Government to give one-off milk payment for dairy farmers as Morrisons launches premium milk brand October 12, 2015 Struggling dairy farmers across the UK are to receive a one-off payment to help ease their cash-flow problems caused by the volatile price of milk, the government announced today. Farmers in the four nations of the UK will receive a cut of £26.2m between them. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) plans to ensure the aid reaches [...]
The volume of small businesses is at a record high, but how will they survive in a Google-dominated world? October 16, 2015 The government announced that the number of private sector businesses in the UK has reached a record 5.4 million, but what’s it like for these businesses trying to compete with Goliath global organisations’ deep pockets and large support teams? It’s become clear to us that there are common challenges faced by startups, and much of it comes [...]
Four things we know about Quindell’s new chief executive Indro Mukerjee August 17, 2015 Quindell today announced the appointment of new chief exec Indro Mukerjee, two months after the departure of Robert Fielding. Mukerjee, who takes the helm on 7 September, said he plans to focus on improving its offering to customers, as well as boosting shareholder value. Here are four things we know about the insurance outsourcer's new boss. He was [...]
Gender equality: Addressing the gender imbalance in tech has to start earlier – at school September 29, 2015 Last week, research by McKinsey Global Institute found that closing the gender pay gap could add $12tn (£7.8tn) to the global economy over the next decade. The equality of women in the workplace is no doubt of huge benefit to companies and society alike – but we aren’t taking the necessary steps to secure it. [...]
Government risks jeopardising UK competitiveness if it is over-zealous in corporate tax reform November 19, 2015 At the Autumn Statement next week, we should get some indication of how the government intends to put into practice the biggest change to international taxation for almost a century. For the UK, this presents both a huge challenge and an opportunity. The stakes could hardly be higher because the proposed changes go to the [...]
Chime Communications board gives thumbs up to £374m WPP and Providence takeover bid July 31, 2015 Chime Communications' directors have unanimously recommended a £374m takeover from Providence Equity Partners and WPP to shareholders Read more: Chime shares soar on £350m WPP takeover talk The takeover offer entitles shareholders to 365p per Chime share and an interim dividend for the current year of 2.53p per share. Chime's specialist sports marketing businesses appear to [...]
Make 10-year Chinese visas cheaper default option and bring £337m to UK economy, claims UKCVA October 2, 2015 Leading retailers have renewed their pleas for the government to overhaul its system regarding Chinese visas, claiming a simplified regime would boost the UK's economy by £337m. The UK China Visa Alliance (UKCVA) – which is made up of businesses such as retail park group McArthurGlen, retail body New West End Company, Walpole, London [...]
Feel good is back: UK economic sentiment is about to perk up November 3, 2015 UK equity markets have seen some pronounced swings over the last few weeks. Sentiment over global economic growth has shifted between cautiously optimistic, cautious and concerned, with almost a different narrative every week. While the short-term market watchers scour the data for hints about the direction of travel, the longer-term narrative regarding “secular stagnation” (low [...]
The end of Black Friday: Why the seasonal price-slashing frenzy is too unprofitable to last November 15, 2015 Asda's decision to pull out of Black Friday may have hit the headlines last week, but the move was far from unprecedented. In the US, where this seasonal price-slashing frenzy originated, held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, retailers have also started to back off. The outdoor and sporting goods chain REI, which has more than [...]
2016 London mayoral election: Conservative candidate Syed Kamall wants a London referendum on future airport capacity September 4, 2015 Londoners should be able to decide themselves whether airport capacity is expanded at Heathrow or elsewhere, Conservative London mayoral candidate Syed Kamall has said. The future of aviation capacity in London is for the people of London to decide, and should not be left to “unelected bureaucrats and vested interests to decide between Heathrow, Gatwick [...]