Here’s what got us talking this week May 20, 2016 We had a glimpse of the future (at least as far as house prices are concerned) and found some of us would be in a fight to the end with robots. And we learned stress wasn't always a bad thing – which is just as well because it's not just prosecco that's getting more expensive just in [...]
EU referendum: Phone polls back Remain far more than online polls but contain too high a percentage of graduates, says YouGov May 20, 2016 The ability of phone polls to accurately predict the outcome of the EU referendum has been called into question by YouGov, which states they include too high a percentage of graduates. To give some context, there's been wide discrepancies between online and phone polling in the buildup to the vote, with phone polls putting Remain comprehensively ahead but online [...]
EU referendum: Ryanair extends “Fly Home to Vote Remain” sale in response to being accused of breaking election law and anti-bribery rules by Vote Leave May 20, 2016 Ryanair has doubled down on its offer of cheap flights back to the UK in order to encourage people to vote Remain after Vote Leave complained to the police about the campaign. Vote Leave, the designated Out campaign group, said that Ryanair's offer of cheap flights to expats who want to vote to remain in the [...]
EU referendum: Ryanair wants people to back Remain so much it’s offering cheaper flights home to vote on 22 and 23 June May 19, 2016 Ryanair has made no secret of the fact it is one in a vast number of companies that wants the UK to remain in the EU. But it turns out the company wants the UK to reject Brexit so desperately that it's going to be selling cheaper flights back to the UK on the 22 and 23 June [...]
Airline and holiday operators’ share prices fall in wake of missing EgyptAir MS804 flight May 19, 2016 Shares in airlines and holiday operators were suffering this morning in the wake of what appears to be another potential disaster involving a passenger jet. EgyptAir flight MS804 went missing overnight as it was travelling between Paris and Cairo, with 56 passengers and a further 10 crew and security members on board. Three of the people [...]
After it hosted a major Osborne speech, is Ryanair risking its own reputation by openly backing Remain? May 17, 2016 Michael Jacobides, associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at London Business School, says Yes. At a time of heightened political sensibility and populist bashing of “big business”, it feels risky for a corporation to take a clear stance on a key political debate. Brexit campaigners have already targeted Mark Carney for taking a view, despite [...]
British Airways could be about to charge for food on short-haul flights May 16, 2016 British Airways looks set to cave in to the pressure from low-cost airlines and start charging economy passengers for in-flight meals on its short-haul flights, according to reports this afternoon. The flag-carrier has clutched on to its in-flight perks as a key point of differentiation with the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair after the budget [...]
Remain dream team? A most unlikely group is speaking out on Brexit – Osborne, Balls and Cable join forces May 16, 2016 An unlikely group has gathered at, of all places, Stansted Airport, to make the case for Britain remaining in Europe. The chancellor George Osborne has been joined by former political rivals Ed Balls and Vince Cable – as well as outspoken Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. The unlikely trio, representing the UK's main political parties, stood together united against [...]
UK-bound Ryanair flight evacuated in Oslo after bomb hoax May 15, 2016 A Ryanair flight which was supposed to be heading for the United Kingdom has been evacuated in Oslo following after a bomb hoax. Ryanair flight 3225 from Oslo Rygge to Manchester airport was scheduled to depart at 6.55pm local time and arrive in Manchester at 7.55pm, but after concerns were raised, the flight was evacuated after boarding and two passengers [...]
The EU’s block of the O2-Three merger proves why we need to vote remain May 11, 2016 This morning, the European Competition Commission blocked the proposed merger of O2 and Three mobile. The £10.5bn deal, which would have created the UK’s largest mobile phone operator, was blocked on the grounds that it would have reduced competition and meant less choice for consumers. While the ruling was made at European level, the merger would [...]