Shares in Go Compare jump as insurance entrepreneur Sir Peter Wood ups stake March 5, 2019 Shares in Go Compare jumped more than six per cent this morning on the news that British entrepreneur Sir Peter Wood had increased his holding in the price comparison website. Go Compare chairman Wood, who founded Direct Line, Esure and Sheilas’ Wheels, increased his shareholding in the company from 25.6 per cent to 29.9 per cent, [...]
Financial Conduct Authority confirms rent-to-own price cap implementation March 5, 2019 A price cap on the cost of buying household goods through rent-to-own deals will be introduced next month, the City watchdog has confirmed. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which announced a crackdown on the sector in November last year, has set a price cap of 100 per cent on the interest customers can be charged in a move [...]
Direct Line operating profits slip as it warns on impact of no-deal Brexit March 5, 2019 Direct Line posted a fall in full-year earnings this morning, with the blue-chip insurer striking a cautious tone over threats of a "disruptive Brexit". In outgoing boss Paul Geddes’ final annual results statement for Britain's largest motor insurer, operating profits dipped during the 12 months and the total dividend payout was slashed. "The increased focus on [...]
UK construction activity falls for first time in 11 months March 4, 2019 UK construction activity declined in February for the first time in eleven months led by a drop in commercial building work. Civil engineering work also fell but residential construction continued to grow for the 13th consecutive month, according to the IHS Markit / CIPS Construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI). The survey of businesses also found [...]
Aviva names insurance veteran as new CEO as it aims to boost shareholder returns March 4, 2019 Aviva has appointed a new chief executive five months after sacking former boss Mark Wilson, saying it had “much further to go” to enhance shareholder value. The insurer has named company veteran Maurice Tulloch as its new boss effective immediately, who will leave his position as boss of Aviva’s international business. I am honoured to [...]
PwC back with a vengeance at top of audit client rankings March 3, 2019 Accountancy giant PwC has become the leading auditor of listed UK clients for the first time since 2013, retaking its FTSE 100 client crown in the process. PwC, Britain’s biggest professional services firm by revenues, leapfrogged fourth-placed KPMG to take pole position. The smaller firm lost 12 clients between November last year and February, while [...]
Trade secretary Liam Fox admits the UK may have ‘no option’ but to delay Brexit March 3, 2019 Trade secretary Liam Fox has conceded that the UK may have "no option" but to extend the date on which it leaves the EU, as the government battles to avoid another parliamentary defeat over its Brexit deal. Fox, a Brexiter, said the while he wanted Britain to leave the EU on the scheduled departure date [...]
Treasury agrees to publish key agreement with RBS in wake of GRG allegations March 3, 2019 The Treasury has yielded to pressure from MPs to publish a key agreement it signed with RBS following allegations it had significant influence over the bank’s disgraced global restructuring unit GRG. Following parliamentary questions lodged by the MP Martin Whitfield, the Treasury has agreed to publish the accession agreement it signed with RBS when the [...]
President of Slovenia backs Brexit extension, adding ‘a lot’ more EU states would do the same March 2, 2019 The President of Slovenia has said his country and many others in the EU would be open to an extension of the Brexit leaving date. Prime Minister Theresa may this week said MPs would get a vote over whether to ask for an extension to Britain’s March 29 exit date for more negotiation if her [...]
EU ready to give UK more guarantees Irish backstop is temporary March 2, 2019 The European Union is prepared to offer more guarantees to the UK that the Irish border backstop is only intended to be temporary with less than two weeks until parliament vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's deal. The bloc's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has labelled the backstop as an "insurance" but has moved to [...]