FACT CHECKER | WITH DAVID CROW March 14, 2011 SHADOW chancellor Ed Balls will tomorrow force a House of Commons vote on fuel VAT, in a bid to earn political capital from soaring petrol prices. But George Osborne’s allies claim that cutting VAT on fuel is illegal under EU law. Rubbish, say Labour spinners: all Osborne needs to do is apply for an exemption. [...]
FACT CHECKER | WITH DAVID CROW March 14, 2011 SHADOW chancellor Ed Balls will tomorrow force a House of Commons vote on fuel VAT, in a bid to earn political capital from soaring petrol prices. But George Osborne’s allies claim that cutting VAT on fuel is illegal under EU law. Rubbish, say Labour spinners: all Osborne needs to do is apply for an exemption. [...]
Strike alert at public sector pension cuts March 10, 2011 MEASURES to rein in the spiralling costs of public sector pensions were proposed by Lord Hutton yesterday, prompting strong threats from trade union leaders. A cap should be imposed limiting cost to the taxpayer, the independent pensions commission suggested. As a result, workers “might need to increase their contributions, or take a smaller pension,” Lord [...]
Be liked to be more successful February 23, 2011 PEOPLE are more likely to want to do business with you if they like you. But are there things that you can do to foster that chemistry? Yes, says American business writer, entrepreneur and investor Guy Kawasaki, in his new book Enchantment. Enchantment, he says, is “the process of delighting people with a product, service, [...]
IHG raises its dividend as hotels boom February 15, 2011 InterContinental Hotels, the world’s biggest hotelier, showed confidence in economic recovery by lifting its final dividend for the first time in three years and set a target for opening more hotels. The British group, home to the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands, met forecasts with a 22 per cent rise in 2010 profit, [...]
DLR staff vote to strike January 12, 2011 CANARY WHARF is set to endure another round of travel misery, after workers on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) voted in favour of strike action yesterday. The RMT union said 162 staff from operator Serco Docklands voted to strike, with 36 voting against action in a dispute over pensions, working hours and redundancies. David Stretch, [...]
DLR staff vote to strike January 12, 2011 CANARY WHARF is set to endure another round of travel misery, after workers on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) voted in favour of strike action yesterday. The RMT union said 162 staff from operator Serco Docklands voted to strike, with 36 voting against action in a dispute over pensions, working hours and redundancies. David Stretch, [...]
Bankers vs politicians: The war isn’t over yet January 12, 2011 CAN we all breathe a huge sigh of relief? Has peace broken out between bankers and politicians? Has the government caved in to the masters of the universe – or brought them to heal? And is it safe now to mention at dinner parties that you work in the City? There are many different sides [...]
Unions won’t risk royal day strike action January 11, 2011 TRADE UNIONS have downplayed the threat of potential strike action on the day of the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. Threats to ruin celebrations on 29 April incensed the city, after fears unions could bring London to a grinding halt, as millions the world over turn their focus on the capital for [...]
Brussels is calling the shots over banker payouts January 9, 2011 MUCH of the rhetoric surrounding bankers’ bonuses is just that: rhetoric. David Cameron yesterday said that he didn’t want to micromanage British banks, a sentiment that should be welcomed, but the truth is that politicians in Brussels – not Britain – really call the shots when it comes to variable remuneration. For the Committee of European [...]