Tech startups have transformed the UK: Backing Britain’s scale-ups is the next challenge February 3, 2016 The growth of the UK’s digital industries has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it has had a profound effect on the wider economy. Statistics from last year’s Tech Nation report show that more than 1.46m people are currently employed within the sector. The UK is increasingly underlining its digital credentials on the global stage. [...]
Ofcom warns BT that internet status quo is likely to change as Vodafone, TalkTalk and Sky pile on the pressure December 1, 2015 OFCOM yesterday said Britain is doing well in rolling out superfast broadband compared with other major European economies, yet it added that the status quo in the industry is likely to be altered. Service providers, such as TalkTalk and Sky, have demanded that Openreach, which provides the infrastructure connecting people to the internet, be spun [...]
The Help to Buy Isa for first-time buyers launches today: Here’s everything you need to know, including which banks and building societies will provide it and how much you can borrow December 1, 2015 It was now many moons ago that George Osborne introduced the Help to Buy Isa (Help to Buy-sa to its friends), which will give savers £50 for every £200 they save, up to £12,000. Nine months after it was first announced, the scheme is finally ready to be unveiled, with the launch slated for today. In other words: first-time [...]
UPDATE: Quindell share price recovers after it sells stake in Nationwide Accident Repair Services and announces share issue March 5, 2015 Shares in insurance outsourcing firm Quindell started the day six per cent lower at 88p, but then bounced back to 91p by mid afternoon after it said it had sold its minority stake in Nationwide Accident Repair Services. It said it sold its stake in the British building society’s vehicle repair service on 4 March for 65 pence [...]
City Moves for 6 January 2016 | Who’s switching jobs January 6, 2016 Victoria Michael Scott been appointed group finance director of Aim 50-listed floorcovering designers and manufacturers Victoria. Michael joins after eight years at Rothschild, where, as part of its global financial advisory business, he worked across a wide range of public and private company transactions, mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity-related fundraisings. He qualified as [...]
Sainsbury’s bid for Argos might solve some of Mike Coupe’s problems – but the deal poses significant challenges for landlords January 14, 2016 In a presentation to investors this week, Sainsbury’s outlined its strategy behind acquiring Home Retail Group. Sainsbury’s did caution that the deal would be a “strategically compelling opportunity, and if done at the right price financially compelling”. The 22-page presentation was used to set out the case and try and ease investors concerns. Home Retail Group reported that [...]
Business and the unions: We both back a third Heathrow runway – now get on with it March 10, 2016 We often read in the press about the latest bust-up between the unions and the business community. Yet there are any number of policies we agree on, especially those that help to deliver high-skilled quality employment and sustainable growth. Equally, we both get disappointed when the government falls short of the mark, particularly when the [...]
Chelsea fans arrested for racist chanting more than any other club – but stats show problem is nationwide February 19, 2015 Racism in football has been thrust under the public glare after a group of Chelsea fans were filmed singing racist chants after refusing to let a black man board the Paris Metro. Chelsea have swiftly and strongly condemned the behaviour of the group and said they would look to take “the strongest possible [...]
Campaign group secures a third of funding for nationwide “I Am An Immigrant” campaign ahead of General Election February 10, 2015 In the run up to the General Election there will be plenty of mudslinging and it's quite likely some of it will be directed towards the main parties' policies on immigration. It's for that reason, among others, that a campaign group is planning a nationwide poster campaign to celebrate the contribution immigrants make to [...]
Friends, Dirty Dancing, a hatchback and £4,300 in savings: How do you compare to the average 30-year-old? November 30, 2015 The average 30-something has £4,300 saved in the bank, drives a hatchback, and will spend more than three years saving for a deposit. Sound familiar? A survey by Nationwide reveals 30- to 35-year-olds on average have around £343 a month in disposable income, which they splash on two meals out, two nights out, and one trip to the cinema [...]