FTSE 100 close: British Gas owner propels to top of London index after record profit July 27, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 bumped higher today after a manic morning of company earnings gave a lift to market sentiment. The capital’s premier index added 0.21 per cent to reach 7,692.77 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, climbed 0.45 per cent to 19,273.37 points. [...]
Storm brewing at Tetley Tea as workers vote on strike July 27, 2023 Workers at Tetley Tea have threatened strike action if a ballot by the GMB union passes in a move that could see 150 workers walk out from 3 August, threatening supplies of one of the nation’s favourite tea brands. A majority of 88 per cent of GMB members at Tata Consumer Products, based in Teesside, [...]
Scottish Power posts £576m profits as energy firms rebound after Ofgem move July 27, 2023 Scottish Power is the latest energy firm to post a hefty rebound in profits, powered by Ofgem's decision to permit generous allowances.
European Central Bank hoists interest rates to joint record high of 3.75 per cent July 27, 2023 The European Central Bank (ECB) today lifted interest rates for the ninth time in a row, following the US Federal Reserve’s rise last night. It means the eurozone’s key interest rate now stands at 3.75 per cent, its highest level in 22 years. President Christine Lagarde and the rest of the governing council opted for [...]
Don’t ‘clobber’ Londoners with ULEZ, Rachel Reeves says July 27, 2023 Now is not the right time to “clobber” Londoners with the ULEZ charge, Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. The shadow chancellor has weighed in on the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) expansion row engulfing City Hall and Labour politics in the wake of the Uxbridge by-election defeat. She told the Sun she was [...]
Frasers: The boy done good! Ashley son-in-law guides firm to £5bn revenue July 27, 2023 Frasers Group revenues surged 15.8 per cent in the last financial year, totalling £5.56bn, as the retail powerhouse shows signs of performing well under the reign of new chief Michael Murray. Murray, who is the son in law of founder and business tycoon Mike Ashley, took over the business in 2022 after Ashley announced plans [...]
Investors prepare to see if British Airways owner will soar this summer July 26, 2023 British Airways owner IAG is set to report its half year results this Friday, amid what is widely touted as the most important summer for airlines in years. Aviation has experienced an extraordinary boom in demand over the last six months as it enters the first truly restriction free, high volume period since before the [...]
Complaints of sexism emerge around forced resignation of Natwest boss Alison Rose July 26, 2023 Complaints of sexism have emerged after Natwest boss Dame Alison Rose was forced to resigned late last night after admitting she was the source for an inaccurate BBC report on Nigel Farage’s Coutts account closure. Rose stepped down in the early hours of this morning after an extraordinary late-night board meeting – just hours after [...]
Loss of tax-free shopping costing the UK £4.1bn, say London bosses July 26, 2023 Scrapping the tourist tax could generate £4.1bn annually for the UK economy, new research suggests, as a cluster of prominent business owners call for the government to reinstate VAT shopping for international tourists. Rishi Sunak scrapped the tax which saw international shoppers able to claim 20 per cent back with their purchases. It was largely [...]
Fish and chip-per: ‘Classic’ pub grub leads the way for Marston’s surging sales July 26, 2023 Marston’s thanked warmer weather in June and appetite for classic pub like fish and chips grub for a surge in like-for-like sales for the 16 weeks ended July. Unusually hot spells at the start of summer drove customers to pubs, with more people drinking and dining out hiking like-for-like sales by 10.9 per cent. Group [...]