Thames Water launches a live sewage discharge map – see if your local drain is overflowing January 5, 2023 Thames Water have launched a map of its sewage discharge points to mark the new year – and those living in the area won’t be very impressed. The map appears to show a host of monitors registering live discharge as of 1:40pm, with many focussed around Oxford and out into the Berkshire countryside. The company [...]
Under-pressure Putin to Ukraine: Give up territory before I’ll join negotiations January 5, 2023 President Vladimir Putin told Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday that Russia was open to dialogue over Ukraine but that Kyiv would have to accept the loss of territories claimed by Russia, the Kremlin said. “Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s openness to a serious dialogue, provided that the Kiev authorities fulfill the well–known and repeatedly voiced requirements [...]
The Meal Deal Inflation Index: Tesco, Greggs, Boots and more January 5, 2023 Times are hard – with a cost of living crisis, inflation, and seemingly constant grey skies. Add strikes to the mix and it’s almost too much to get out of bed. But there is worse than even that – the hardy meal deal, the friend of the cost-conscious Londoners, is no longer quite the value [...]
Amazon: Tech giant to lay off 17,000 staff but boss Jassy remains confident January 5, 2023 Amazon layoffs will now increase to more than 18,000 roles as part of a workforce reduction it previously disclosed, Chief Executive Andy Jassy said in a public staff note on Wednesday. The layoff decisions, which Amazon will communicate starting Jan. 18, will largely impact the company’s e-commerce and human-resources organizations, he said. The cuts amount [...]
Takeover bid: Why listed funeral firm Dignity appears set for new private ownership January 4, 2023 A consortium led by Sir Peter Wood, the founder of Direct Line, and City fund management bigwig Gary Channon appears set to take the reins of Dignity, the London-listed funeral firm. In an announcement to markets this evening, Dignity said it would be “minded to recommend” a fourth offer by Wood and Channon’s consortium to [...]
Rishi Sunak: I’ll halve inflation and get the economy growing again January 4, 2023 Rishi Sunak has pledged to halve inflation and bring down NHS waiting lists, as he set out a fresh vision for his premiership with five promises to voters. In his first major speech of 2023, the Prime Minister promised to deliver “peace of mind” to the public, even as his Government grapples with an NHS [...]
Experts predict house prices will fall in 2023 – but it’s not all bad news for homeowners January 4, 2023 Homeowners can expect to see house prices fall this year by as much as six per cent over the year, according to a leading property association. The boss of the National Association of Property buyer Jonathan Rolande does though expect activity and demand to pick up in the summer months. ““This will negate some of [...]
Tech layoffs: Another US giant announces plans to slash headcount by 10 per cent January 4, 2023 Salesforce said on Wednesday it would lay off about 10 per cent of its employees and close some offices, becoming the latest tech firm to undertake cost cuts amid an economic slowdown. The company expects the move to lead to about $1.4 billion to $2.1 billion in charges, of which about $800 million to $1 [...]
Sainsbury’s boosts pay as part of £205m inflation package January 4, 2023 Sainsbury’s is investing £185m in pay bumps for staff as the supermarket looks to retain staff during a period of high inflation and rising cost of living. Pay will increase to £11 per hour for retail staff, with London workers paid £11.95. It represents a 10 per cent pay hike over the past year when [...]
Edging lower: Oil price slips and could fall further on China Covid concerns January 4, 2023 Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday after slumping in the previous session, weighed down by concerns about weak demand due to the state of the global economy and China’s rising Covid-19 cases. Brent futures for March delivery fell 43 cents to $81.67 a barrel, a 0.5% loss, by 0700 GMT. U.S. crude dropped 39 cents, [...]