Stress Awareness Day 2014: How to cope with workplace pressure November 4, 2014 On Stress Awareness Day, Brian Claridge looks at how high-powered businesspeople manage the strain. It’s often painted as a purely personal issue, but research released today by Friends Life finds that stress could be costing UK companies £690m a day. The report, coinciding with National Stress Awareness Day, found that 23 per cent of [...]
World War Two technologies: From Alan Turing’s code-breaking Enigma machine to Robert Oppenheimer’s Manhattan Project November 10, 2014 Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention, and it’s hard to think of a time when a society is under more pressure than during a war. It should come as no surprise, then, that many of the every-day technologies we take for granted were developed during periods of global conflict. From the radar [...]
How the chancellor could unleash the potential of manufacturing exporters February 18, 2014 WITH A general election approaching, I am not expecting the chancellor’s Budget on 19 March to raise many eyebrows. All political parties are likely to keep the potential vote winners in reserve for their manifestos and the campaign itself. There may be moves to address the cost of living pressures many UK voters still face [...]
Five simple tips on how to build a resilient career October 20, 2014 Being the “yes” person and trying to go it alone will get you nowhere. The City is renowned for its tough working environment. So having resilience is vital to avoid burnout and to help you deal with setbacks or rejection. Building layers of defence will help you anticipate future difficulties, and ensure that self-doubt [...]
MPs to grill Bank’s Mark Carney on Osborne interest rate pact claim August 18, 2014 Bank of England governor Mark Carney will be quizzed by MPs next month over whether he has faced any political pressure to keep interest rates at their historic low. Carney and chancellor George Osborne have been hit by suggestions this week that they struck a deal to keep rates low until after the election. Mark [...]
Why significantly extending the Living Wage is not the best way to help the poorest June 24, 2014 JOHN Sentamu, the charismatic archbishop of York, has again thrown his weight behind the recommendations of the Living Wage Commission he chairs. Not to be confused with the government’s Low Pay Commission, which recommends the statutory minimum wage, the Living Wage Commission is a private pressure group funded by trade unions and faith organisations. Its [...]
The cost of popularity: How a fear of looking stingy makes us overspend June 25, 2014 Over half of adults in the UK apparently spend more than they can afford on their social lives, but what's driving this habit? It is not a genuine desire to spend, but rather an eagerness to be regarded as generous in the eyes of others, according to a survey by the Money Advice Service. Appearing [...]
UK unemployment at lowest rate since December 2008 July 16, 2014 The unemployment rate has continued to fall, dropping from 6.6 per cent to 6.5 per cent during the three months to May in line with analysts' predictions – the lowest it has been since October to December 2008. The data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that unemployment has been dropping for a [...]
Severn Trent’s half-year profits fall November 26, 2013 SEVERN TRENT yesterday blamed rising costs for a 5.8 per cent fall in half-year profits, but raised its dividend and reiterated its promise to keep household bill rises below inflation. Pre-tax profits at the FTSE 100-listed water company fell to £141.4m from £150m the previous year, but the firm said that results were in line with [...]
Severn Trent sees profits slide but keeps bill increases down November 26, 2013 Water company Severn Trent has reported a 5.8 per cent fall in underlying group profit before tax to £141.3m, but says it's on target to deliver its full year expectations. In the six months ended 30 September, reported group profit suffered a 4.2 per cent loss to £255.7m. When it came to the rise in [...]