Firstgroup expansion continues with Cheshire-based coach firm Lakeside October 25, 2024 Firstgroup has acquired coach operator Lakeside Group, as the FTSE 250 transport giant continues to expand across the country. Lakeside, which is based in Shropshire and Cheshire, provides bus and coach private hire services to schools and businesses. The company owns around 145 buses and coaches, with a small amount of revenue coming from tours [...]
Thames Water launches £3bn emergency fundraising drive October 25, 2024 Thames Water has launched a £3bn fundraising drive to help pay off some of the struggling utility’s large debt pile. The water company has just £500m in cash, and hopes the new money will extend its ability to function for at least another year. Thames Water said today that the money will allow the firm [...]
Budget 2024: Warning pubs and breweries could face extra £310m bill October 25, 2024 Pubs and breweries could face an extra £310m bill after the Budget, an industry lobby group has warned. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that a hike in business rates and beer duty could leave Britain’s drinking spots struggling. Additional costs could stifle growth and threaten jobs, with some [...]
Labour is playing a ‘dangerous game’ with capital gains tax, think tank says October 25, 2024 Currently the rate for higher earners is 20 per cent, but it’s 24 per cent for residential property on secondary homes.
Two more venture capital trusts launch fundraising drive ahead of Budget October 24, 2024 Two venture capital trusts have launched fundraisers for £75m each as investors rush into the vehicles ahead of a potential hike in capital gains tax at the Budget. While the rate of capital gains tax sits at 20 per cent, rumours have swirled that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could double it at next week’s Budget. However, [...]
Rachel Reeves’ carry tax hikes are sensible, says private equity boss October 24, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ plans to tax private equity partners more onerously are sensible and concerns about them triggering an exodus of dealmakers from London have been overdone, a private equity boss has said. Rami Cassis, chief executive and founder of private equity boutique Parabellum, threw his weight behind the chancellor’s plans to bring carried interest – [...]
UK banking complaints nearly double amid credit card and motor finance woes October 24, 2024 Official UK banking complaints almost doubled in the first half of 2024 as consumers hit out against firms' handling of credit cards and motor finance.
Budget uncertainty sends economic activity down to lowest level in almost a year October 24, 2024 Uncertainty surrounding the Budget knocked economic activity in October, according to a closely watched business survey, as firms delayed decisions in the face of possible tax changes.
How American Express UK is looking to crack Gen Z October 24, 2024 American Express’s UK boss, Hannah Lewis, sits down with City AM to talk breaking into a younger markets and shaking up its image. “Do you take Amex?” It’s a question that has slipped so far into the cultural lexicon there are even memes about it. Scroll through a dedicated Reddit page on American Express and [...]
Barclays shares hit nine-year high as investment bank helps profit beat forecasts October 24, 2024 Barclays' shares have hit their highest level in nine years after a rebound in investment banking helped its profit beat expectations for the third quarter.