UK economy shrinks 20 per cent in April lockdown in worst ever month June 12, 2020 The UK economy shrank by a record 20 per cent in the first full month of lockdown as shops sent workers home to close for the duration of April. Activity in the UK economy contracted by 20.4 per cent in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said today, marking the single largest monthly drop [...]
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding 2018: Pubs minister urges revellers to celebrate Royal Wedding at their local April 14, 2018 It has not been the best start to the year for the UK’s pubs. Snow had a severe impact on business during February and March, while tax hikes which came into effect this month are set to add to the pressure forcing 18 pubs to close every week. But Jake Berry, the minister responsible for [...]
FTSE 100 and Wall Street gain on signs of economic recovery June 23, 2020 The FTSE 100 closed up and Wall Street posted strong gains on Tuesday afternoon after new economic data signalled that business activity across the US, UK and the Eurozone was recovering faster than expected. Having risen steadily throughout the morning, the FTSE 100 pushed ahead in afternoon trading today as traders welcomed the most significant [...]
Feeling the heat: Carluccio’s waiters rise up in row over tips September 22, 2019 Waiters at Carluccio’s are hitting back at the restaurant chain after a change in tipping policy that has allegedly left them hundreds of pounds worse off per month. Employees at the Italian eatery have joined the Unite union in a bid to scrap a new policy that siphons off a great proportion of tips to [...]
Lifting the lockdown: Boris Johnson’s speech in full May 10, 2020 On Sunday evening the Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation, outlining the steps Britain will take as the coronavirus lockdown lifts. Below is the transcript of his speech. It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of [...]
Lloyd’s of London will ban drunk staff from the office as it clamps down on harassment with new rules April 7, 2019 Lloyd’s of London is set to share a new code of conduct with employees this week, setting out revised expectations for staff following a series of allegations over the culture at the firm. Last month Bloomberg quoted 18 women who had been subjected to “near-persistent harassment” at the insurance market, with one colleague calling the [...]
Sajid Javid: My pitch to the businesses of Britain November 18, 2019 Britain’s 6m businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They have driven employment to record highs, with wages outstripping inflation. And they have made our country a hotbed of furious innovation in products and services. We would all like to see higher economic growth — after a decade of recovery from the last Labour government [...]
Focus on Barnsbury: An elegant oasis between Islington and King’s Cross November 8, 2019 Barnsbury counts bustling King’s Cross and lively Upper Street among its neighbours. But if you were blindfolded and dropped in the middle of one of its streets you’d probably think you were in a sedate suburb rather than the heart of N1. Firstly, it is very quiet – so quiet that, in 2013, one of [...]
Lloyd’s of London unveils ‘robust plan’ to create safe workplace following sexual harassment claims March 26, 2019 Lloyd’s of London has unveiled a “robust plan” to create a safer workplace following reports of sexual harassment. The package of measures focuses on making it easier for staff to lodge complaints and includes an independent survey on the company’s culture and a review of practices. Read more: Shadow City minister pushes Lloyd's of London [...]
Shadow City minister ramps up pressure on Lloyd’s of London over sexual harassment claims March 26, 2019 The shadow City minister has ramped up pressure on Lloyd’s of London to eradicate its “institutionally sexist” culture after reports of sexual harassment at the 330-year-old insurance market. Labour’s John Reynolds has demanded answers from chief executive John Neal on how the company will respond to the allegations and permanently change it culture. Read more: [...]