Labour MP Diana Johnson claims to have received threatening email over Syria airstrikes as protesters gather outside Stella Creasy’s house December 2, 2015 Labour MPs have been sent threatening emails, faced crowds of protesters gathering outside their house, and even had their own councillors call for them to be deselected if they vote in favour of airstrikes in Syria today. Hull North MP Diana Johnson has received an email saying those who voted in favour of the government's plan would face [...]
Severn Trent share price rises as first half profit inches up as customer complaints fall November 26, 2015 The figures Utility firm Severn Trent's group turnover was broadly flat at £896.1m in the six months to September 30, from a restated £898.3m during the same period a year earlier. The FTSE 100-listed company's underlying profit before interest and tax – another measure of profitability – increased by 2.6 per cent to £281m, up from £273.8m a [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: When it comes to tax credits, it’s heartening to see George Osborne perform a u-turn, even at the cost of looking weak November 25, 2015 In the run-up to the Autumn Statement and Spending Review, the biggest question was what George Osborne was going to do about tax credits. He couldn't u-turn fully, because there was nowhere else to find his £12bn of welfare cuts needed to generate a £10bn surplus by 2020—or so ran the conventional line. Therefore people [...]
Black Friday or Cyber Monday 2015: Which sales bonanza will be the biggest? November 23, 2015 We are heading towards the weekend that retailers are pinning their hopes on. From November 27 we will see Black Friday, before heading into Super Sunday and finally Cyber Monday (apparently Saturday will be just so-so – at least, no one is mentioning it in their marketing). In total, Visa Europe predicts this year's total [...]
Deutsche Bank eyes further job cuts in London to reduce costs November 22, 2015 DEUTSCHE Bank could be about to cut 1,000 more jobs in London as it further scales back on it’s investment bank. Traders, back-office staff and fixed income specialists at the bank could be given redundancy notices in the new year, the Sunday Times reported. Earlier this month Deutsche confirmed ex-Goldman Sachs banker Alasdair Warren will [...]
Bamako Radisson Blu hotel attack: Hostages ‘freed’ after Mali special forces storm building November 20, 2015 Malian special forces have stormed a luxury hotel and seemingly brought an end to a hostage situation in the African state's capital, Bamako. Officials say there are "no more hostages" at the 90-room Radisson Blu Hotel but it is reported that 18 hostages and two gunmen are dead. A Belgian member of parliament, Geoffrey Dieudonne, has been confirmed among [...]
Think Nick Clegg’s fee is steep? Here’s how much former Presidents, Prime Ministers and central bankers make on the after-dinner speaking circuit November 19, 2015 Leading politicians may not earn as much as top entrepreneurs or chief executives while they are in office, but their influence and expertise sure do make for a pleasant afterlife. Last week former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joined the ranks of those making a post-politics income from their experiences. And while Clegg was mocked [...]
Villains of finance: How the world’s most infamous crooks tricked investors – and the tell-tale signs of ponzi schemes November 19, 2015 Victims of the biggest ever Ponzi scheme – Bernie Madoff’s $65bn (£43bn) fraud – are finally getting their money back after seven years, as another tranche of payouts is approved by US courts. The saga is not over yet, as an upcoming film called “Wizard of Lies” will shine a light on the story, starring [...]
Fintech Lookahead 2016: The disruptors you should be looking out for November 19, 2015 What can we expect to see from the fintech industry over the coming year? And what kinds of companies are leading the charge? In its 2015 Global Banking Annual Review, McKinsey said that “banks are under attack from new technology companies and others seeking to poach their customers. To date, banks’ losses to attackers have [...]
The Brits are back in town: Domestic buyers dominate London’s prime property market November 19, 2015 British buyers are returning in droves to the London property market and now account for well over two thirds of purchases in the capital’s prime post codes, new research revealed today. The proportion of sales to domestic buyers has jumped to 79 per cent in the third quarter from 75 per cent a year ago, leaving overseas [...]