Few compromises on this eco Ford October 2, 2012 With fuel economy figures of 78.5mpg, Ford’s Fiesta Econetic model is not just the most economical model in Ford’s range but one of the most frugal cars on sale anywhere. This is one reason why I am not overly excited to drive it: in my experience, most super-economical and green cars are lacking enjoyment-wise. Which [...]
FTSE drifts lower as fears over UK’s economic outlook leads to caution September 20, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index wilted yesterday after economic data painted a bleak picture of prospects for a rebound in activity in the United States, Europe and China, heightening concerns over company earnings and valuations. The UK’s FTSE 100 closed down 33.84 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 5,854.64, continuing to edge away from 6-month highs [...]
UK fuel output plummets in 2011 December 22, 2011 Domestic fuel production fell 19.2 per cent in the third quarter compared with the same period of 2010 – a record annual quarter on quarter fall, according to data from the Department for Energy and Climate Change. The government denied that this was due to its windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas profits. [...]
Ed Miliband’s populist policies will make the UK’s bad position worse October 1, 2012 OUR political climate currently mirrors our economic situation – bleak and shockingly uninspiring. At a recent breakfast for business leaders in London, a veteran newspaper journalist spoke of the challenge faced across the West as one of “unpopular governments and unconvincing oppositions”. The polls in Britain bear this out. A ComRes poll for the Independent [...]
Ed Miliband’s populist policies will make the UK’s bad position worse October 1, 2012 OUR political climate currently mirrors our economic situation – bleak and shockingly uninspiring. At a recent breakfast for business leaders in London, a veteran newspaper journalist spoke of the challenge faced across the West as one of “unpopular governments and unconvincing oppositions”. The polls in Britain bear this out. A ComRes poll for the Independent [...]
Xcite looks to appease investors December 12, 2011 Xcite Energy said yesterday a “viable and more financially efficient” means of commercialising the Bentley North Sea oil field was being investigated, after shareholders had expressed concerns over an apparent lack of progress. The department of energy and climate change must first sign-off the Bentley field development plan. Xcite’s shares fell 4.8 per cent.
E&Y tops gay-friendly survey January 11, 2012 BIG four accountancy firm Ernst & Young was yesterday named as the most gay-friendly employer in the UK, topping the annual index of the best firms for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. Ernst & Young moved up from third position last year to take the top spot in Stonewall’s workplace equality index, which considers criteria [...]
An energetic tool to help manage business ambitions July 24, 2012 THE word legacy is somewhat overused. But Visi – the real-time energy monitoring technology, installed by EDF Energy at sports venues across the Olympic Park – has a business case that reaches beyond the Games. Visi (see screenshot right) helps energy managers understand and reduce electricity consumption. It will remain at the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics [...]
Time to invest in infrastructure we actually need February 19, 2012 IT MAY be winter and pretty rainy but now is the time to start thinking about this summer’s inevitable water shortages in southeast England. For years, the government’s strategy has been to ration water. Yet in parts of the UK it rains almost every other day all year long. The wet regions are economically deprived; [...]
Firms fear red tape and euro January 4, 2012 THE EUROZONE crisis is the most important issue facing the UK economy, but the government should do more to support the financial services industry and slash the red tape damaging any hopes of recovery, top London businesses told Ipsos Mori’s Captains of Industry survey. The level of regulation on UK businesses is harming the economy [...]