City hits out at new loan cop March 25, 2010 BANKS have slammed government plans for a credit adjudication service to force them to lend more money to businesses, describing the idea as “just another layer of bureaucracy”. Alistair Darling used Wednesday’s Budget to announce the creation of a watchdog which would be able to intervene when a company felt it had been unfairly refused [...]
Beat the blues with a slice of Caribbean sun March 25, 2010 WINTER is finally over, and the sun has been reminding us all of its existence in the past week or so. If you are already thinking ahead to next year and wondering how you will get through another few months of darkness and “snow days”, there’s a solution: buy a home in the Caribbean. Barbados [...]
Going underground to extend your home March 25, 2010 IT seems we Britons are spending more and more time down under – in our basements, that is. No longer storerooms for junk, these subterranean spaces are increasingly becoming part of our homes, and their uses increasingly varied, with owners busy moulding cinema rooms, saunas, gyms, even golf simulator rooms. And that’s just in your [...]
2010 is the year of the big move to the country March 25, 2010 MANY who earn their crust in London dream of living in the country, and there are good reasons to make 2010 the year to make the move. While the property markets in the desirable parts of London have now fully recovered, with prices similar to those achieved in the 2007 peak, the same isn’t true [...]
A central London property means you can avoid the Tube crush and commute on foot March 25, 2010 ONE in 500 Londoners currently walks to work, and those who have witnessed the capital’s rush-hour crush, when mild-mannered professionals turn into a baying rabble, stamping over the elderly, the sick or the pregnant – anyone who gets in between them and a seat – will understand the appeal of this arrangement. The journey to [...]
City workers slam class war Budget March 24, 2010 THE City was left unconvinced by yesterday’s Budget, slamming Darling for failing to provide a clear outline on how the government was planning to reduce its huge deficit. Banks were being sent a contradictory message, critics said, pointing out that Darling has asked nationalised banks such as Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland to [...]
Darling: Lend or we will cut bank bonuses March 24, 2010 THE government is threatening to slash bonuses at state-owned Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) if they miss their target of lending £94bn this year. Government papers published alongside chancellor Alistair Darling’s Budget said UK Financial Investments, which controls the taxpayer’s stake in the banks, had the power to “work with the [...]
WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY’S BUDGET? March 21, 2010 ROGER BOOTLE | DELOITTE “The chancellor will point to the fragility of the economic recovery in resisting calls from some economists for a faster fiscal consolidation. Any modest proceeds from lower unemployment and the bonus tax windfall are likely to be largely spent rather than saved, hardening the election battle lines.” DAVID BUIK | BGC [...]
Captain marvel can go steady for Eddie March 15, 2010 TOP trainer Eddie Harty is backing Captain Cee Bee to justify his favouritism in his bid for Arkle glory at Cheltenham this afternoon. Harty tasted Festival success with Cee Bee two years ago when the horse romped home in the Supreme Novices’ Chase. He sat out the whole of last season with injury, but has [...]
Get Me Out Of Here can get Festival off to a flyer March 15, 2010 WILLIAM Hill are as short as 4/6 about Irish raider Dunguib in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the opening contest of the four day meeting. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner could well be something special, but that is more than reflected in his price. I think he will probably win, but certainly wouldn’t be backing him [...]