Hong Kong protesters should be welcomed December 2, 2019 What connects China’s systematic abuse of human rights with the Tory party’s commitment to a “global Britain” post-Brexit? The answer is Hong Kong. Even before the protests of recent months captured the world’s attention, China’s erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong and its sprawling security presence meant that the rights and freedoms which the [...]
The Xmas endgame: Why retailers are wasting their money on Christmas TV adverts December 2, 2019 An estimated £6.8bn has been spent on creating and buying airtime for this year’s crop of Christmas commercials — up nearly five per cent on last year’s spend. Certainly, the ads boast high production values, but was this money well spent, or would these brands have been better off holding onto the cash and hoping [...]
Daily Mail owner buys i newspaper for £50m November 29, 2019 The owner of the Daily Mail has snapped up the i newspaper for £49.6m, bringing to an end part of a drawn-out sales process by publishing group JPI Media. The Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), which also owns Metro, announced the acquisition in a short statement released today. Read more: Publishing group Reach pulls [...]
Who’s buying UK shares and what does it tell us? November 29, 2019 High demand for UK-quoted companies from large and experienced buyers suggests other investors may be overlooking an opportunity. Will a UK general election on 12 December help break the Brexit stalemate? Possibly, possibly not. The ongoing uncertainty means investors of almost every stripe remain cautious about buying UK equities (shares). I stress ‘almost’ because some [...]
Npower announces major restructuring which could cost 4,500 jobs November 29, 2019 Struggling energy firm Npower today announced a restructuring of its UK business that could cost thousands of jobs. Unions sources said the shake-up could lead to 4,500 UK job losses and the closure of a number of call centres, the Mirror reported. Yesterday, Npower reported that it had lost 261,000 customers in the third quarter, [...]
Boris Johnson says David Cameron government’s austerity was a mistake November 28, 2019 Boris Johnson has lashed the Cameron government for six years of austerity, saying the policy direction was a mistake. The Prime Minister hit out at the keystone economic policy of the Cameron years, comparing it to post-war food-rationing by then-Labour chancellor Stafford Cripps. Read more: Boris Johnson apologises to Muslim community He told The Spectator: [...]
Dominic Cummings is quitting government, but not for the reason you think November 28, 2019 Reports of Dominic Cummings’ political death have been greatly exaggerated. It was first reported by The Guardian last night that the controversial special adviser (spad), and Brexit campaign mastermind had resigned three weeks ago. Read more: In defence of my friend Dominic Cummings Social media was humming this morning with news of Cummings’ demise, with [...]
UDG in excellent health as profits rise in full year results November 26, 2019 UDG Healthcare, the international healthcare services supplier, posted a rise in annual profit today on the back of less one-off charges and margin improvements. The FTSE 250 firm also said its earnings per share rose seven per cent in the company’s year end results, at the top end of its previous guidance. Read more: Compass [...]
De La Rue shares plunge as it scraps dividend and warns of ‘significant doubt’ over future November 26, 2019 De La Rue has bailed on plans for a dividend this year and warned there is “significant doubt” on its ability to continue to operate, sending shares plummeting. “We have concluded there is a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern,” it said today as it [...]
TSB to slash up to 400 jobs as it shutters stores in cost-cutting plan November 25, 2019 TSB has announced plans to close 82 branches next year and slash up to 400 jobs as part of a strategy overhaul aimed at saving £100m by 2022. Unveiling a new three-year strategic plan, chief executive Debbie Crosbie today said the savings would help deliver a 15 percentage point improvement to the bank’s cost to [...]