Scottish independence: Boost for No as Alex Salmond’s economic plan torn apart September 11, 2014 An influential thinktank yesterday tore apart Alex Salmond’s economic plan for an independent Scotland, warning that a Yes vote will make it harder to protect public spending from cuts. The blow to Salmond’s case for independence came as a number of high-profile UK retailers and banks added their names to a growing list citing concerns [...]
Barclays still most complained about bank, yet gripes decrease April 9, 2014 BARCLAYS Bank saw the highest number of complaints to the Financial Conduct Authority between July and December 2013, figures showed yesterday. Overall, the bank notched up 309,494 complaints – which was down 17 per cent compared to last year, followed by Lloyds Bank with 256,656, which was a decline of one per cent. The FCA [...]
Could the clear vote against independence in Scotland help deliver a UK growth dividend? September 21, 2014 Bill O’Neill is head of the UK investment office at UBS Wealth Management, says Yes. Although we have a clear result in Scotland, market uncertainty has not been eliminated. As Scotland embarks on its devo-max journey, one risk has been removed, but we are still in a nebulous situation. Nevertheless, returning to business as usual [...]
Virgin Money re-launches IPO, Virgin America expects to raise $36m from its own offering November 3, 2014 Virgin Money’s stock market flotation is back on the table, as the UK challenger bank is understood to be re-launching its plans imminently. Meanwhile – across the Atlantic – low cost airline Virgin America could be valued at $1bn (£625m) if its initial public offering (IPO) goes to plan. Rocky market conditions last [...]
London Report: British economy in fifth straight growth quarter April 27, 2014 BRITAIN’S economy is expected to show its continued return to form this week, with official data likely to show a fifth consecutive quarter of expansion. Figures due from the Office for National Statistics tomorrow are expected to reveal the economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the first quarter, despite worries that February flooding would [...]
Cheaper houses, more expensive holidays: Five of the most important changes to the UK if Scotland votes for independence September 16, 2014 With the Scottish independence referendum just two days away, a question on many people's minds is what will happen to their finances if Scotland does decide to leave. Here are some of the ways in which those left in Britain will feel the effects. House price fall Online estate agency Emoov has [...]
LA Fitness to sell 33 gym chains after landlords back rescue deal March 25, 2014 LANDLORDS to gym chain LA Fitness have backed a controversial deal allowing the loss-making group to offload nearly half of its clubs and slash its rental bill. LA said yesterday that 33 of its 80 clubs will be put up for sale over the next six months after a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was supported [...]
Q & A December 15, 2014 Lorna Menzies PPL’s Deputy Managing Director When was People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL) founded and how has it grown from its original concept? In 1989 Novamedia launched the Dutch Postcode Lottery using the concept of playing with your postcode, and helping good causes at the same time. This was followed by two further lotteries in the [...]
Scottish independence referendum: IMF warns Yes vote could hit financial markets September 12, 2014 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has weighed into the debate on Scottish independence warning there could be significant market uncertainty if Scots vote to leave the union. IMF spokesman William Murray said: The main immediate effect is likely to be uncertainty over the transition to potentially new and different monetary, financial and fiscal frameworks in [...]
Reach for the Isle of Skye for a bracing winter weekend away December 21, 2014 The island off the west coast of Scotland has a rugged charm during the colder months – and the food is first class. My heart is yearning to thee, O Skye! Dearest of Islands! There first the sunshine gladdened my eye, On the sea sparkling”. So wrote Scottish poet Alexander Nicolson about the largest [...]