Plunging inflation may knock deficit reduction February 17, 2015 Inflation fell to a record low in January, giving a welcome boost to hard-pressed households – but a group of economists warned the drop will harm the government’s finances, because tax receipts rise when prices go up. Prices rose by just 0.3 per cent in the 12 months to January, the Office for National Statistics said [...]
New car registrations speed to eight-year high February 5, 2015 The UK car industry made a roaring start to the year with sales soaring 6.7 per cent in January, the highest level for that month since 2007. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said a total 164,856 cars were sold in January, compared to the 154,562 units shifted the same month a year [...]
Davos: Who will be at the World Economic Forum? January 20, 2015 THE WORLD’S elite will gather in Davos today for the World Economic Forum, as business, politics and celebrity converge in the name of global development. The biggest name of the year making a splash at Davos is William Adams (aka Will.I.Am), but fellow singer Pharrell will also be bringing a little happiness to Switzerland. It’s [...]
Davos 2015: Who’s going to the World Economic Forum? January 20, 2015 Where else do world leaders, economists, royalty and even a celeb or two cross paths? It can only be Davos. The World Economic Forum’s annual summit hosts a privileged few, but if you’re lucky enough to be visiting, here’s who to look out for. If, like most people, you’ll be remaining at your desk and [...]
Black Friday consumer finance demand boosts Arbuthnot Bank January 15, 2015 CONFIDENT consumers boosted growth at Arbuthnot Banking Group in the fourth quarter, spurring extra lending in its Secure Trust Bank (STB). STB’s loan book grew “materially” to more than £600m, with retail and automotive finance leading the expansion. Black Friday – the day of mass retail discounts before Christmas – saw a 1,300 per cent increase in [...]
UK car sales hit 10-year high in 2014: High consumer confidence and boost to industry January 7, 2015 The number of new cars sold in the UK reached a 10-year high in 2014, new figures show. Over the whole of last year 2,476,435 new cars were registered, according to figures released yesterday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the fourth-best year of all time regarding the [...]
Ticking over nicely: UK car sales at highest for 10 years in 2014 January 6, 2015 Sales of new cars rocketed to a 10-year high in 2014, much stronger than previously expected. New registrations were helped along by the UK’s economic recovery boosting consumer confidence and sweetened by attractive financing deals. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, told Reuters that sales in 2014 had been [...]
UN Universal Children’s Day: Why child rights are good for business – ACCA Comment November 19, 2014 If firms fail to protect children in the supply chain, they risk harm to their bottom line. Today is the UN’s Universal Children’s Day. Held on 20 November every year, this occasion recognises the welfare of children around the world and commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in [...]
Cabot Square acquires Blue Motor Finance November 16, 2014 CABOT Square Capital, the specialist financial services private equity investor, has bought car finance provider Blue Motor Finance, the private equity firm told City A.M. yesterday. Sources close to the transaction understand that Cabot Square planned to invest around £30m-£40m in the company. The Cheshire-based Blue Motor Finance has also obtained a new £200m long-term [...]
Money for old rope as Melrose pulls in £365m October 13, 2014 MELROSE Industries is selling its rope-manufacturing arm Bridon to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) for £365m. As part of the deal, British investment company Melrose will contribute £6.7m towards the Bridon Group (2013) pension scheme, which will remain with Bridon on disposal. Melrose said it intends to use the proceeds of the sale to [...]