UK benefit claims surge to 1.4m as coronavirus economic crisis bites April 14, 2020 The UK has received about 1.4m new benefit claims for welfare payments as the coronavirus lockdown freezes large sections of the economy. “It’s now up to about 1.4m,” Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told the BBC, adding that the figure included Universal Credit and job seekers’ allowance or employment support allowance. “We are capable [...]
P&O lays off 800 people following £100m loss March 17, 2022 Ferry operator P&O Ferries confirmed today it is laying off 800 members of staff after the pandemic caused the company to post a £100m loss year-on-year. “Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now,” said a company spokesperson. “Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries. Staff will receive compensation [...]
Carillion: Five years on, MPs and industry leaders demand audit reform to ensure scandal is not repeated January 18, 2023 On the fifth anniversary of the collapse of outsourcer Carillion, MPs and audit sector leaders have united in calling on the UK government to push forwards with plans to overhaul the country’s audit sector. MPs said a shake-up of the country’s accounting industry is needed imminently to ensure that audit failures, such as the one [...]
Rail strikes: Brits face worst disruption to rail network in decades October 1, 2022 The biggest rail strike in decades threatens to grind the the network to a halt today, forcing Brits to make new travel plans.
Mr Kwarteng goes to Washington: Business Secretary heads Stateside to lure nuclear investors May 15, 2022 The Business Secretary will seek to lure US investment in new nuclear plants, as the UK aims to reduce its reliance on Chinese investment.
Not funding Sizewell C risks UK’s green ambitions, nuclear industry warns April 24, 2023 The nuclear industry has pushed the environmental benefits of Sizewell C amid reports the project is struggling to lure UK investors.
Letters: No sympathy for Boris or business October 11, 2021 [Re: Business leaders bash Boris, 7th October] I write further to your newspaper’s article regarding the criticism of the Prime Minister’s alleged “economic illiteracy” by various business people, including the Federation of Small Businesses. I suspect that Boris Johnson’s critics will attract little sympathy from the general public This is especially true given that [...]
Reshuffle day two: Jesse Norman sacked as Treasury minister September 16, 2021 Boris Johnson continues his reshuffle today, after a major shakeup to his top team yesterday afternoon. Johnson will fill dozens of ministerial roles that sit under the secretary of state in each department. 17.56 International trade minister sacked Trade minister Graham Stuart has been sacked, along with two others in the latest announcement. Stuart had [...]
Train strikes: Disruption set to cost hospitality £540m and have ‘catastrophic’ impact on night economy June 20, 2022 This week’s rail and tube strikes are set to cost the hospitality sector £540m, as the nighttime economy will suffer a “catastrophic impact”. Trade union action on the transport network this week will “set back the recovery of our high streets and deter people from going out in the evening”, leading to hundreds of million [...]
Johnson’s successor has a chance to rekindle the relationship with City Hall July 12, 2022 Transport Secretary Grant Shapps – now a contender to be the next prime minister – wrote to the Mayor three weeks ago regarding the future funding of Transport for London (TfL). His letter included a call to reset strained relations between City Hall and the government. Last week’s events were probably not quite the reset [...]