Where’s the Christmas spirit? Gin and beer demand slumps this year December 16, 2024 Demand for spirits and beer has sagged this year as Brits opted for healthier and cheaper alternatives to their traditional tipple, according to new data. A combination of the cost-of-living crisis and government hikes on alcohol duty have pushed some bottles out of reach, with 10 per cent tax hikes pushing up the price of [...]
Reeves’ pension review pause could be ‘hugely detrimental’ December 16, 2024 Experts have slammed the chancellor’s decision to pause a review into pensions, saying failure to act could “leave millions of people at greater risk of an income shortfall”. Rachel Reeves has reportedly shelved plans to reform pension adequacy in a bid to avoid piling more pressure on business. The Financial Times first reported that it [...]
Ministers warned not to cave to ‘short-sighted’ carmakers on EV targets December 16, 2024 The government is currently considering relaxing new rules enforcing certain electric vehicle sales targets each year.
Executives of ‘ponzi scheme’ London Capital & Finance liable for damages December 16, 2024 Former executives of LCF are liable in the sum of £180m in damages to investors following a court ruling last month that called it a 'ponzi scheme'
Revolut investors cash in with $1bn share sale December 16, 2024 Backers of Revolut have offloaded just shy of $1bn worth of stock in the neobank in just four months, after it extended its secondary share sale for the second time earlier this month. The investors, which largely comprise staff, venture capital backers and crowdfunding round participants, have looked to cash in on parts of their [...]
Grant Thornton UK partners green light private equity deal with Cinven December 16, 2024 Accountancy giant Grant Thornton UK partners have "unanimously voted in favour" of investment from private equity firm Cinven
Canal+ float fails to make a splash as shares fall more than 23 per cent December 16, 2024 The float of Canal+ on the London Stock Exchange got off to a shaky start with its share price dropping more than 23 per cent, valuing the company at around £2.4bn. The only £1bn-plus IPO of the year is the product of a long-awaited breakup of Paris-based Vivendi, which acquired Canal+ in 2000. Shares of the Paddington [...]
UK companies cut jobs at fastest rate in nearly 4 years December 16, 2024 The private sector cut jobs at the fastest rate for nearly 4 years in December as firms respond to new tax rules announced in the Budget. The latest S&P Global Flash UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) found that while the headline figure for business confidence was unchanged from November, thanks to a marginal increase in [...]
Shares in Ladbrokes owner Entain slump on money laundering investigation December 16, 2024 Entain shares fell nearly seven per cent this morning after the gambling giant was sued by Australian authorities over a failure to comply with anti-money laundering rules. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac) said on Monday that Entain’s Australian subsidiary failed to properly identify anti-money laundering risks in its first proceedings against an [...]
Stormzy ‘hooked’ on padel and opening new club at O2 December 16, 2024 Stormzy has become the latest celebrity to back the world’s fastest growing sport after agreeing a deal to be an ambassador for and investor in Padel Social Club. The award-winning music artist’s involvement comes as the London-based chain opens a third site, at the O2 in Greenwich, with a fourth club in the pipeline. Stormzy’s [...]