The Prime Minister and Chancellor were in sync as they reacted to the GDP figures released on Friday morning. “Disappointing,” said the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, echoing Rachel Reeves» the words two hours earlier. THE The British economy has contracted for one second monthcontracting by 0.1% in October. Money Blog: Latest Updates Please use Chrome browser … Read more
Another leading technology company is being swallowed up in a transatlantic takeover that will underline the scale of the raid on some of Britain’s most promising companies. Sky News has learned that Demica, one of the UK’s largest supply chain finance providers, has agreed a deal with FIS, the New York-listed tech giant, valued at … Read more
The publisher of the Daily Telegraph will offer hundreds of staff a £500 bonus this month as uncertainty over its ownership is expected to stretch into a third calendar year. Sky News saw an email sent on Thursday from Anna Jones, chief executive of Telegraph Media Group, in which she informed employees they would receive … Read more
A third successive interest rate cut has been ordered by the European Central Bank (ECB) to help stem the slowdown in the eurozone. The bank’s board said that while its fight against inflation continued to make real progress, it was also acting to help fuel declining demand in the 20 countries that use the euro. … Read more
Small British businesses have stopped selling to Northern Ireland as well as Europe due to additional administrative hurdles posed by new EU customs rules coming into force. Many small businesses said they were unable to meet new requirements for paperwork and numbering of each product, as well as the need to have an “authorized representative” … Read more
Labour’s rural problem has resurfaced. This time the government faces fierce opposition modification of inheritance tax. Unless a breakthrough is made, Labour’s rural problem risks becoming everyone’s problem. The protesters showed no signs to move back on Tuesday. Farmers from all over rural Britain got up in the middle of the night to begin their … Read more
Thames Water has revealed a 40% increase in sewage spills while warning that a looming decision on what it can charge its customers is “fundamental to our future”. The UK’s biggest supplier, which is struggling to avoid the prospect of a special administration amid massive debt, has always maintained that the regulator’s decision on its … Read more
A $10 billion-plus takeover bid for one of America’s largest drugstore chains is set to trigger a new Boots the Chemist auction after a series of failed attempts to sell the British retail giant detail. Sky News understands that Sycamore Partners, the private equity firm, is expected to seek separate ownership for Boots if it … Read more
One of Britain’s leading financial mutuals is in talks to buy Dalmore Capital, the infrastructure investor with a stake in the Thames “super sewer”. Sky News has learned that Royal London is among the suitors surrounding Dalmore, which began considering a sale earlier this autumn. Royal London’s interest is serious but has not yet resulted … Read more
Eliminating all incidents of pollution in the Thames Water network will be “nearly impossible” and a public debate is needed on the true cost of stopping all wastewater discharges, chief executive Chris Weston has said. Speaking on the occasion of the revelation of the company’s interim results pollution incidents increased by 40%Mr Weston said customers’ … Read more