery” row August 22, 2016 American swimming star Ryan Lochte has been dumped by trunk-maker Speedo after he admitted to exaggerating claims that he and team-mates were robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Olympics. Luxury fashion retailer Ralph Lauren also said it would not be renewing its endorsement deal with Lochte, while other sponsors said they were reviewing their positions. [...]
A new corporate-backed fintech lab has opened in London August 22, 2016 The investment firm behind one of London's top venture capital funds is doubling down on one of the hottest areas of tech with a dedicated lab specialising in all things fintech. Octopus Investments, whose venture capital firm Octopus Ventures backed successful startups such as Swiftkey (acquired by Microsoft), Magic Pony (bought by Twitter) and Zoopla, will launch a fintech [...]
City Moves for 22 August 2016 | Who’s switching jobs August 22, 2016 Falcon Technologies International Optical Media storage specialist Falcon Technologies International has appointed Michael Gutowski as chief executive officer. Michael brings on board over 20 years of experience in the optical media industry, including having been CEO of Infodisc Technology in Europe and developing the firm into one of the leading players in the region. In addition to his executive [...]
The weaker pound sent Chinese and US tourists on a spending spree in the UK last month August 22, 2016 The UK's purse received a boost from tourist spending in the month following the referendum, as visitors from made the most of the weaker pound. International tax free shopping spending rose seven per cent overall in July, according to retail tourism experts Global Blue. Travellers from the US increased their tax free shopping by 22 per [...]
Small firms want Germany front and centre in Brexit negotiations, finds new research August 22, 2016 The UK's small businesses are keen to keep in touch with their German counterparts following Brexit, research out today has found. The study by PwC, as part of its My Financepartner offering, of 566 SMEs discovered that two thirds (66 per cent) want government to focus on maintaining access to the Single Market for businesses in its negotiations and [...]