Why is good behaviour in business such a radical idea? October 19, 2016 One of the most significant passages of Theresa May’s wide-ranging speech at the Conservative Party conference earlier this month criticised selfish bosses, rigged markets and dysfunctional businesses. Calling for a new spirit of citizenship, the Prime Minister highlighted a rogues’ gallery of those companies who refused to play by the rules, infuriated their customers and [...]
Sterling and FTSE 100 jump as inflation hits two-year high October 18, 2016 Sterling recovered some poise today, soaring higher after inflation jumped to a two-year high. The FTSE 100 also jumped back above 7,000 in early morning trading, fading only slightly to end the day up 0.7 per cent at 6,994 as traders and investors digested the news that prices rose by one per cent in the year to [...]
The fashion industry is on its steepest decline for seven years October 17, 2016 The fashion market is on its steepest decline for seven years, according to new data, with £700m wiped off the value of the UK market since last year. According to figures from Kantar Worldpanel, sales declined for the fourth month in a row in September as retailers continued to offer huge discounts to consumers. Kantar [...]
Employees take Tesco to court over pay cuts October 16, 2016 Tesco employees are taking the retailer to court after it cut their pay. A group of 17 workers are fighting Tesco's decision to reduce their pay on weekends, bank holidays and evenings. Law firm Leigh Day has contacted Tesco to ask how many employees are affected, but have estimated that 50,000 staff face a pay cut. [...]
M&S pay row: Marks and Spencer faces £100m bill for pension changes and payments to cushion pay cut pain October 14, 2016 Marks and Spencer is making a payout of at least £100m to its employees to cushion the pain of the pay cuts and as part of pension changes it is introducing for shop staff. The retailer is cutting benefits to shop staff such as premium pay on Sunday and Bank Holidays following the introduction of the [...]
Housebuilders and domestically-focused stocks hit by fears of hard Brexit October 10, 2016 The aftershocks of sterling's flash crash last week are still being felt in the City with domestic stocks suffering in trading today. When markets opened in Asia on Friday, the pound fell six per cent in two minutes, a plunge thought to have been caused by automatic trading systems responding to comments by French President Francois [...]
Don’t blame businesses for hiring foreign staff. Improve British skills October 6, 2016 Home secretary Amber Rudd provoked outrage this week for suggesting that companies should list the number of foreign workers they employ. For many in the business community, it hit a raw nerve at a sensitive time. EU nationals that call the UK home and have set up fast-growth businesses, or joined talented global teams, are already [...]
Cesarewitch betting tips: Starchitect can help punters build some profit at Newmarket October 6, 2016 Newmarket stages the equine equivalent of the National Lottery on Saturday when a field of 34 line up for the Cesarewitch (4.10pm). With a 50/1 winner 12 months ago, not to mention 66/1 winners in two of the three previous years, it’s a race where the hat pin may prove more useful than the form [...]
British Airways’ move of dropping free meals is eating into its brand image October 5, 2016 British Airways has been in the news for a number of reasons over the last couple of months and YouGov’s brand tracking data indicates that perception of the brand has been impacted as a result. Just last week, the airline announced it was to cut its free meals on short haul economy flights. Passengers will [...]
Bupa giving dentistry chain Oasis a check up as preliminary talks for a bid get underway October 3, 2016 Private healthcare group Bupa is weighing a takeover bid for dentistry chain Oasis. Oasis, currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, could be worth in the region of £500m, though reports of its value vary. Bupa has held preliminary talks with Oasis Healthcare's management and shareholders about a deal, it was first reported by Sky News. Discussions are said to [...]