The ideas emerging from Lib Dem conference dissolve under scrutiny September 24, 2012 SOMETIMES, it’s hard not to feel rather sorry for the Liberal Democrats. After the public relations disaster of Nick Clegg’s toe-curling apology on tuition fees last week, the party faithful have gathered in Brighton only to be battered by violent storms. The Lib Dem leadership was hoping to pilot a course to sunnier political climes [...]
Firms more cautious on profits July 8, 2012 THE NUMBER of profit warnings issued by UK businesses fell 18 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, according to figures out yesterday from Ernst and Young – but only because firms are more cautious in their initial predictions, not because profits are improving. Sixty warnings were issued in the quarter, down from 73 [...]
Firms call for state aid to cut infrastructure risks May 27, 2012 VITAL infrastructure projects could be given the lift they need to get off the ground if the government uses small, targeted amounts of cash to reduce risks at the star of a project, according to a report out today from the Confederation of British Industry. The business group believes private investors such as pension funds [...]
Floating wind power project seeks EU funds June 17, 2012 INVESTORS in the world’s first floating wind turbine are seeking European Union funding to build five more off the coast of Portugal following the success of initial testing of the device. The wind power generator, which cost €20m (£16.2m), floats over deep ocean waters, unlike previous offshore wind farms built in shallow waters and attached [...]
Leisure industry bosses urge plans to cut tax and lift jobs June 12, 2012 BUSINESS in Sport & Leisure, whose 70 members span the gaming to tourism industries, has urged the government to help unlock 440,000 potential jobs in the sector by cutting VAT and introducing initiatives to kick-start growth. In a report published yesterday outlining the impact of leisure on the economy, BISL revealed that the industry provides [...]
Home shortage drives prices up, says Nationwide May 31, 2012 House prices are stuck at a high level despite a lack of demand because of a low rate of building, Nationwide said yesterday, arguing that allowing more construction will reduce the pressure of housing costs on households. The building society’s data showed prices rose 0.3 per cent in May, but dropped 0.7 per cent on [...]
The Olympics has made East London a hub for investors July 29, 2012 I AM lucky enough to have spent the last decade immersed in the east of London. Home of the 2012 Olympics, this is the area I believe will be the next addition to London’s core market, bringing huge opportunities for investors. Will London succeed where (some) others have failed, by delivering an Olympic Games where [...]
Businesses call for spaceport May 17, 2012 INVESTING in a spaceport should form a key part of the UK’s infrastructure strategy, a leading business group said today, as it would help Britain take the lead in a major emerging industry. “A spaceport would be a key piece of infrastructure for the sector operating as a hub for space tourism, research and development,” [...]
It is time for some genuine radicalism from George Osborne July 25, 2012 IT was typically cunning of Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, to call for a grand coalition on the economy yesterday. Cunning – but utterly wrong. George Osborne has failed lamentably – but that doesn’t mean Ed Balls is right, or that we need to ditch political debate in return for a disastrous neo-Keynesian consensus. The [...]
US growth helps Wolseley to counter weak sales in Europe May 29, 2012 WOLSELEY, the world’s biggest building supplies company, posted a rise in third quarter profits yesterday, but weaker-than-expected third-quarter sales in Europe sent shares down two per cent. The owner of the Plumb Centre and Ferguson chains in Britain and the United States said trading profits rose 10.3 per cent to £139m for the three months [...]