DEBATE: Are great startups always about having a great idea? October 14, 2019 Are great startups always about having a great idea? Lily Covington, senior strategist at commercial strategy firm Cruxy & Co., says YES. Marketing guru and Silicon Valley mastermind Guy Kawasaki famously said “ideas are easy, implementation is hard”. But while ideas may be easy, truly great ideas are anything but. In the fast-paced and saturated [...]
Government criticised for refusal to extend financial watchdog’s remit October 10, 2019 The government has been criticised for refusing to back a policy that would allow the financial regulator to recommend changes to its remit after the chair of the watchdog warned that regulatory loopholes were being exploited by “bad people”. In a report released in August, the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) had recommended the Financial Conduct [...]
Majority of British drivers unaware of documents needed for no-deal Brexit October 9, 2019 Millions of British motorists are not aware they may be required to carry an insurance green card to drive in Europe after Brexit. UK citizens driving in the EU will need the card in the case of a no-deal Brexit to prove they have third-party insurance. Read more: Johnson facing cabinet revolt over a possible [...]
Arron Banks apologises for Leave.EU anti-German Angela Merkel tweet that ‘went too far’ October 9, 2019 Leave.EU founder Arron Banks apologised today for an anti-German tweet featuring chancellor Angela Merkel that was published by the pro-Brexit group. The tweet featured a picture of Merkel next to the tagline: “We didn’t win two world wars to be pushed around by a kraut”. Banks, who initially defended the tweet which was posted yesterday, [...]
The public wants leadership on climate, not a bitter culture war October 9, 2019 The plan by Extinction Rebellion offshoot Animal Rebellion to shut down Billingsgate fish market is one of the daftest things I’ve heard. In the list of priorities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the fishing industry is nowhere. Wild-caught seafood is probably the lowest carbon source of animal protein you can eat, so it’s hard to [...]
UK insolvency rates tipped to grow by 10 per cent in 2019 October 7, 2019 Global insolvency rates are rising for the first time since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash with the UK expected to be the worst hit, according to a multinational insurance company. An insolvency outlook report by Atradius forecasts business failure rates will increase by 10 per cent this year in Britain and by 2.7 [...]
UK energy boss conned out of £200,000 in ‘deep fake’ fraud October 6, 2019 A top energy executive has been conned out of £200,000 by cyber scammers who used artificial intelligence to mimic his boss’s voice. The UK boss of an unnamed energy firm was tricked into transferring the money following a phone call from that appeared to come from his boss at the German parent company, the Mail [...]
Thomas Cook paid more than £20m to advisers in days before collapse October 5, 2019 Thomas Cook paid more than £20m to over 30 advisers in its final days as it failed to secure a rescue deal. The payout added to the cash deficit that led to the company’s collapse, with advisers working on behalf of the company, bondholders, shareholders, the pension fund and insurance schemes. They were all involved [...]
AA share price knocked as FCA warns insurers it could ban loyalty premiums October 4, 2019 The UK’s financial watchdog may ban loyalty premiums for customers who renew their home and motor insurance as it outlined a raft of possible remedies to address market competition issues. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said today that “competition is not working well for all consumers”, with 6m people paying high prices without getting a [...]
Sun, sea and skint Spaniards: Spain plans up €300m tourism rescue package after Thomas Cook collapse October 3, 2019 Spain is preparing a $300m rescue package for its tourism industry, after the collapse of Thomas Cook is said to have left bars deserted and beaches empty at its holiday hotspots. The country’s tourism minister said the cash would be split across 13 different measures, including a credit line for companies struggling to cope. Read [...]