Water firms look to increase bills amid fears of £400m National Insurance hit December 8, 2024 Water companies are hoping billpayers will carry the cost of a £400m hit from rising national insurance contributions over the next five years, previously announced in the Autumn Budget. The accumulated cost to all water firms’ in England and Wales comes to £80m per year, water industry sources told the Sunday Times. Firms have now [...]
Titanic shipyard Harland & Wolff closes in on rescue deal with Navantia December 8, 2024 Navantia has won approval from the Cabinet Office to take control of the Harland & Wolff's four UK shipyards, Sky News reported.
Pubs boss: ‘We cannot allow the government to destroy family companies’ December 8, 2024 The boss of a seventh-generation pub and brewing giant has argued that “we cannot allow the government to destroy family companies” as they are the “bedrock of the UK economy”. In a post on LinkedIn William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, reiterated his opposition to the changes [...]
Mike Ashley pledges ‘fresh ideas’ in bid for Boohoo board seat December 8, 2024 Frasers Group chief Mike Ashley has renewed his criticism of Boohoo’s management as he continues his bid for a seat on the struggling fashion retailer’s board. In an open letter, Ashley vowed to turn around the London-listed company, arguing that it was underperforming with “no clear strategy to halt the decline”. “As a board member, [...]
The £277bn golden ticket: Why private equity is so interested in professional services December 8, 2024 Private equity interest in the professional services has skyrocketed especially for those with accountancy arms, with major deals being announced nearly every week
Starmer to visit Gulf states as he strives to deepen trade ties December 7, 2024 Keir Starmer will strive to strengthen trade ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in his first trip to the Persian Gulf as prime minister. The PM will meet UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, after flying to the Gulf on Sunday [...]
Currys could reveal Black Friday boost or Budget hit in interim results December 7, 2024 Electronics retailer Currys will reveal how much impact the recent Budget is likely to have on its sales next week. Investors will hope the chain has carried on a recent financial recovery into the autumn when it announces its interim results on 12 December. The company is expected to post a profit of £137m for [...]
Shoppers urged to support small businesses as confidence wobbles December 7, 2024 The public is being urged to show support for small businesses as part of an annual event on Saturday, following signs that tax hikes have dented confidence across the sector. Organisers say Small Business Saturday could provide a “lifeline” for smaller companies in the important run-up to Christmas The campaign group said the public is [...]
Keir Starmer: £500m Hitachi deal will relieve anxiety of rail workers December 7, 2024 Keir Starmer has said a deal struck by Hitachi which has given a lifeline to hundreds of jobs at a Co Durham train factory will relieve the anxiety of workers.
Small Business Saturday hopes to bring back confidence ahead of new year December 6, 2024 Small Business Saturday could boost business confidence this year if Brits once again flock to the streets and show their support, a leading campaign group has said. The hope comes ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday UK on 7 December, an annual campaign created to encourage consumer engagement with the local high street ahead [...]