UK house prices hit record highs and are now 11.4 per cent above the pre-crisis peak September 16, 2014 The average house in the UK cost £284,000 in July – an increase of 11.7 per cent over last year. This takes the index score (February 2002 = 100) to 206 – a new record and 11.4 per cent above the January 2008 pre-crisis peak. The latest statistics from the ONS have shown that house [...]
Scots MPs say independent Scotland can’t use pound July 21, 2014 An independent Scotland cannot continue to use the pound without terrible consequences for it and for the rest of the UK, the Scottish affairs committee of MPs claimed today. In a strongly-worded report, the group of backbenchers argues such a set up would mean the new Scottish government immediately handing control of interest rates and [...]
Scottish independence could have “material adverse effect” on RBS, says bank August 1, 2014 RBS has reiterated that a vote for Scottish independence would negatively impact its business. Although the initial comments were in a statement in April, the bank today said in its half-yearly report that a yes vote could change the "fiscal, monetary, legal and regulatory landscape to which the group is subject". It also mentioned the prospect [...]
City names join forces for new comms agency December 1, 2013 THE FORMER PR chief of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the ex-communications director of Heathrow Airport are teaming up to launch a new communications business, it was announced yesterday. Andrew Wilson, who was head of group communications at Royal Bank of Scotland and currently at WPP, will join forces with former BAA-man Malcolm Robertson [...]
Investors flee Scotland ahead of independence referendum July 9, 2014 Businesses are diverting investment away from Scotland and into other areas like the north of England because of the uncertainty around September’s independence referendum, PwC bosses said yesterday. And the business services group’s chairman Ian Powell added that being part of a larger trading bloc will be beneficial for the UK and Scotland, particularly in [...]
IPO plans on ice amid Scottish independence Yes vote fears September 14, 2014 A number of firms are putting stock market flotation plans on hold ahead of the Scottish referendum, fearing market turmoil could throw the initial public offerings (IPOs) off track. Reports of deals being delayed comes as a group of polls showed the No campaign edging ahead and Prime Minister David Cameron headed to Aberdeen today [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 17 March 2014 March 17, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Big banks put forex bonuses on hold Barclays, Citigroup and Royal Bank of Scotland have frozen bonuses across swaths of their foreign exchange trading teams pending internal investigations into possible manipulation of key currency benchmarks. The cash and share bonus suspensions are targeted on the wider team rather than just the traders under [...]
UBS: A No vote on Scottish independence will still shake financial markets July 9, 2014 International investors aren't taking the Scottish referendum seriously enough. That's the verdict from Swiss bank UBS. In all their discussions with investors, "the topic of Scotland's independence referendum (if it is mentioned at all) is generally not treated seriously". Globally, the media has treated the referendum as a light entertainment story, and Google data suggests [...]
NHS could save £1bn each year by treating patients at pharmacies instead of hospitals or GP clinics, says professional body October 19, 2014 The NHS could save over £1bn each year if common colds and other everyday illnesses were treated at pharmacies. According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), “minor ailment centres” would take pressure off the NHS by reducing GP consultations by 18m and A&E visits by 650,000 annually. The centres already operate nationally in [...]
London Report: RBS weighs on FTSE but Yellen drives stocks up February 27, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index edged up yesterday, lifted by positive US data and assurances from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen, despite a sharp sell-off in Royal Bank of Scotland and increasing tension over Ukraine. RBS skidded 7.7 per cent as its new chief exec outlined plans for a large-scale overhaul after the mostly state-owned lender [...]