The Capitalist: Tory Conference; sex in the City; matters of quizness October 3, 2024 Dispatches from Tory Party Conference, recruitment turns steamy and more: catch up on the latest City gossip in The Capitalist.
Maternity pay is an investment, not a cost October 3, 2024 Shortsighted criticism of the cost and admin involved in maternity leave do not take account of the wider benefits to society, says John Oxley There may be some businesses that bristle at the costs and admin of maternity leave. While the state essentially picks up the tab for statutory leave, this doesn’t stretch to the [...]
Let’s be honest… the Conservatives are deluded October 3, 2024 The Conservative Party is enjoying the sugar rush of a leadership campaign, but the grim reality of opposition will soon sink in, says Matthew Lesh The vibe at the Conservative Party conference this week in Birmingham was chipper. Well-lubricated members excitedly shuffled between drinks receptions headlined by the four leadership contenders. There were impromptu rallies, [...]
Tories must get out of their bubble and listen to business October 2, 2024 To those outside the bubble of true blue believers, Conservative party conference looked deranged. As violence exploded in the Middle East, delegates in Birmingham were battling over novelty merchandise and queuing for selfies with election losers. Fringe events debating the meaning of conservatism were packed while corporate sponsors and business lobbyists were conspicuous by their [...]
London Stock Exchange raid accelerates as buyers pounce on FTSE 350 firms October 2, 2024 The London Stock Exchange could be gutted of nearly £100bn worth of companies after a record number of large listed firms fell into the sights of private buyers this year. Corporates and private equity firms have now launched some £47bn worth of offers for London-listed companies in the year to date, including 19 FTSE 350 [...]
All you missed in the Tory leadership speeches: Badenoch dubbed ‘arrogant’, Cleverly wants party to be ‘normal’ October 2, 2024 Tory leadership candidate James Cleverly has urged his party to “be more normal” and take inspiration from US president Ronald Reagan. Making his leadership campaign speech at the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Cleverly opened his address from behind a lectern with an apology to the public. The former home and foreign secretary said: [...]
Ahead of the Game: Yorkshire land financial boost from Castore deal October 2, 2024 Yorkshire have agreed a multi-million pound kit deal with Castore in a major boost for the cash-strapped county. The five-year contract is the first significant commercial deal brought to the club since their leadership was overhauled following the return of Colin Graves as chairman in February. Graves has yet to secure the £4m outside investment [...]
The British government should make Saudi Arabia a top priority October 1, 2024 Interview with Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston Bilateral trade between Great Britain and Saudi Arabia has grown considerably in recent years. Indeed, the total trade in goods and services between the two Kingdoms amounted to £17.6 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024. This makes Saudi Arabia the United Kingdom’s twenty-third-largest [...]
Is Rachel Reeves planning a £24bn pension tax raid? October 1, 2024 It has been reported that the Treasury is considering what could amount to a £24bn pension tax raid as Rachel Reeves tries to plug her £22bn budget black hole. The Chancellor has reportedly been looking at tax relief on pension contributions, specifically, employers’ national insurance relief. There are two forms of national insurance. Employees, paid [...]
Libor: After more than 50 years, tainted benchmark is officially no more October 1, 2024 Libor, the more than 50-year-old benchmark borrowing rate, has officially been phased out after an arduous process kickstarted by a rigging scandal in the early 2010s.