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
Every Monday, on our Money blog, we welcome an expert to answer your money problems. Today’s question is from Ellie, who asks… “My outstanding student loan balance is around £5,000 and I’m paying it off with an interest rate of 4.3%. I can’t decide whether it would be better to pay it all off at … Read more
Demand for new staff at businesses has fallen to levels seen in 2020 following last month’s budget, according to a survey of major recruitment consultants. A monthly report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and accountants KPMG suggests the chancellor’s corporate tax raid Rachel Reeves on October 30, employers were forced to “reassess their … Read more
A London-listed marketer backed by Lord Ashcroft, the former Conservative Party treasurer, will this week announce the purchase of a key digital partner for sports properties including the men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. Sky News has learned that Brave Bison, which trades on junior exchange AIM and has a market capitalization of just under £30 … Read more