From Threadneedle Street to the corridors of power September 28, 2014 Business minister Matthew Hancock tells Kate McCann he’s on the side of new challenger firms IF CONSERVATIVE MPs spent the weekend nursing a Ukip-induced headache ahead of their party conference, business minister Matthew Hancock showed no evidence of it yesterday. “It’s relatively cheerful here, in the circumstances,” the former Osborne advisor says with a wry [...]
Supergroup shares surge after cold winter snap boosts demand January 14, 2015 SUPERGROUP’S shares surged yesterday as the owner of the Superdry fashion label said sales had rebounded over Christmas, helped by the onset of the cold winter weather. In a trading statement released ahead of plan, the retailer said like-for-like sales jumped 12.4 per cent in the 11 weeks to 10 January as customers snapped up [...]
Federal Reserve policy statement: Rate rise could come as soon as June as FOMC drops “patient” March 18, 2015 The Federal Reserve could raise historically low interest rates as soon as June after the central bank revealed it was moving away from a pledge to be “patient”. “An increase in the target range for the federal funds rate remains unlikely at the April,” said the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting statement, but leaving the [...]
“We’re not happy with being second. That’s not being arrogant, just the belief we have” April 16, 2015 Mike Brown explains to Ross McLean why England believe they can win World Cup ENGLAND full-back Mike Brown is not prepared to sidestep the question of what constitutes the minimum requirement for his side at this autumn’s World Cup on home soil: “Winning it. Winning it or else none of us will be happy.” His [...]
Tax crackdown boosts revenue to record level May 27, 2014 HER MAJESTY’S Revenue and Customs (HMRC) netted £23.9bn in additional revenues last year, with the tax authorities saying that the boost to their coffers comes from more stringent investigations. Revenue from this source is now at its highest level on record. The department says its income from investigations has risen by £3.2bn from the previous [...]
BBC stamps out £100m bid from Avalon and Hat Trick to save BBC Three January 20, 2015 Public service broadcaster the BBC yesterday quashed a £100m rescue bid from two independent TV production groups to take over BBC Three, which is set to become an online-only channel due to funding cuts. Avalon, the maker of Harry Hill’s TV Burp, and Hat Trick, producer of the BBC satirical show Have I Got News [...]
Countdown 232 days to go: Injury blows not a concern for Corbisiero January 27, 2015 England prop glad to be over own setback and sure of squad depth. INJURIES may be a consistent theme threatening to derail England’s World Cup bid but prop Alex Corbisiero insists the selection conundrum facing head coach Stuart Lancaster is made more fathomable by the squad’s residual strength. Corbisiero’s latest war wound forced him onto [...]
Vunipola: I was borderline arrogant February 5, 2015 As he prepares to battle his cousin tonight in the Six Nations, England’s wrecking ball tells Ross McLean about his fall from grace ENGLAND will bid to exorcise the ghost of a harrowing and Grand Slam-ending defeat to Wales at the Millennium Stadium tonight, but the clash also presents a chance for powerhouse Billy Vunipola [...]
Jaeger latest upmarket retailer to stride ahead of high street January 9, 2015 Fashion retailer Jaeger strode ahead of its high street competitors, reporting stellar sales during the Christmas period. The upmarket brand said like-for-like sales jumped eight per cent in the 13 weeks to January. They were lifted by US-style discount days Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Total sales grew 8.3 per cent, with menswear posting impressive [...]
Best of fashion week: Highlights from the 2015 London Collections: Men January 14, 2015 City A.M. Bespoke fashion director Ozzy Shah gives his take on this year’s London Collections: Men. Burberry BURBERRY This was one of my favourite shows of the season. They called it “classically bohemian” but to me it was more of an Indian winter vibe, with lots of fringing and ponchos. They had mirrors on [...]