Money: BT Shares - 20th Nov 09
A quarter of a century on since the sale of BT are we in for another round of privatisations? Despite concerns among businesses about the withdrawal of trade credit, a Government scheme to help protect suppliers won't be extended, we take a look at why. Also, Linn, the high-end hi-fi manufacturer, is stopping making CD players from the start of next year to concentrate on turntables for vinyl records and new kit that steams digital music files through your hi-fi.
News and views from the business world with Mickey Clark and Andrew Verity.
Money: New Bosses - 19th Nov 09
Two of the biggest jobs in British business were filled yesterday. Marks and Spencers go Dutch with the man from Morrisons, Marc Bolland to replace Sir Stuart Rose meanwhile ITV bagged Archie Norman the former Asda boss to become chairman. We also take a look at fraud which is back on the up this time it's middle managers caught with their hands in the till.
M&S name Marc Bolland as Chief Executive while ITV's new Chairman is Archie Norman.
Money: Finance Bill - 18th Nov 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: The Queen's speech later today will outline a Financial Services and Business Bill which is expected to pave the way for further changes to City regulation. One of the aspect's of the Queen's speech which could have the biggest effect both on consumers and internet companies is the Digital Economy Bill, which we discuss. We also look at why Debenhams has launched a 250 million price cutting campaign, a full six...
Preview of the Queen's speech and Debenhams' £250 million price cutting campaign.
Money: Commercial Property Market - 17th Nov 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: There may be signs that the commercial property market is finally picking up today when British Land reveals results this morning. The Government's preferred measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index, is expected to show later this morning that the rate at which prices are increasing rose in October for the first time in months. We also look at what Barack Obama has in store for persuading the Chinese to...
A resurgent commercial property market, rising inflation and the falling cost of motoring.
Money: Financial Regulation - 16th Nov 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: The Treasury Select Committee publishes its response this morning to the EU's proposals to tighten financial regulation. Alistair Darling has said the Financial Services Authority will be given powers to "tear up" bankers' contracts if pay deals reward unnecessary risk-taking. We also look at a report on the effects of recession on the jobs market. Finally, the British Chambers of Commerce says finance remains a...
News that the FSA is to be given powers to "tear up" bankers' contracts.
Money: Transport - 13th Nov 09
Fri, Nov 13
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: From midnight tonight the government takes over the running of the East Coast Main Line rail franchise from London to Edinburgh. Meanwhile the boards of British Airways and Iberia have been talking about a merger of the two airlines. We also look at what's been going on in the world of small businesses with HSBC becoming the latest bank to bang the drum for greater lending. Finally, To qualify for state aid...
Money: Lloyds Scheme - 12th Nov 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Lloyds has launched a small business charter to cover businesses with a turnover of up to 15m over the next 3 years. Shares in the estate agency chain Winkworths will change hands on the Alternative Investment Market later today. We also look at why model agencies are to be completely banned from charging high up front fees under new government plans announced today. Finally, the Australian company Scotgold has...
Money: BofE Assessment
Wed, Nov 11
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: The Bank of England will this morning publish its latest assessment of the economy. A new report shows that low earners are being hit harder than the rest of us by this recession. We also look at what's in store for the supermarket chain Sainsbury's as it prepares to release its interim results for the first half of this year. Finally, a new computer that only does the basics and claims to be simple to use is...
Money: Banks - 10th Nov 09
Tue, Nov 10
Barclays is expected to reveal that it's on course for record profits this morning in the midst of this slump. We also look at how the UK is the shoplifting capital of Europe according to a new report out today but what's driving the steep rise in theft?
Money: Jobs - 9th Nov 09
Mon, Nov 9
The redundancy epidemic is easing according to the latest jobs market survey out today. But what does this latest survey tell us about job prospects? We take a look.The Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago today but what's been the economic reality for Germany since it came down?
Money: BA Results - 6th Nov 09
Fri, Nov 6
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: BA results are due out today but will that mean record losses for six months from the troubled airline? At the end of a massive week for the banks, RBS will update the City on how it's done over the past six months. We also look at where the postal industry is heading following the news that postmen will back down from plans to launch a national strike. Finally, the upper class estate agent Savills says...
Money:Interest Rates - 5th Nov 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: The Bank of England concludes its latest monetary policy meeting today. Interest rates are likely to remain on hold but there's a growing body of opinion that it will extend Quantitative Easing. We also look at a report which suggests that despite the worst economic crisis of modern times, we're still planning to spend as much this Christmas as last. Finally, Russia is trying to tempt Western investors to buy...
Money: GM - 4th Nov 09
Wed, Nov 4
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: GM has cancelled plans to sell its European car business Opel, including its UK brand Vauxhall. Rising temperatures, as a result of climate change, could leave thousands of people unable to afford insurance and thousands of properties uninsurable. We also look at why Britain's jobs market is healthier today than at anytime in the last two years. Finally, HM Revenue & Customs is launching a campaign today to...
Money: Bank Industry - 3rd Nov 09
Tue, Nov 3
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Today's the day when we get the most significant ever forced reconstruction of the British banking industry. One in five bank customers has switched lender over the past two years because they were unhappy with the way they were treated. We also look at why company directors are working longer hours for the same or less pay. Finally, we look at what's in store for the future of the aviation industry.
Money: New Banks
Mon, Nov 2
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Alistair Darling has announced sweeping changes to retail banking with the creation of three new High street banks. We also look why there is still life at the end of the tunnel for smaller manufacturers. Finally, house price survey results for October are published later today.
Money: Economy - 30th Oct 09
Fri, Oct 30
America joins France and Germany in pulling out of recession but what does that mean for the poor old UK? And Threshers is the latest high street chain to call in the administrators. We speak to the winner of the Financial Times business book of the year award which was revealed last night.
Money: US GDP - 29th Oct 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Later on this afternoon the world's biggest economy may be officially out of recession. Today sees the start of the latest strike by postal workers after talks between Royal Mail management and the Communication Workers Union ended yesterday without resolution. We also look at why British retirees could be missing out on hundreds of millions of pounds according to a new report. Finally, the TUC is calling for...
Money: Northern Rock - 28th Oct 09
Wed, Oct 28
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: The European Commission is today expected to approve a plan to split up Northern Rock. The GMB union is lobbying Parliament to get a ruling that denies compensation for sufferers of an asbestos related condition overturned. We also look at what might be in store for the biggest bank in the Eurozone and owner of the Abbey, Santander, which publishes its results later. Finally, Britain's young entrepreneur of...
Money: Credit Cards - 27th Oct 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Consumer Affairs Minister Kevin Brennan is launching a consultation on credit and store cards which could herald a crack down on credit and store card providers. Later this morning BP is likely to announce a fall in profits for the third quarter of the year at 1.96bn down from nearly 5.5bn in the same period last year. We also take a look at what's in store for a big gathering of the computer games industry in...
Money: FTSE Bonuses - 26th Oct 09
Mon, Oct 26
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Bonuses for FTSE 100 directors have slumped by 29% but are still over 500,000 despite the recession according to the latest Income Data Services research. The proportion of revenue from green taxes on businesses and households should be more than doubled by 2020, and include a 3,300 levy on new cars, says an influential think tank. We also look at whether it's time for private investors to get back into stocks...
Money: Bank Lending - 23rd Oct 09
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including:In the week when the Financial Services Authority unveiled a big shake-up of the way mortgages are sold and regulated, we talk to the the man responsible for mortgages at the UK's biggest lender. The former boss of the UK arm of Kaupthing talks to us about Icelandic banks. We also look ahead to figures which are expected to confirm that the UK will officially be out of recession later this morning. Finally, the...
Money: Undeclared Cash - 22nd Oct 09
Thu, Oct 22
Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: If you've stashed undeclared cash in an offshore account to try to avoid paying tax on it, there's a warning from the taxman that you can run but you can't hide. The unions behind the postal strike launch an attack on the Business Secretary Peter Mandelson. We also look at research which warns that local councils in hard hit areas need to brace themselves for the aftershock of the recession. Finally, an...
Money: Atol - 31st March 09
Competition laws are threatening the survival of local newspapers. A new auction company causes a stir with shocking charges. We also discuss offshore financial centres and applications for Atol licences.
Money: Retail Rents - 25th Mar 09
More pain on the High Street as quarterly rents are due could this be the tipping point for some retailers? With just a week left to take advantage of this year's ISA allowance we take a look if it's still worth having one.
Money: Airline Industry - 25th Feb 09
Britain's airport operator BAA unveils its full year results today. Will there be an announcement on the sale of Stansted? We take a look at how responsible the FSA are for the banking crisis. We hear from a former chief executive who says he warned them of the dangers.