E-bike explosions caused by dodgy batteries are ‘the fastest growing fire risk’ in London June 13, 2023 Dodgy batteries on e-bikes and scooters are the “fastest growing fire risk in the capital,” a top London Fire Brigade official has warned, as he joined calls for more regulation. Deputy Commissioner of London’s Fire Brigade Dom Ellis said that the force had been called out to 58 e-bike fires and 14 involving e-scooters this [...]
HSBC to wind down New Zealand wealth and personal banking arm as pivot to Asia picks up pace June 13, 2023 HSBC will be winding down its wealth and personal banking businesses in New Zealand as it continues its withdrawal from various markets around the world. In a statement the bank said “it has become clear that we can no longer justify investing into this business given the changing operating requirements in the market and scalability [...]
London thrives when it’s dealing with risk – just ask the insurers June 13, 2023 The City is at its best when it's dealing with risk - and regulators and policymakers need to catch up with the idea
London insurers provide cover for ‘critical’ oil recovery operation on stranded Yemen tanker June 13, 2023 LONDON’s insurance market can add a new feather to its cap – after coming together to facilitate a high-risk operation to prevent a stranded ship causing a potentially catastrophic oil spill. Insurance giant Howden was appointed by the UN’s Development Programme to arrange cover for a procedure that will see more than a million barrels-worth [...]
Risk aversion is ‘endemic’ in UK, pensions chief warns June 13, 2023 The UK is in the grip of “endemic” risk aversion when it comes to investment, a pensions chief executive has warned yesterday. Tracy Blackwell, chief executive of Pensions Insurance Corporation, said the country needed to embrace the risk of the markets and look to divert capital into more productive areas of the economy. “How we [...]
UK car insurance costs likely to rise for another two years, report says June 12, 2023 UK car insurance costs are set to rise for at least another two years, according to a new report. The price for Brits to insure their cars is expected to rise 14 per cent in 2023 and will not flatten until 2025, according to a report by consultancy Oxbow Partners. It comes as inflation has [...]
Forget the Parthenon – Why alternative Athens is a must June 12, 2023 Away from the historical monuments, Ash Hiden gets to grips with Athens’ vibrant food and drink scene You will want to see the Parthenon. I get it. The imposing temple on the hill of the Acropolis serves as an ancient advertisement for Athens, stamping your mental passport like a marble version of the Hollywood Sign. [...]
Women’s Ashes: England name squad for historic series June 12, 2023 England have named their squad for this summer’s Women’s Ashes series. Lauren Filer and Danielle Gibson could make their debuts for England in a series which has seen well over 70,000 tickets sold. The Women’s Ashes sees England and Australia compete in one Test, three International Twenty20 matches and three One-Day Internationals. The likes of [...]
Slow down! MPs and industry call for insurance and number plates for e-bikes June 11, 2023 E-bikes should be insured and have number plates due to the safety risks for pedestrians posed by speedy riders, warned MPs and industry members on Sunday. As more and more e-bikes take to the streets of the UK and counts of widely reported incidents grow, calls are growing for measures to help bring the electric [...]
Sunak defends “progressive” UK tax system June 10, 2023 Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK’s tax system is “very progressive” as he brushed off questions about his own financial affairs. The Prime Minister paid an effective rate of around 22% on his substantial income because the majority came from capital gains rather than earnings. But Mr Sunak insisted the tax system was fair for [...]