David Cameron’s first PMQs in full Tory goverment: The bunfight returns June 3, 2015 The economy took centre stage during David Cameron's first Prime Minister's questions in this parliament – but if the electorate was looking for any particular commitments to anything, they would have been left frustrated. Several new MPs were welcomed to the weekly bun-fight but the rhetoric on both sides was all business as usual. [...]
How to make George Osborne happy: The IMF thinks the UK could live with higher debt “forever” June 3, 2015 Could this be the economic argument George Osborne has been waiting for? Our obsession with clearing the UK's debt could be more trouble than it's worth, according to a new paper published by the IMF. Although high levels of debt are generally viewed as problematic, advanced economies such as the UK's could “simply live [...]
David Cameron U-turns from his opposition to pay rises for MPs as salaries set to hit £74,000 June 2, 2015 Members of Parliament are set to see their annual salaries rise by 10.3 per cent, to £74,000 in September, according to a new report from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). Despite previously saying that the above-inflation pay rises were “simply unacceptable,” Prime Minister David Cameron has now said he will not stop them. IPSA, an [...]
Bargains galore: Ukip’s summer sale is now on June 2, 2015 Roll up, roll up, it's the Ukip summer sale, and there are just a handful of bargains left for the discerning kipper… Nigel Farage may have got the backing of some big-name donors in the run up to the General Election, but that isn't stopping the purple party looking to make a bit of [...]
New Look sales, profits rise despite “competitive” market June 2, 2015 New Look's new parents will be pleased with the fast fashion's latest set of results, showing the turnaround under Anders Kristiansen continuing to stabilise a previously struggling business. The figures Revenues were up 3.4 per cent to £1.4bn for the year to March 28, as like-for-likes climbed four per cent and UK like-for-likes rose 5.1 [...]
Lloyds share sale sparks Treasury rift as George Osborne ignores warning on value for money June 1, 2015 The Treasury is in disagreement with its own advisers over the sale of shares in Lloyds Bank, as George Osborne seeks to fulfil his General Election pledge to sell a large chunk directly to retail investors. The sale could prove popular, but would also mean selling the shares at a discount – reducing the profit [...]
Leaders in late night Greek debt talks fail to break deal deadlock June 1, 2015 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other high-ranking officials met in Berlin late last night to discuss the prospect of a deal for Greece. The country faces a slew of hefty payments in the coming weeks and a real prospect of defaulting on its debt if it is unable to secure a reforms-for-cash deal with creditors [...]
European Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker says Brexit “not desired” by British June 1, 2015 Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, has claimed that Britain will not vote to leave the EU. Juncker said that was confident that a Brexit would not occur, stating that David Cameron's motives in holding a referendum were to make Britain's membership permanent. Speaking to the German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, he said: Brexit is not [...]
Fancy a buffet with Warren Buffett? World’s most expensive power lunch with the Oracle of Omaha goes under the hammer (again) June 1, 2015 There are some things you can't put a price on, but having lunch with the Oracle of Omaha is not one of them. The annual action to have lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffett is underway and already bids have risen above $1,000,500. There are three days and several hours left to get [...]
Mike Ashley adds MegaValue.com high street store to Sports Direct business June 1, 2015 Mike Ashley rarely sits still. With his ownership of the beleaguered Newcastle United dominating the headlines, the Sports Direct owner has quietly added a new high street business to his interests. Read more: Rangers and Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has too much power, says IoD The subtly-titled MegaValue.com is a new discount store that recently appeared [...]