War in Ukraine: UK says Russian ‘troll factory’ is ‘plaguing’ social media with pro-war propaganda May 2, 2022 The Kremlin has is using a “troll factory” to “plague” social media with pro-war propaganda, the foreign office has claimed after new research. A UK-funded study claimed the Kremlin has acquired “cyber soldiers” to target UK politicians and spread “lies” on social media, about the war in Ukraine. According to a statement from the foreign [...]
Passport delays could cost £1.1bn in cancelled summer trips May 2, 2022 Delays in the processing of UK passports could cost £1.1bn in cancelled summer trips, according to a research published today. Data from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) has forecast a 50 per cent probability of timely renewals, with around one million holiday goers facing cancellations. “Assuming that passport holders are somewhat more [...]
Saturday Sitdown: MovePlan’s EMEA chief on rethinking ESG as working policies are being rewired April 30, 2022 Over the last few years, ESG has become integral in any business strategy, and rightly so. It’s a deal-breaker not just for investors but also for those considering new roles. In fact, City A.M. recently reported how businesses with poor ESG credentials are struggling to attract talent, a sure sign of the importance of substantive [...]
Pernod Ricard cautions ‘softer’ fourth quarter as China hit by Covid lockdowns April 28, 2022 Absolut vodka maker Pernod Ricard has warned it faces a softer fourth quarter against a backdrop of Covid restrictions in China. The spirits firm’s chief financial officer said it was anticipating “an impact” from Covid restrictions during the fourth quarter. “March was very impacted by the start of Covid restrictions,” Helene de Tissot told the [...]
Whitbread issues stark warning on sector cost inflation April 28, 2022 Premier Inns owner Whitbread has cautioned hospitality sector cost inflation will hit a higher level than anticipated. The hotel chain owner said cost inflation this financial year was anticipated to reach between eight and nine per cent, one per cent more than previously expected. The group said it anticipated to largely offset these higher levels [...]
The City View: August CEO Mélie Dunod on rethinking holiday home co-ownership April 27, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Mélie Dunod, CEO and co-founder of holiday home co-ownership firm August. She talks us through the company’s inception; why their equity purchase model allows for better and more transparent co-ownership; and the post-Covid re-examination of lifestyle purchases. And in the news: law giant Eversheds Sutherland has re-entered Russia, striking a [...]
400k out of workforce due to health inequality which could lead to £8bn economic drag April 27, 2022 The government has said tackling health disparities is a “priority’, after a new report revealed Illness and covid has driven an estimated 400,000 people from the workforce, leading to a possible £8bn drag on the economy. 1m workers are missing from the workers from before the pandemic, with 400,00 due to illness, including long-Covid, according [...]
How technology is transforming and unlocking real-estate asset classes April 27, 2022 The line between technology and real estate is blurring, bringing new opportunities and asset classes, particularly in residential, office and biotech, says Samantha Kempe, co-founder and chief investment officer of IMMO Capital. The sheer size of the real estate sector – the global figure reached a record $326.5 trillion (about £251.1 trillion) in 2021, according [...]
Zoom stock hits pre-pandemic level as pandemic glow vanishes April 27, 2022 Zoom’s share price has hit February 2020 levels in a sign that the pandemic may be truly over in the Western world. The tech stock jumped around 360 per cent over the course of 2020, and everyone across the world seemed to be glued to a software that was relatively unknown the year before. Fast [...]
Lloyds warns of looming defaults on cost of living shock April 27, 2022 The cost of living shock that is rippling throughout household finances is increasing the chances of borrowers defaulting on their debts, Britain’s biggest mortgage lender warned today. Worsening economic conditions triggered by inflation scaling to 30-year highs is likely to lead to greater financial distress among Brits, Lloyds Bank said today. The bleak assessment touches [...]