OECD: UK muscles out G7 to top economic growth rankings September 21, 2021 The UK economy will grow the fastest among the group of the world’s richest countries, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD thinks the UK economy will expand 6.7 per cent in 2021, the highest rate of growth among the G7. The UK’s leading growth rate has been driven by [...]
Dignity sees steep rise in spend-per-service as 41,000 funerals bury last year’s losses September 21, 2021 Funeral giant Dignity has revealed it has seen the amount spent on each funeral increase but the number of deaths fall. Spending on each funeral rose from £2,461 in the first half of last year to £2,628 in the first six months of 2021. But Dignity only conducted 41,400 funerals, compared with 46,000 a year [...]
Opinion: Why Derby County’s financial woes show that football is broken and needs fundamental change September 20, 2021 The unfolding disaster at Derby County should never have been allowed to happen, but sadly this is just the latest example of a game that has increasingly allowed itself to lose touch with reality. We have seen the collapse of FA Cup winners Bury and the demise of Macclesfield, while others, such as Wigan and [...]
Joe Biden lifts US travel ban for fully vaccinated UK and EU passengers September 20, 2021 Joe Biden’s White House has confirmed that fully vaccinated UK and EU passengers will be able to travel to the US from November, sending aviation stocks soaring this afternoon. The news sent shares in IAG, owner of British Airways, up by 11 per cent at the close today, while Air France, KLM and Lufthansa are [...]
Labour plots crackdown on private equity tax loophole September 20, 2021 Labour will crack down on private equity bosses by closing tax loopholes on their bonuses if victorious at the next election. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will today say that by ending the carried interest loophole, the government could raise another £440m in tax revenues. Carried interest payments are given as bonuses to private equity bosses [...]
Why boosting physical activity is key to speeding up London’s pandemic recovery, by Prof Kevin Fenton of Public Health England September 20, 2021 In this guest column, Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director at Public Health England, calls on businesses to prioritise employee health ahead of London Sport’s Active London conference this week. As we emerge from Covid-19 and set out to repair its impact globally, the success of London’s post-pandemic recovery will ultimately depend on the physical [...]
City minister pledges ‘competitive tax rates’ for UK financial services sector ahead of Budget September 20, 2021 John Glen has promised that the UK’s financial services sector will benefit from “competitive tax rates,” ahead of the next Budget on 27 October, according to reports. “To be competitive, we have to have competitive tax rates and that’s what’s on the chancellor’s mind at the moment,” the City minister told the Financial Times, which first reported the [...]
London Underground extension: Two new Northern line opened this morning September 20, 2021 London Underground’s first major expansion this century has opened this morning. Two new Northern line stations opened in south London following a £1.1bn project. The first train on the new route departed from Battersea Power Station at 5.28am this morning. It called at the other new station, Nine Elms, before reaching the existing station of [...]
Worker shortages could last for two years September 20, 2021 Worker shortages plaguing the UK economy pose a significant long term risk to the British jobs market. Over three quarters of businesses are concerned poor access to workers will hold back the UK labour market’s competitiveness, the highest proportion on record, according to research by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) published today. Matthew Fell, [...]
Brits encouraged to back pubs and restaurants on National Hospitality Day September 17, 2021 Londoners have been called on to go out for a drink or meal this weekend to support businesses recovering from multiple lockdowns. Sector charities have organised National Hospitality Day on Saturday to raise awareness of the struggles faced by businesses because of the pandemic. Businesses participating include Brewdog bars offering free pints, Zizzi giving out [...]