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 [...]
Brent crude oil price hits one year high of $53.50 boosted by Opec production cut deal optimism October 10, 2016 The price of Brent crude oil hit a one-year high this afternoon, rising to $53.50 a barrel. Brent crude oil price over the past 12 months (Source: Bloomberg) The price of US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was also trading up, rising by 2.6 per cent to $51.11 a barrel this afternoon – a four month high. [...]
Govcoin’s co-founder Robert Kay explains why his firm is using blockchain to change the lives of benefit claimants October 10, 2016 "When you get into this technology, you can let your imagination run wild with it. But as an entrepreneur, you have to focus. You can use a new technology to help those that can pay the most for it, or those who will benefit the most from it. It is our view that distributed ledger [...]
Cricket bosses confirm England to stage its first ever day/night Test match October 6, 2016 New ground is set to be broken next summer when England’s clash with the West Indies at Edgbaston becomes the first day/night Test match to be staged in this country. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that England’s showdown with the West Indies, the first Test of the series scheduled to take place between [...]
Stirling prize: Damien Hirst’s street-length art gallery is the winner of this year’s prestigious architecture award October 6, 2016 The winner of this year's coveted Stirling Prize has been unveiled – and it's fitting that the coveted architectural award should, this year, go to an art gallery. Yep, this year the Royal Institute of British Architects' (Riba) prestigious award has gone to Vauxhall's Newport Street Gallery, built to house Damien Hirst's private art collection, which opened at the end of [...]
Heathrow third runway would not break emissions laws October 6, 2016 The case for expansion at Heathrow airport was given a shot in the arm this morning as a new, independent study revealed a third runway would not breach emissions laws. Pollution around the west London airport – the busiest in Europe – has been a major sticking point in its bid for a third runway, with campaigners arguing [...]
The new centre ground: The full text of Theresa May’s Conservative Party conference speech October 5, 2016 In the speech which closed the Conservative Party conference, Theresa May spoke of a country in transition, and new opportunities. The full 7,600 words is below – although if you'd rather a cut-down version, her best quotes are here – or you can read how businesses reacted. The new centre ground: May's speech in full When [...]
Long overdue report on RBS turnaround unit finally lands on watchdog’s desk October 5, 2016 The City watchdog has revealed it has received a long-awaited final report into RBS' old business turnaround unit. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had initially been expected to publish review outcomes into RBS' now defunct Global Restructuring Group (GRG) by the end of 2015. However, the report, which is being compiled by "independent skilled persons" Promontory Financial Group [...]
Business travelers fork out more to stay near the City, study shows October 4, 2016 Business travelers were still prepared to pay more to stay near Canary Wharf and the Square Mile despite increased uncertainty ahead of the EU referendum. A bi-annual report by HRG — the global travel company — showed that average room rates for business travelers leapt in the Docklands and the City by 6.9 per cent [...]
Theresa May under Brexit pressure ahead of Conservative Party conference October 1, 2016 Westminster watchers are again decamping for a few days of agenda-setting speeches, hard-hitting policy debates, backroom lobbying and late night parties as the Conservative Party conference kicks off in Birmingham tomorrow. Despite the raft of pre-conference announcements, including a new review into employment law and the ditching of some mandatory medical tests for people deemed [...]