The new centre ground: The full text of Theresa May’s Conservative Party conference speech October 5, 2016 In the speech which closed the Conservative Party conference, Theresa May spoke of a country in transition, and new opportunities. The full 7,600 words is below – although if you'd rather a cut-down version, her best quotes are here – or you can read how businesses reacted. The new centre ground: May's speech in full When [...]
Meet the man behind the Uber of the exchange world June 13, 2016 In less than eight years, Bats Europe has gone from being a one-man operation in a City of London coffee shop to the largest stock exchange on the continent by market share and value traded. But despite its growth, the company’s chief executive – and first employee – Mark Hemsley still likes to emphasise its small business charm. “We’re not [...]
UK care homes at risk of financial ruin as Living Wage costs bite November 30, 2015 Hundreds of British care homes are facing financial ruin as a result of the Living Wage, with the sector expected to come up against a £500m funding gap next year. According to data from corporate health specialists Company Watch, costs across the sector could rise by as much as £900m with the introduction of the [...]
First-time buyers who purchase a house this year will have already spent £52,900 on rent – or the deposit on a £1m house February 12, 2016 Those who are about to step on to the property ladder this year will have already cashed out £52,900 on rent, according to new research – more than you would spend on a five per cent deposit on a £1m house. And the figures published by the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (Arla) show that [...]
Kojawan restaurant at the Hilton Metropole is like a retro-futuristic art gallery in the sky April 26, 2016 Andrew Baggs overcomes a fear of high restaurants to thoroughly enjoy this Asian fusion izakaya Food | ★★★★☆ | Value ★★★★☆ | Vibe ★★★★☆ | Hilton Metropole, 225 Edgware Rd, W2 1JU Tel: 020 8088 0111 | Cost for two with wine: £140 I have, over the years, learnt to read the restaurant warning signs. There is an inverse relationship between [...]
Turning FA Cup into a midweek competition is an experiment worth trying for sake of the England team – and it might help out clubs in Europe too February 16, 2016 There is no doubt in my mind that the FA Cup would suffer if mooted plans to move all ties to midweek and scrap replays in order to make room for a winter break do come to be implemented. Saturday afternoon FA Cup matches are still something special and doing away with them would risk [...]
Low inflations means UK workers are set to see real wages increase 2.3 per cent in 2016 December 9, 2015 UK workers will have something to celebrate this Christmas: real wages are set to increase by 2.3 per cent next year, the biggest rise since 2008. While salary growth forecasts for 2016 remain the same as this year, at 2.5 per cent, lower inflation levels, predicted to be 0.2 per cent will boost the spending [...]
Budget 2016: Here are the reactions to Osborne’s announcements on sugar tax, corporation tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Isas, education and growth prospects March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just announced some Budget surprises – a sugar tax, longer school days – as well as an increase in sin taxes on tobacco, alterations to ISAs and savings, and corporation taxes. Here's what analysts are already saying about the chancellor's latest agenda on… Personal allowance David Kilshaw, private clients services partner, EY [...]
With consumer price index inflation inching up to 0.1 per cent, could the period of persistently low inflation be about to end? December 15, 2015 Kallum Pickering, senior UK economist at Berenberg, says Yes Falling oil prices and sterling appreciation have exerted strong but temporary effects on headline inflation, bringing it to zero for most of 2015. But even if there is more disinflationary pressure to come from oil in the near term, prices cannot fall forever. Eventually, the oil [...]
Wetherspoon’s share price tumbles as boss Tim Martin warns Living Wage costs could lower pub chain profits November 4, 2015 Wetherspoon's share price tumbled this morning after boss Tim Martin warned that rising labour costs could result in lower annual profits, with margins falling in its first quarter. The figures The pub chain grew like-for-like sales 2.4 per cent in the 13 weeks to 25 October, while total sales rose by 6.1 per cent, buoyed by the Rugby [...]