My vision as City minister: I want UK finance to be the world’s most competitive June 30, 2015 During my two decades in the financial services industry, I always enjoyed the important annual events that bring the industry together. It was great to be back at The City UK’s conference yesterday, speaking this time in my new job as the government minister responsible for financial services policy. I’m proud of the [...]
Graduate jobs: The best and worst cities to find a graduate job in the UK – Cambridge, Guildford and Reading are top spots, but London fails to make the grade June 29, 2015 Students about to don a cap and gown for graduation are better off heading to Cambridge for the best chance of finding a job. The city is the best place to get on the first rung of the career ladder, competing against the fewest jobseekers for each vacancy, while Sunderland is the worst according to [...]
Professional salaries jump amid scramble for the brightest talent June 28, 2015 Demand for professional staff climbed strongly in May, with sharp growth in both job vacancies and average salaries. Professional recruitment firms had 13 per cent more jobs on their books than in May 2014, the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (Apsco) said today. Opportunities were up the most across IT, engineering and finance with year-on-year [...]
Britain’s ageing population could boost economic growth – if we adapt June 25, 2015 The UK and other western economies face the prospect of an ageing population. As the post-war baby boomers grow older, and people live longer, the number of over-65s in the UK is expected to nearly double by 2050. This is often seen as a problem for society, leading to higher health care and social costs, [...]
The employment landscape has never been so good for entrepreneurs June 24, 2015 THERE is a myth that should be dispelled. Despite many commentators and business owners believing the contrary, it’s relatively easy to hire and fire employees in Britain. This myth gained particular currency prior to recent legislative changes but still persists. Since 6 April 2012, employees must have been employed by a company for two [...]
Bank of England monetary policy committee could split over timing of first interest rate rise June 24, 2015 One of the MPC’s nine members, Dr Martin Weale, has indicated that the Bank of England should be prepared to raise the cost of borrowing as early as August. The comments indicate the monetary policy committee could soon face a split over when to raise interest rates from the historic low of 0.5 per cent they [...]
New FCA and PRA bonus clawback rules: The UK now has the toughest bank pay rules in the world June 23, 2015 New rules to claw back bankers’ bonuses for up to 10 years threaten to undermine London’s appeal to international financiers, consultants warned yesterday, in the latest salvo against big banks from UK regulators. Read more: Bank bonus clawback extended to 10 years by UK regulators The clawback rules comes amid growing tensions between [...]
Tube strike could lead to more home working disputes: How businesses should plan around disruption June 23, 2015 London is braced for the worst tube disruption in a decade next month if Tube workers and their unions decide to go ahead with planned strike action. For some employers in the City and elsewhere, this could lead to more workplace disputes if employees abuse permission given to work from home. The always-on culture of [...]
Clawback extended to 10 years as UK regulators Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority mull negative bonuses June 23, 2015 Bonuses could be clawed back for as long as a decade under new rules published by City regulators today. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed they were pushing ahead with rules for a wider seven-year claw-back period but that an added three years is being considered for senior managers. [...]
City watchdogs expected to curb restrictions on bonus buy-outs June 22, 2015 Regulators will bow to City warnings that new pay rules threaten to undermine the UK’s competitiveness when they unveil proposals to change the way bonuses are treated when bankers quit their jobs to join a rival firm. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are expected to announce today that they have [...]