Political News
UK employers claimed £35bn of unpaid labour in 2019
Over 5m UK workers have put in a total of 2bn unpaid hours in 2019 and UK employers claimed £35bn of free labour, said the TUC on Friday.
UK government calls coronavirus Cobra meeting
The UK government called a meeting of its Cobra emergency committee to coordinate its response to the coronavirus outbreak as the Governor of the Bank of England warned about the disease's potential effect on the economy.
Hong Kong arrests pro-democracy media tycoon in activist crackdown
Hong Kong police arrested a top pro-democracy media tycoon in a crackdown on activists involved in the protests that paralysed the special administrative region in 2019.
Former Barclays bosses cleared of fraud charges
Three former top Barclays executives who were accused of funnelling secret fees to Qatar in exchange for funding were cleared of fraud charges on Friday.
Gambling Commission failing to tame industry and protect addicts
The Gambling Commission is failing to control betting companies, said the National Audit Office in a new report on Friday.
Renold warns of 'direct impact' to operations from coronavirus
Power transmission products supplier Renold warned on Friday that some "challenging market conditions" and the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus would have a direct impact on certain facets of operations.
Reddit CEO calls TikTok a 'parasitic app'
Reddit CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman has lashed out at TikTok saying that it is “fundamentally parasitic” at an event late on Wednesday.
UK government publishes strategy for post-Brexit trade talks
The UK government unveiled its strategy for post-Brexit trade negotiations with the European Union which were scheduled to begin during the following week, holding out the possibility of a no-deal exit if sufficient progress had not been achieved by June.
Appeal court deems Heathrow's third runway illegal
Heathrow’s third runway has been ruled illegal by the court of appeal as it found that the plans did not consider the UK government’s climate change commitments.
IFS urges Chancellor to raise taxes to fund excess budget spending
The Institute of Fiscal Studies said there needs to be a tax hike if the Chancellor wants to go ahead with excessive budget spending or he could risk breaking borrowing rules.
Business wants maximum access to EU markets - survey
The UK government should seek maximum access to EU markets when it sets out its position for trade talks, a survey of business leaders said.
EU demands UK maintain chlorinated chicken ban or risk no trade deal
The EU will include a clause in the Brexit trade deal negotiations demanding that the UK maintain a ban on chlorinated chicken or risk a no-deal Brexit.
Economic imbalances between towns and cities set to widen - EY
The UK’s smaller towns are set to fall further behind big cities over the next three years when it comes to growth, said EY in its latest report.
US open: Heavy losses on the Street, Buffett could go Republican
US stocks recorded some heavy losses at the open as the number of Wuhan coronavirus cases accelerated outside of China.
South Korea calls for resumption of US-North Korea nuclear talks
South Korea’s foreign minister said on Monday that the US and North Korea should resume their nuclear talks and added that the government of South Korea is willing to engage and facilitate negotiations.
Warren Buffett advises investors not to 'buy or sell' on coronavirus headlines
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said on Monday that people should not let the coronavirus panic influence their decisions when it comes to buying or selling stocks.
Iran maintains military spending despite US sanctions
Iran has maintained its military spending dismissing claims that US sanctions forced the government to cut defence budgets.
Switzerland blocked funds sent by son of former Spanish ambassador to Venezuela
Switzerland blocked the transfer of funds by the son of one of Spain's former ambassadors to Venezuela due to authorities' inability to trace the legal origin of the funds.
Equity and crude oil futures slump as virus cases rise in South Korea and Italy
Equity and oil futures are pointing to a lower start to trading this week on the back of rising numbers of coronavirus cases in South Korea, Italy and Iran.
UK govt to ban sales of house coal, wet wood to cut pollution
The sale of bags of coal and wet wood for domestic fires will be banned in England from February next year, the government said on Friday.