Aviva beats profit expectations amidst Direct Line takeover February 27, 2025 Aviva Plc smashed expectations in its annual profit results amidst its landmark takeover of fellow insurer Direct Line. The FTSE 100 giant posted a 20 per cent increase in operating profit to £1.77bn in 2024. The target surpassed Bloomberg analyst expectations of £1.71bn. Shares in Aviva have returned 11 per cent so far this year, [...]
Hiscox: Profit hits record at Lloyd’s of London insurer February 27, 2025 Lloyd’s of London insurer Hiscox has reported a record profit for the year ended 31 December 2024, with pre-tax earnings reaching $685.4m (£541.5m), a 9.5 per cent increase from the previous year. The insurance group’s net insurance contract written premiums rose to $3.7bn (£2.9bn) in 2023, up from $3.6bn (£2.8bn) in 2023. Insurance contract written [...]
Private enterprise is feeling positive about growth February 27, 2025 Despite what’s looking to be a tough year ahead, businesses are confident about their growth prospects in the next 12 months, says Euan West Everyone in the business world is talking about growth in 2025, but the big question on everyone’s lips is whether we will achieve it. Whether being used in a positive or [...]
Question the hype: AI still faces huge barriers February 27, 2025 AI models have developed at a pace that was unimaginable just two years ago, but there are three big barriers to further progress, says Lewis Z Liu As the current revolution in artificial intelligence accelerates, it is more important than ever for society to engage in a well-informed debate about this technology. Through this column, [...]
A sandwich revolution and the City of London February 26, 2025 The humble sandwich is having a revolution in London, but Carys Sharkey takes a tour of the City to see if bigger is always better In the City, queues spill out of sandwich shop doors as the rigmarole of work is punctured by bread and spread. But the sandwich is no longer a humble thing. [...]
Is the UK economy on the mend following Budget fallout? February 26, 2025 The economy is only slightly larger than it was at the time that Labour took office, while GDP per head actually fell in the second half of last year.
Workers’ rights? Labour’s employment bill gives workers a worse deal February 26, 2025 Punishing employers doesn't help workers. Left as it is, Labour's new employment bill will only damage the labour market, writes James Reed.
Businesses face ‘powder keg’ of costs as Budget tax hikes loom February 26, 2025 The vast majority of businesses will be forced to change their plans as a result of the government’s tax raid, a new survey shows, which will result in higher prices for consumers and thousands of lost jobs. More than four out of five business leaders (82 per cent) said Labour’s national insurance hike will have [...]
One in ten part-time retail jobs at risk from changes to tax thresholds February 26, 2025 A leading retail body has warned that up to 160,000 part-time jobs could be at risk over the next three years due to the rising cost of employment. Part-time roles are particularly susceptible to tax changes announced at the Budget. Retailers will be taxed on any employee earning more than £5,000, down from the current [...]
The West has been free riding on US defence spending February 25, 2025 The West has been free riding on US defence spending for decades. It's no surprise Trump is now calling us to account, writes Paul Ormerod.