Banking Standards Board (BSB) chairman Dame Colette Bowe says rebuilding the trustworthiness of British banking will be a “long haul” March 8, 2016 Building the trustworthiness of the British banking sector will be a “long haul”, a former regulator has warned, as the Banking Standards Board (BSB) publishes its first annual review. The BSB is an independent body set up last year to improve standards of behaviour in the Square Mile and restore the public’s trust in financial [...]
Government to force councils to reveal empty properties as part of housing push February 3, 2016 Local authorities are to be forced to publicly disclose all the properties they own as part of government plans to make better use of public sector land and build more homes. Speaking at the Government Property Conference this morning, Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock said that through the Housing and Planning Bill councils will be [...]
UK construction rebound lifts economic growth hopes January 5, 2016 The UK's construction sector gained some momentum in December, survey figures released this morning show. Markit's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a score of 57.9 in December, up from November's seven-month low of 55.3. Scores above 50 imply the sector grew over the month, with higher scores implying faster growth. Higher levels of construction [...]
Why leaving the EU will undermine London’s global competitiveness June 2, 2016 London is at the forefront of the huge changes buffeting our society and our economy, as we confront and cope with the realities of globalisation. India and China, and the emerging economies of Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brazil and others, are overturning Europe’s traditional dominance. In Africa, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia all had growth [...]
Nationwide posts strong profit growth as mortgage lending reaches pre-recession levels May 24, 2016 Nationwide lent more money to house-buyers last year than it has done since the financial crash starting in 2007, helping the society to post strong profit growth. The figures Gross mortgage lending at the building society was up 20 per cent to £32.6bn, as the firm helped 57,200 first time buyers into a home of their own. [...]
How best to impress a robot recruiter: The CV writing tips you need to know June 10, 2016 Disintermediation has changed the recruitment industry forever. Tech has led the reconfiguration of the sector and significantly reduced the need for intermediaries, traditionally provided by recruitment and executive search firms. Companies have made huge savings to their hiring budgets, and data use and talent analytics are ever growing in a bid to drive further efficiency. However, [...]
Advent International builds $13bn global private equity warchest in six months for buyouts, recapitalisations and growth equity transactions March 23, 2016 Advent International has raised $13bn (£9.2bn) for a new global private equity fund in six months. The new fund, Advent International GPE VIII, will invest in buyouts, recapitalisations and growth equity transactions. It will primarily focus on Europe and North America but also selectively in Asia and Latin America. Read more: Private investment funds raise more than $500bn [...]
EU Tobacco Products Directive chokes off the UK’s e-cigarette and vaping market May 5, 2016 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) yesterday ruled in favour of legislation that will significantly choke off the UK’s burgeoning, multi-million pound e-cigarette market. From 20 May, the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive will restrict e-cigarette advertising in print, on television and radio, as well as clamp down on the strength of nicotine liquids and flavours [...]
Government considers taking a 25 per cent stake in Tata Steel’s UK business and reveals plans for millions of pounds’ worth of financial support to buyers April 21, 2016 The government has said it would be willing to take a 25 per cent stake in any rescue of Tata Steel’s UK operations and will be providing debt finance to potential buyers. A package of support worth hundreds of millions of pounds will be made available. The announcement follows a second meeting between business secretary Sajid Javid [...]
London’s public toilets shame the capital and they’re disappearing fast: We need a private sector revolution to end this crisis May 31, 2016 A BBC investigation shows that the number of public toilets has continued to fall, with nearly 1,800 closing nationwide in the last 10 years. There is no legal obligation on councils to provide conveniences, and closing them is often an easy way to save money when cash is short. London’s provision is now abysmal, with [...]