UK economy records highest expansion since WW2 February 11, 2022 The UK economy has registered the highest expansion since 1946, growing 7.5 per cent in 2021 despite an Omicron-induced slump registered in December. According to ONS figures, the economy was recovering strongly following a 9.4 per cent collapse in 2020 but was hit with a 0.2 per cent bump in December. Retail and hospitality were [...]
West End landlords Shaftesbury and Capco push ahead with £3.5bn merger June 16, 2022 West End landlords Shaftesbury and Capital & Counties Properties (Capco) have agreed to push ahead with a £3.5bn merger, which will see much of London’s beloved theatre district fall under one wing. The merger, which had raised the eyebrows of one investor, will see shareholders receive 3.35 new Capco shares for each Shaftesbury share. Combining [...]
Irn-Bru maker facing ‘increased challenges’ with lorry driver shortages August 3, 2021 AG Barr has said it faces “increased challenges” with its haulage fleet while expecting to report a revenue of some £134m for the first half of the financial year. Bosses have warned August will be a pinch point for the shortage of qualified HGV drivers, which was exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic, as supermarkets [...]
Travel stocks continue ascent as London markets post mixed open February 10, 2022 Travel stocks continued their ascent today in a positive day for London markets. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.38 per cent higher at 7,672.40 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, added 0.11 per cent to finish at 22,207.75 points. Airline stocks [...]
Oil prices tumble as China lockdowns cut into demand expectations May 2, 2022 Oil prices have plummeted amid forecasts of weak economic growth in China, which has lowered demand expectations.
Antivaxxers targeting Tesco Christmas ad set to complain to advertising watchdog November 17, 2021 The antivaxxers who began the #BoycottTesco trend at the weekend have reportedly arranged a campaign to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority. Tesco became the latest subject to antivax protest after it included a double vaccinated Santa in its Christmas advert. Antivaxxers, those who have been against the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, took to Twitter to [...]
How Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group makes money and what it’s worth today March 21, 2024 City A.M. has taken a look at what Virgin Group still owns and what companies pay to use the brand's name.
Commercial landlords threaten to sue government over eviction ban extension June 20, 2021 A raft of commercial landlords are considering launching legal action against the government after it extended its business eviction ban until March 2022. The British Property Federation, a lobby group for commercial landlords, is looking at all legal options as there is now an estimated £6bn in unpaid rents throughout Covid-19. Chief secretary of the [...]
A breakthrough in Northern Ireland will build bridges with businesses as well as in Europe January 10, 2023 As Brexit continues to cause problems for businesses in Britain, finding a resolution with the EU over Northern Ireland would bring some harmony back to our shores, writes Richard Burge.
Bank of England chief wonk backs ‘steady handed’ approach to rate hikes February 9, 2022 The chief wonk at the Bank of England today backed a “steady handed” approach to rate hikes despite a projected more than seven per cent inflation peak. Huw Pill, the Bank’s chief economist and successor to Andy Haldane, said the Bank needs to hold fire on pursuing an “activist” approach to tightening monetary policy. Pill’s [...]