Report: Post Office getting close to a deal with British lender to offer small business banking services at 11,500 branches December 20, 2015 British banks are reportedly nearing a deal with the Post Office that could lead to the closure of thousands of local bank branches. Under the agreement, the Post Office will be able to serve small business customers from leading UK banks. The Post Office, which operates over 11,500 branches across the country, currently provides deposit [...]
Countdown to Christmas: From Volkswagen’s emissions scandal and Ed Ball’s surprise defeat at the General Election to the Paris terror attacks, these are the most surprising news stories of 2015 December 20, 2015 Some news you register with perhaps a shrug of the shoulder, while other stories might prompt an arched eyebrow. There are some events, however, that make you sit up and pay attention. This year was not without a few of those key moments – good and bad – that gripped us. Here are the most [...]
UK labour market: The UK is working more hours than ever before, as wage growth slides December 16, 2015 UK workers toiled for more than a billion hours per week between August and October, figures published today showed – which means the UK is working more hours than ever before. Labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the employment rate hit 73.9 per cent during the period, the highest since records began [...]
Christmas gifts 2015: Almost half of UK adults have at least one relative living abroad and 16 December is expected to be the day we are most likely to send money overseas December 16, 2015 Business has become more global but it turns out the same is true for family matters. A study out today from the Post Office International Payments has found that 41 per cent of UK adults now have at least one relative living overseas. So, if you've found yourself grappling with last postage dates for overseas for [...]
We’ve reached peak Christmas jumper: How to predict 2016’s must-have fashion December 15, 2015 What would you buy Jeremy Corbyn for Christmas? Printable answers only, please. But somehow a Christmas jumper seems appropriate. First, it would match the 1980s-style shell suit he wore the other day. Second, he might like one featuring a portrait of Stalin and the slogan “Teacher, Leader, Friend”, a phrase in widespread use in the [...]
UK inflation: We’re back in the black as inflation moves into positive territory December 15, 2015 UK inflation rose to 0.1 per cent in November, figures by the Office for National Statistics showed today – putting the UK back into positive territory for the first time since July. But analysts were less than optimistic about its ability to stay in the black. The figures showed rises in transport costs and alcohol [...]
Banks have a duty to regain public trust – and it may take a generation December 14, 2015 Trust in the financial services sector remains stubbornly low. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, only half of the countries surveyed put their faith in financial services. And the picture is even worse for banks. From 2014 to 2015, trust in banks declined in two thirds of the countries covered, with the highest levels of [...]
Financial workers are the most likely to miss the last train after the office Christmas party December 14, 2015 It's no secret that the City’s high-flyers are not the best at day-to-day life admin, but it would appear that as soon as a drink touches a financier’s lips all ability to take any mode of transport evaporates. Recent research has revealed that City workers and those in finance are the absolute worst for missing [...]
Greene King boss Rooney Anand joins Morrisons’ board December 14, 2015 The chief executive of Greene King, Rooney Anand, has been appointed as non-executive director and senior independent director of the supermarket Morrisons. Anand, whose career includes stints at United Biscuits and Sara Lee, before joining Greene King as managing director in 2001, will join the board from 1 January. His appointment is one of several key hires [...]
Cashless Britain: Mobile payments are transforming our society – cash could be obsolete in the UK by 2020 December 13, 2015 A woman waves her watch at the automated barrier to gain entry to the train. When she exits she will do the same and her fee will be automatically calculated. Apart from the one-time set-up of her account, she has nothing else to do. No ticket to order, no card to carry, no ticket to [...]