Nearly half of tenants struggle to pay rent with millions now facing ‘financial vulnerability’ July 14, 2023 Nearly half of tenants are struggling to pay their rent, with millions now spending more of their disposable income on renting costs than homeowners. As the cost of living crisis has led many landlords to up the costs of rent, some 21 per cent of tenants report spending a higher proportion of their disposable income [...]
Cash still king in the City compared to rest of London but amount withdrawn almost halves July 13, 2023 Westminster and the City remained London’s biggest centres for cash withdrawals but saw a near halving in the amount of cash withdrawn over the past four years. According to figures from LINK, which operates the interbank network, the amount of cash withdrawals from the City and Westminster fell to £55m in May 2023, 49 per [...]
Sunak accepts six per cent public sector pay rises but warns it ‘will cost all of you as taxpayers’ July 13, 2023 Government has accepted recommendations for millions of public sector workers to receive pay rises of six per cent or more, Rishi Sunak has announced. The prime minister said today reports from independent pay bodies calling for public sector pay rises of between five and 6.5 per cent for millions of medics, teachers and civil servants [...]
Ofcom opens Virgin Media probe after customers struggle to ditch contracts July 13, 2023 Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether Virgin Media broke rules surrounding contract termination and the handling of complaints. The company has gained the attention of Ofcom after customers filed a significant number of complaints that the firm was making it difficult for them to cancel contracts. The UK communications regulator said their rules are [...]
Inflation? Have a Rolex instead. Watches of Switzerland revenue up a quarter as mega-rich keep spending July 13, 2023 Watches of Switzerland reported a 25 per cent hike in revenues for the year, as the demand from the mega rich for luxury goods shows no signs of stalling despite the cost of living crisis. The luxury watch seller reached revenues of £1.54bn up from £1.23bn compared to the same period last year, as it [...]
Domino’s Pizza appoints experienced Aus boss as as new chief: ‘A textbook definition of a safe pair of hands’ July 13, 2023 Domino’s Pizza has appointed a new chief executive, bringing in the chain’s Sydney-listed head for over two decades. Andrew Rennie will get a slice of the action right at the top, having previously been its chief in France and Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, and most recently, Europe, which includes its ‘master franchise agreements’ in [...]
Businesses need to stop looking for a public pat on the back and gold stars July 13, 2023 Businesses must realise that just bragging about how good they are is not a great communication strategy. They won't win a gold star for just doing their job, writes Simon Neville
Channel 4 bosses decline pay rise as staff battle cost of living crisis and revenues dip July 12, 2023 Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon said the broadcaster’s top executives declined a pay rise and deferred their bonuses to stay “in line” with staff who are battling the cost-of-living crisis amid a “tough downturn” in the advertising market for the channel. The broadcaster’s annual report published on Wednesday said it had to “significantly” tighten the [...]
UK families set for another year of cost of living crisis and £65bn hit to finances July 12, 2023 UK families are poised to be gripped by the cost of living crisis for nearly another whole year due to the Bank of England keeping interest rates higher for longer in a bid to vanquish inflation, a new report out today claims. Household finances will be corroded by rising living costs and elevated rates until [...]
UK must prioritise financial inclusion over the City’s competitiveness, says former FCA chair July 11, 2023 The UK “can’t go on” prioritising the competitiveness of the City over the financial access of millions of vulnerable people during a cost of living crunch, the former chair of the Financial Conduct Authority has warned.