UK business confidence steady at almost nine-year high in August August 30, 2024 UK business confidence remained at an almost nine-year high in August, a closely-watched survey has suggested, in a positive sign for the country's economic prospects.
Easing inflation helps retail footfall in August despite riots August 30, 2024 Retail footfall in the UK was boosted by good weather and easing inflation in August, despite the effect of the violent riots which erupted earlier in the month. Total UK retail footfall fell by 0.4 per cent in August year-on-year, compared to an annual drop of 3.3 per cent in July, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). It’s [...]
Signs of ‘recovery and stability’ surface for Britain’s SMEs August 29, 2024 Signs of 'recovery and stability' for Britain's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have surfaced amid an increase in broker optimism.
Starmer can’t keep blaming everything on the Tories August 29, 2024 Starmer will soon find out that he can’t keep piously contrasting himself with the previous government while snatching benefits from pensioners, promoting party donors and paying off his pals in the trade unions, says William Atkinson The most important number for Keir Starmer’s government isn’t 411 seats he won, the £22bn black hole that Rachel [...]
CBI: Roadmap needed as firms struggle amid rising wealth tax rumours August 29, 2024 Publishing a long-term tax roadmap would address the “confidence shortfall” among UK firms, the Confederation for British Industry (CBI) has urged the government, amid swirling rumours of a wealth tax. Businesses are facing “cost pressures” and “middling conditions” and in need of a “major boost to confidence”, the CBI has said, following hints from Sir [...]
Worst corporate jargon of the week: Stakeholder August 29, 2024 Grab a stake and wield it jargon soldier, we're cracking down on corporate claptrap. This week, the insidious 'stakeholder'.
FTSE 100: Natwest, Barclays and Lloyds shares drop on fears of Labour tax raid August 28, 2024 Shares in the UK's largest banks dropped on Wednesday amid concerns that the new Labour government could raise taxes on the sector in October's Budget.
Profit more than doubles at Flight Centre thanks to pick-up in business travel August 28, 2024 A surge in the number of corporate flights taking off helped Flight Centre Travel Group’s pre-tax profit more than double during its latest financial year. The Australian-headquartered group delivered a AU$320m (£164.42m) in underlying profit before tax for 2024, a 131 per cent year-on-year increase and at the mid-point of Flight Centre’s guidance range. The [...]
What’s Next: Retailer seeking appeal but does it stand a chance? August 28, 2024 Next lost a major equal pay case this week, resulting in an estimated £30m bill to foot but what does this mean for businesses? Lawyers tell City A.M. that the ruling is a "worrying precedent for employers"
The Savoy Hotel feels the pinch as London’s luxury market gets even more competitive August 28, 2024 The Savoy Hotel is feeling the impact of an increase in competition in London’s luxury hotel market after its pre-tax loss widened during 2023, it has been revealed. The hotel has reported a loss of £17.9m for its latest financial year, having also made a pre-tax loss of £12m in 2022, according to newly-filed documents [...]