Why everyone called Brexit wrong: Analysts have become too close to the elites they’re meant to analyse October 26, 2016 I have long held heretical views about political risk analysis, which cluster around what I call the “plumber’s test”. However bejeweled or slick at marketing a political risk firm may be, what matters in the end is that they are analytically correct. Just as I don’t invite back my local plumber if he fails to [...]
Winner of the West Coast main line will run the first HS2 trains October 25, 2016 The winner of the West Coast main line retendering is expected to be offered the chance to operate the first trains on the HS2 line. According to The Times, the Department for Transport (DfT) doesn't want the lines competing with each other at first, so the winner of the next franchise will be invited to run the [...]
Gusbourne puts the sparkle back into the English wine industry as it angles a move in tourism sector October 23, 2016 Demand for sparkling wine has bubbled up in the past few years, cementing its place as one of the UK’s favourite drinks. Although prosecco has benefitted the most from this trend, outselling champagne for the first time in 2014, there’s a challenger on the sparkling wine scene that’s being made a lot closer to home. That new [...]
New homes on sale in London, from an old Tudor Palace to Chiswick townhouses October 21, 2016 Brandon House, Borough From £735,000 Live on the site of an old Tudor Palace right next to London Bridge. This week, 77 new homes went on sale at Brandon House on Borough High Street, named after the Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon, who lived in a mansion there in 1518. It comprises one to three [...]
West Texas Intermediate crude price highest level in more than a year on US stockpile data October 19, 2016 Prices of the black stuff rose more than two per cent today after a surprise fall in US crude inventories. Stockpiles fell by 5.2m barrels in the week ended 14 October, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration, dashing analysts' expectations of a build. This is the sixth fall in inventories in seven weeks. US [...]
Editor of Russia’s state broadcaster says UK bank account frozen October 17, 2016 Russia’s state-run broadcaster has had its NatWest bank account frozen, according to its editor-in-chief. Margarita Simonyan tweeted today: “Our accounts in Britain have been blocked. All of them. ‘Decision not to be discussed’. Hail to freedom of speech!” Read more: US ends Syria ceasefire talks with Russia RT, formerly known as Russia Today, reported that NatWest [...]
Theresa May will this week chair the cabinet committee on airport expansion, with Heathrow the favourite to secure a new runway October 16, 2016 Top Tories will meet this week to mull a final verdict on airport expansion, with Heathrow considered the favourite to get the green light. Theresa May's cabinet committee on airport expansion meets on Tuesday, with a decision on how to expand aviation capacity expected to emerge within days. That verdict is then expected to be [...]
Adidas stand to profit as Manchester United’s Paul Pogba tops shirt bestseller list – but could Arsenal look for more from Puma? October 15, 2016 At first glance, Manchester United’s £75m-a-year kit deal with Adidas looked like a vast overpayment on the behalf of the German sportswear manufacturer. Back in 2014 when United’s commercial guru Ed Woodward secured the deal, United had just endured their worst season since the 1980s, the club had failed to attract some high profile transfer [...]
Homes in “UK’s tallest residential tower” go on sale in Canary Wharf and other new homes on the market this week October 14, 2016 Spire, Canary Wharf From £595,000 Apartments in the UK’s “tallest residential tower” on the cusp of Canary Wharf went on sale yesterday. Rising to 771ft with 67 storeys, it cost Chinese developer Greenland Group £800m to build adjacent to West India Quay DLR station and the Museum of London Docklands. There will be 861 one [...]
Business rates that hit London need reform October 11, 2016 Business rates are a blunt instrument, one which is set to deliver a heavy blow to London’s retailers, offices and hotels. Rates are due to rise from next April after a revaluation of rateable values for England’s 1.85m commercial properties by the Valuation Office Agency. It is the first such revaluation since 2010. Analysis by [...]