Recession fears force UK businesses to park hiring plans January 10, 2023 Recession fears are forcing businesses to mothball hiring plans to keep costs at a minimum, a new survey out today reveals. KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) permanent hiring index stumbled to 44.5 in December from 46.4 in the previous month. The reading has now been below the 50 point mark that separates [...]
West End ‘extremely concerned about long-term survival’ as new guidance comes into force December 13, 2021 Central London retailers are hopeful eager Christmas shoppers will offset the absence of office workers in the capital this month while warning businesses are running out of cash. New West End Company, which represents 600 brands, restaurants and businesses in the West End, said footfall for the week of 6 December was up three per [...]
Quitting net zero tsar Skidmore is wrong on North Sea oil and gas, says Hunt January 6, 2024 The Chancellor has hit back at the former net zero tsar after he quit the Conservatives over the Government’s decision to increase domestic oil and gas drilling. Jeremy Hunt said he “profoundly” disagrees with Chris Skidmore’s reasons for resigning as an MP, with the former energy minister’s exit due to trigger another challenging by-election for [...]
De Sousa to make family proud with E Brother and Savvy Chic December 13, 2022 FORMER three-time UK Champion Jockey Silvestre de Sousa can provide some pre-Christmas cheer for his wife Vikki and children, who have come over to Hong Kong for the festive period, by riding a double at Happy Valley. It’s easy to understand why the Brazilian-born rider is one of the most sought-after pilots in the territory. [...]
Marks & Spencer profit dented as Ocado joint venture books £0.7m loss November 9, 2022 Marks & Spencer’s half-year profit slid on Wednesday after it said its joint venture with online grocer Ocado had suffered a £700,000 loss. In half-year results to 1 October, M&S said its group profit before tax was £205.5m, versus a £269.4m sum the previous year. Bosses pointed to a lack of business rates relief compared [...]
Investors take risk off approach to open busy data and rates week December 12, 2022 Investors ditched risky assets yesterday ahead of a bumper week of global economic announcements before the Christmas break, weighing on London’s FTSE 100. The capital’s premier index shed 0.41 per cent to close at 7,445.97 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, fell [...]
UK remains European fintech lead despite major investment slump July 31, 2023 Fintech investment in the UK slumped 57 per cent in the first half of the year as rising rates, high inflation and geopolitical tensions dampened investor sentiment. Total UK fintech investment dropped to $5.9bn (£4.6bn) in the first half of the year, down from $13.8bn in the same period last year, according to data from [...]
London markets dip as retailers give up this week’s gains January 13, 2022 London markets eked marginal gains yesterday despite retailers giving up some gains registered throughout the week. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.16 per cent higher at 7,563.85 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, fell 0.38 per cent to 22,958.48 points. Britain’s [...]
Sadiq Khan declares ‘major incident’ in London as Omicron cases surge December 18, 2021 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan declared a "major incident" in the capital amid deepening fears of a fourth lockdown as Omicron cases surge.
Heathrow: Half-term hell for families as British Airways cancellations hit 175 May 26, 2023 Half-term holiday plans for thousands of families have been thrown into disarray after British Airways’ flight cancellations due to an IT failure reached 175. Most of the affected flights were on short-haul routes to and from Heathrow Airport. British Airways said the “technical issue” was resolved on Thursday night, but disruption continued into Friday because [...]