Boris Johnson turns his back on today’s Brexit trade deal ‘deadline’ October 15, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not walk away from Brexit negotiations today, despite setting a 15 October deadline for reaching an “outline” for a trade deal with the EU. Johnson signaled that he will not decide whether an agreement with the bloc is possible before today’s EU summit in Brussels, following advice from Brexit envoy [...]
The mayor must speak up for ambitious Londoners and for businesses — not call for further restrictions October 13, 2020 Sadiq Khan is arguably under more scrutiny — and subject to some of the harshest criticism — than any politician in the country. Much of it is unfair. London remains a city with an illusion of a mayor, rather than one with the power to make decisions for the good of the city and its [...]
Mayor warns London faces new restrictions ‘very soon’ October 12, 2020 London mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that the capital faces fresh lockdown restrictions “very soon” to quell a rapid rise in infections. Khan said it is “highly likely” that Londoners will face further measures to stem the spread of the virus ”because cases are rising so quickly across the city”. It comes as the number [...]
Trump vs Biden – should investors really care? October 12, 2020 | City Talk There are two things I’m being asked about constantly at the moment: Covid-19 and the US election. As a former politics student who’s always maintained my passion for the subject, I certainly feel more comfortable opining on the latter. But as an investor, how much should I really care if the next US president is [...]
David Dimbleby throws hat in the ring for BBC chairman October 9, 2020 Media veteran David Dimbleby has announced he is considering a bid for BBC chairman, claiming he was “horrified” by reports that former Telegraph editor Lord Charles Moore was the Prime Minister’s top pick for the job. The TV presenter, best known for hosting political debate show Question Time, told the BBC speculation that Moore was [...]
Frasers Group launches charm offensive to boost reputation over treatment of staff October 7, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group today launched a charm offensive against shareholders and the City over the firm’s treatment of workers, which has previously been the subject of intense scrutiny. Speaking at this morning’s annual general meeting, non-executive chairman David Daly said the firm’s elevation strategy, which has seen it target a high-end retail reputation, also [...]
Banking sector warns against irresponsible lending after PM’s low deposit mortgage pledge October 7, 2020 The banking sector has cautioned against irresponsible lending after the Prime Minister announced plans to help millions of potential buyers onto the housing ladder by allowing low deposit mortgages. Boris Johnson yesterday said he wants to turn “generation rent” into “generation buy” by allowing people to purchase homes with a five per cent deposit. The [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group urges investors to back employee bonus scheme October 7, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has urged shareholders to back an employee bonus scheme, which would require the retailer’s share price to triple before workers receive a payout. Ahead of this morning’s annual general meeting, the firm, which has come under fire recently over reports that staff were asked to work while on furlough, called on [...]
Bill Gates issues warning over spread of ‘titillating untruths’ on social media October 6, 2020 Bill Gates today took aim at social media platforms for allowing the spread of misinformation relating to the coronavirus pandemic. The business mogul said the Covid-19 crisis had highlighted the “urgent” need to crack down misleading and false information online, which he said spread “so much faster than the truth”. “There’s certainly a human weakness [...]
Mike Ashley faces shareholder showdown over re-election as Frasers boss October 6, 2020 Mike Ashley is facing a shareholders revolt at the Frasers Group annual general meeting tomorrow, following claims that employees were forced to work while furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown. Shareholder advisory service Pirc has recommended that investors oppose Ashley’s re-election as chief executive of the retail group, which was formerly known as Sports Direct. The [...]