BIS warns market volatility was just the beginning as global credit binge stalls and investors lose faith in central banks March 6, 2016 The volatile start to the year for financial markets may only mark the beginning of a realisation that the world economy has become more fragile, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) warned today. “The tension between the markets’ tranquillity and the underlying economic vulnerabilities had to be resolved at some point. In the recent quarter, we may have [...]
Aston Martin to create up to 1,000 jobs with new factory in St Athan, Glamorgan and Gaydon, Warwickshire February 24, 2016 James Bond's favourite car brand Aston Martin is creating up to 1,000 jobs in the UK as part of plans to create a new factory in St Athan, Glamorgan and ramp up its existing hub at Gaydon, Warwickshire. The new factory will span across 90 acres, repurposing some of the facilities currently in use at the site by the Ministry of Defence, specifically [...]
EE earnings grow by double digits as 4G customers soar February 12, 2016 EE’s earnings are up by double digits as the firm, which is now part of BT, reports 4G users hitting a 14m milestone. The figures EE’s total network connections grew by 1.8 per cent in 2015, to hit 31.5m in total. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation are up 12.1 per cent over the [...]
Construction growth drops on General Election uncertainty May 5, 2015 Growth in the building sector fell to its slowest pace in almost two years in April, according to an influential study from Markit yesterday. The purchasing managers’ index fell to 54.2 from 57.8 in March – still firmly above the 50-mark that indicates growth, but a sharp slowdown in the pace of rising output. The [...]
Almost 270,000 UK companies ended 2015 with financial problems, according to insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor January 14, 2016 Things can only get better, at least that's what UK companies will be hoping: there was a 17 per cent increase in the number of firms who finished last year in "significant" financial distress, according to the latest data. In the last quarter of 2015, 268,898 UK businesses reported financial problems, up from 229,232 in the same period [...]
Bashing landlords won’t bring down sky-high rents in London February 10, 2016 The proportion of households renting privately in London has more than doubled over the last 10 years. And with demand far outstripping supply, fears are mounting that London’s sky-high rents will rise even further. Some believe a simple fix would be for the winner of May’s mayoral election to introduce some form of rent control in [...]
Eurozone manufacturing grows at fastest pace for over a year January 4, 2016 Manufacturing in the Eurozone is growing at its fastest pace since April 2014, with Italy posting its highest growth rate in nearly five years. Markit's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) – compiled from a survey of businesses – rose to a score 53.2 in December from 52.8 in November. It also slightly above an earlier "flash" estimate of 53.1. Figures above [...]
How the next mayor can turn London into a truly digital city January 26, 2016 In a little over three months, Londoners will elect a new mayor. When we last went to the polls in 2012, London’s tech industry was only just starting to bloom, but since then it has gone on to become the driving force of the capital’s economy. The next mayor will take the helm of the undisputed [...]
Local governments demand more control over starter homes after warning they will be unaffordable February 17, 2016 Local governments have today warned Westminster that discounted starter homes will be unaffordable to the majority that need them unless the scheme is given more flexibility. First-time buyers will be able to buy 200,000 new starter homes over the next five years at a discount of at least 20 per cent to market value. Research by [...]
Here’s what early and seed-stage investor Seedcamp’s portfolio looks like: UK tech startups, fintech and blockchain January 25, 2016 One of the UK and Europe's leading investors in startups at an early stage has lifted the lid on its portfolio of companies. Eight-year old Seedcamp which initially started life as an accelerator but now concentrates on first-round funding, has backed more than 200 companies, which went on to pick up a further $365, in their next stage. Investments include [...]