DEBATE: Is Labour set to outperform its 2017 result in this election? October 31, 2019 Is Labour set to outperform its 2017 result in this election? YES, says James Meadway, an economist and former adviser to John McDonnell A solid guide to forecasting British politics is to look at whatever the Westminster consensus thinks, and assume the opposite. The pundits got Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership victory wrong, they got the referendum [...]
Can Boris Johnson magic the most important rabbit of all from out of his hat? October 31, 2019 Dynamo and Derren Brown had better watch out, for there is a new challenger looking to break through and compete for the title of Britain’s finest practitioner of magical arts: Boris Johnson. For his first act, our putative contender conjured up a Brexit deal with the EU that had previously been described as impossible to [...]
Suspended Woodford fund outperforms FTSE benchmark October 30, 2019 Former star fund manager Neil Woodford’s suspended Income Focus Fund has outperformed the FTSE all-share benchmark in the two weeks since it was frozen. In a letter to investors this morning, Link Fund Solutions – which is managing the suspension – revealed that the fund’s returns had grown 1.39 per cent, while its benchmark return [...]
Harry Dunn’s family sues Trump administration October 29, 2019 The family of 19-year-old Harry Dunn, who was killed in a car accident involving the wife of a US diplomat, have announced that they are suing the Trump administration for “legal misconduct”, Sky News has reported. They also said they were starting legal action against Anne Sacoolas, the driver involved in the crash that killed [...]
Keep retail investors in separate funds, says FCA head October 28, 2019 Retail investors could have their money separated from institutional funds to better protect individuals following the collapse of Neil Woodford’s investment empire, the head of the financial regulator has said. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief executive Andrew Bailey said in an interview with The Times that he did not think the mixing of institutional and [...]
Ulez charge has added £41m to TfL coffers since April October 28, 2019 More than £40m has been raised from Sadiq Khan’s air pollution levy in the scheme’s first six months. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL), sent by car selling comparison website Motoway.co.uk, revealed 2.1m Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) charges were purchased by drivers up to 31 August. Read more: Ulez [...]
Virgin Galactic shares blast off as Sir Richard Branson’s firm makes New York Stock Exchange debut October 28, 2019 Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, has taken off on the New York Stock Exchange this afternoon, with shares soaring more than eight per cent in early trading. The company completed a merger with a US investment vehicle late on Friday, making it the first commercial space venture to go public. Branson, who [...]
Deputy mayor set to step down after Westminster call up October 28, 2019 London’s deputy mayor for housing will resign after being selected for a safe Labour seat. James Murray beat out deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal and Ealing North councillor Aysha Raza to be the Labour candidate in Ealing North at the next general election. Read more: ‘Unhappy’ deputy mayors look for Westminster move Current Ealing North [...]
Sorrell’s S4 Capital beefs up analytics division with double acquisition October 28, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital today said it has beefed up its data analytics capabilities, unveiling the acquisition of two data companies. The digital marketing firm said it has bought London data firm Conversion Works and South Korean consultancy Datalicious Korea for an undisclosed sum. Read more: Sorrell’s S4 Capital buys Silicon Valley agency Firewood [...]
Neil Woodford and partner received £20m dividends amid crisis October 28, 2019 Former star stockpicker Neil Woodford and his business partner Craig Newman reportedly raked in dividends close to £20m in the last financial year as the crisis that would lead to the closure of their investment firm escalated. The figure, which covers the year to March 2019, is based on analysis by the Financial Times. Read [...]
