TransPennine Express to be nationalised after months of disruption – but transport sec warns it’s ‘not a silver bullet’ May 11, 2023 Train services run by TransPennine Express will be nationalised after months of delays and cancellations. Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced the decision to bring the operator’s services under Government control, but warned it is “not a silver bullet”. Graham Sutherland, chief executive of TransPennine Express owner FirstGroup, said the company has “worked extremely hard to [...]
Retail: Sixth wettest March on record dampens sales as shoppers’ fail to weather inflation hike April 21, 2023 Retail sales fell 0.9 per cent in March as wet weather conditions and high inflation hit consumer spending during the month. Despite Mother’s Day falling within the month retail, non-food sales such as clothing and homeware, fell by 1.3 per cent as the sixth wettest March on record since 1836 deterred shoppers from hitting the [...]
UK inflation poised to slip out of the double digits for first time since last summer April 16, 2023 UK inflation is poised to slip out of the double digits for the first time since last summer in what could be the beginning of the cost of living crisis gradually releasing its grip on families over the rest of the year. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday are expected [...]
Confidence in Bitcoin growing by the day March 24, 2023 Jason Deane eyes up all the week's action from the world of cryptocurrency, and discovers a sense of confidence in Bitcoin.
Retail sales: Shoppers feeling the love in lead up to Valentine’s Day not enough to protect sector from ‘volatile trading conditions’ March 7, 2023 Shoppers scrambling for gifts in the lead up to Valentine’s Day helped boost retail sales in February, however the sector has warned that it’s still facing “volatile trading conditions”. According to figures published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK total retail sales increased by 5.2 per cent in February as consumers showed they were [...]
Mercedes-AMG SL 55 review: Rolling thunder February 27, 2023 The Mercedes-AMG SL offers a fresh take on the iconic roadster, with more aggressive styling and a sportier demeanour. Tim Pitt drives it.
Valentine’s Day isn’t a cause for celebration if you’ve been catfished by a fraudster February 15, 2023 Valentine's Day might be the day of love, but the picture is not that rosy for everyone. Victims of romance fraud still get victim-blamed by the authorities, and it's unfair, writes Rosie Beacon
New data: How London fell out of love with Valentine’s Day February 14, 2023 New exclusive data around Valentine’s Day events in London reveals we’re looking for anything but roses and chocolates this year How about a talk on sexuality from from the perspective of Greek and Latin literature for a Valentine’s Day turn-on? Or one on bisexuality from academic campaigners promoting alternatives to heteronormativity? It’s certainly not staring [...]
The economics of envy: ditch the roses for Valentine’s and bake a cake instead February 14, 2023 This Valentine's Day, instead of going for a teddy bear or roses, gift your loved one a shared experience - as economics teach us that's what they'll really appreciate, writes Phoebe Arslanagic Wakefield
Paris on Valentine’s Day a cliché? Not at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée February 13, 2023 THE WEEKEND: Long-stemmed Jacqueminot roses. Flutes of fizzing Feuillatte. Boxes of bonbons by Belgian chocolatiers. A romantic weekend in Paris. You may call it cliché, but I call it classic. Besides, everyone knows Paris is a good idea—especially now, when there are new reasons to pay a visit to the City of Love. THE STAY: [...]