Watch: UK claims Amazon’s first ever drone delivery December 14, 2016 Amazon’s dream of drone deliveries just became a reality – and it happened first in the UK. A fully automated drone with no human input delivered a package to a customer in Cambridgeshire, taking just 13 minutes to get it from depot to door. The first flight of its kind is a major step forward [...]
OECD Pisa education report: Reading and science scores climb as maths struggles December 6, 2016 The UK is climbing the world rankings in both reading and science according to the latest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) international student assessments. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is undertaken once every three years and tests 15-year-olds' abilities in the core academic disciplines of reading, maths and science. It found the [...]
Nigel Farage has said he’ll do whatever he can “formally or informally” to improve UK-US relations December 3, 2016 Nigel Farage may have been thwarted in becoming UK's ambassador to the US, but he's still ready and waiting to help out Donald Trump. Ministers quite quickly poured cold water on Donald Trump's unconventional call on Twitter for the former Ukip leader to be appointed UK ambassador to the US last month, saying there was no vacancy and [...]
Let’s not make feminist idols of women who refuse to wear high heels at work February 2, 2017 A report by two parliamentary committees has called for a review of equality legislation, after a receptionist engaged by outsourcing firm Portico was sent home without pay when she refused to wear high heels while temping at PwC. From what I could tell, the temp’s case consisted of three claims. The first was that wearing [...]
Wine experts at Marks & Spencer have predicted what you’ll be drinking in 2017 January 13, 2017 In 2016, we had the rise of English bubbly, craft beer and gin. Now, wine experts at Marks & Spencer have uncorked their top predictions for the year ahead. 1. First of all, we'll be drinking less Dry January got us all talking about the growing number of high-quality low or zero alcohol drinks, and [...]
Forget Brexit, this startup is eyeing “Brentry” with London expansion plans September 26, 2016 An innovative crowdfunding startup which helps people invest in up-and-coming tech startups alongside venture capitalists has unveiled plans to break into the UK, dismissing any concerns around the uncertainty of Brexit. OurCrowd, a three-year-old Israeli startup which last week landed $£72m (£56m) in funding, plans to open an office in London early next year where it will look to [...]
Head to Paraguay, Serbia and the Czech Republic for a cheap bottle, Wine Price Index 2016 shows October 26, 2016 The UK is the 24th most expensive place to buy a bottle of wine, with an average price of £10.70, a new index shows. The latest research from SHAREaCAMPER looked at the cost of wine in 65 countries around the world, comparing local and imported averages. Wine-lovers should head to Paraguay for a cheap glass of red, [...]
There’s no case for cancelling Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain January 30, 2017 Theresa May did not ask for the hand she has been dealt. She did not campaign for Brexit. She had nothing to do with Donald Trump’s election. Nevertheless she must deal with both – and I am proud of the way she is making the most of the situation she’s in, for the good of our [...]
Monarch Airlines owner Greybull Capital looks to refinancing deal to help company soar September 26, 2016 The investment firm behind Monarch Airlines is seeking tens of millions of pounds in refinancing for the British airline. Today, Monarch, owned by investment group Greybull Capital, said that security concerns and the devaluation of the pound against the euro resulting from the Brexit vote, had made market conditions tougher. City A.M. understands the purchase of 30 [...]
The new bridge to China heralds the start of a golden age for UK fintech November 11, 2016 Over the past few years I’ve witnessed first-hand the UK’s fintech sector emerge as the world’s dominant hub – over traditional technology centres such as Silicon Valley, New York, Israel, Singapore, and Hong Kong. There is no question that more technology innovation and value creation in financial services comes from the UK than anywhere else [...]