Exclusive: Govt policy shows UK tech is ‘guiding light’ in pandemic recovery, says Beacon CEO March 30, 2021 Despite the upheaval that the pandemic has caused for many individuals and businesses across the UK, the tech sector has been relatively resilient over the past 12 months. The industry’s continued strong performance is reflected by recent data compiled by Tech Nation and the government’s Digital Economy Council, which shows that 10 per cent of [...]
David Cameron ‘did nothing wrong’ in his dealings with Greensill, says Kwasi Kwarteng March 30, 2021 David Cameron “did absolutely nothing wrong” in his dealings with Greensill Capital, according to a senior government minister. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said “everything was above board” with the former prime minister’s connection to the financial services company which collapsed earlier this month. Speaking on Sky News this morning, Kwarteng said that, with Cameron having [...]
We should have scrapped BAME long ago, it’s meaningless and formalises otherness March 29, 2021 Scrap BAME as a term for minority communities, Boris Johnson will be told this week by the racial disparities commission. You can see why it was an attractive proposition for ministers and corporates: it’s an umbrella, a catch-all term for people who are not white. It sidesteps trying to navigate racially charged language which could [...]
UK drawing up plans for Covid-19 certificates for office workers March 29, 2021 The UK is reportedly weighing up plans to launch Covid vaccine certificates for white collar workers, which could allow people to go back to the office in large numbers later this year. A review led by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove on the future of office working is considering implementing the certificates, which would likely [...]
Tory MPs urge Boris Johnson to scrap work from home guidance next month March 29, 2021 Conservative MPs have called on Boris Johnson to lift work from home guidance next month to speed up an economic rebound. They argue that with more than half the adult population having received a Covid jab, those who want to return to the office should be allowed to do so. Clarity is yet to emerge [...]
Markets A.M. – Attention shifts to credit data with UK-EU vaccine row set to continue March 29, 2021 US markets once again finished a rather choppy week on a high, with the S&P500 setting another new record, and both the Nasdaq and Russell 200 also posting strong gains in the last hour of trading, in a broad-based uplift across the board. In a week that saw optimism and pessimism in equal measure, stock [...]
Top City investor James Anderson gives Deliveroo the cold shoulder March 29, 2021 Deliveroo’s flotation has been snubbed again, this time by a leading tech investor who remains unconvinced by the platform’s model outside of London. The tech platform is targeting a market cap of almost £9bn in its upcoming London listing as demand soared during lockdown. The City has largely welcomed the blockbuster float as it tries [...]
Covid: UK bank lending surged £29.3bn since March, surpassing EU March 29, 2021 UK bank lending has surged by eight per cent to keep businesses afloat since the pandemic began, surpassing EU lending, according to a new study by UHY released this morning. Banks have offered around £29.3bn in businesses loans over the past year, as lending in the EU increased by an average of 5.3 per cent. [...]
Financial services firms unaware of cybersecurity risks attached to remote working March 28, 2021 As the UK starts to emerge from the pandemic the debate surrounding remote working has reared its head again. New research shows bosses are unaware of the cyber security threat attached to more employees working outside the office. As lockdown restrictions start to ease more firms are considering a pivot to a more permanent remote [...]
David Cameron gave banker Lex Greensill access to 11 government departments March 28, 2021 David Cameron gave scandal hit banker Lex Greensill access to 11 government departments to create a new cross-Whitehall financial product, it has been revealed. Greensill, whose finance firm Greensill Capital went bust just weeks ago, was brought into the upper reaches of government by then cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood in 2012. Cameron went on to [...]