CBI urges Osborne to focus on growth October 26, 2010 BUSINESS lobby group the CBI has written to chancellor George Osborne and business secretary Vince Cable to call for further action to stimulate short term economic growth, in order to offset the effects of the government’s £80bn spending cuts. CBI director-general Richard Lambert said the UK economy needs a “fundamental rebalancing” in order to achieve [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS June 20, 2011 HSBC Ian Henley has been appointed as head of corporate & structured banking in the UK commercial banking team at HSBC, which supports businesses with a turnover above £25m. He succeeds Stuart Grant, who is moving to Hong Kong to take up a new role of global head of corporate for the commercial banking division. [...]
Retail sales growth slows says CBI October 28, 2010 Retail sales growth eased in October from September’s six-year high, but stayed well above average and at its second-highest level this year, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed. The CBI’s monthly distributive trades survey’s reported sales balance dipped to +36 in October from +49 in September, broadly in line with economists’ forecasts [...]
Orders from UK factories bounce back March 22, 2011 BRITAIN’S manufacturing sector received another boost yesterday, as a leading business survey revealed “above normal” orders for the first time in three years. Yet spiralling prices continue to haunt the industry, with firms expecting inflationary pressures to worsen in the coming months. Over a quarter – 26 per cent – of respondents said that orders [...]
Hargreaves report rejects fair use May 18, 2011 A REVIEW of UK copyright laws has recommended reform but fallen short of the “fair use” proposal backed by Google. Reforms suggested in the Hargreaves Review focus largely on the film and music industries. One major recommendation is legalising the copying of music and films between formats for personal use. Another is a loosening of [...]
Red-tape war on work rules May 11, 2011 IN A bid to counter accusations that it is not doing enough to reduce red tape, the government yesterday revealed plans to review three key areas of employment law. The government is considering reducing the 90-day required consultation period over collective redundancies, as well as capping compensation in discrimination awards at employment tribunals. Businesses have [...]
RUDD’S 50TH BRINGS BIG BUSINESS TO SOMERSET June 19, 2011 THE SOMERSET economy received a much-needed boost over the weekend, when local taxis, security firms and caterers were booked out solidly for the 50th birthday celebrations of Finsbury boss Roland Rudd at his Grade 1-listed country pile. Around 400 City leaders and friends prioritised the PR-chief’s party over George Osborne’s 40th at the chancellor’s grace-and-favour [...]
Firms demand more reforms for tribunals April 19, 2011 PROPOSED reforms to employment tribunals are flawed and will not help businesses, the Institute of Directors (IoD) said today. The IoD is calling on the coalition government to bolster its plans in order to protect companies from costly, spurious claims. “Being timid will get us nowhere,” said IoD director-general Miles Templeman. “Employment tribunals need radical [...]
Royal Wedding and sunny weather boost retail sales May 19, 2011 Retail sales climbed more than expected in April, boosted by the extra holiday for the Royal Wedding and record temperatures, official data showed. The Office for National Statistics said sales volumes including automotive fuel rose 1.1 percent last month, well above analysts forecasts for an increase of 0.8 per cent, and the biggest rise for [...]
NO LUNCH FOR BLAIRS AT BANKING AIDE’S BASH July 4, 2011 SO MANY social engagements, so little time for Tony and Cherie Blair, who only had time for a quick drink at the fiftieth birthday for Russell Chambers – the man dubbed “Blair’s favourite banker” – before rushing off without sitting down to eat. Chambers, the Credit Suisse senior adviser who famously lent Blair a pair [...]