Criminals made €8.6m of fake “Bin Laden” banknotes at the end of last year January 27, 2017 The European Central Bank (ECB) said it withdrew €8.6m worth of so-called "Bin Laden" banknotes in the final six months of last year. The notes, worth €500, are in the process of being phased out because of their association with money-laundering and terror – but they nevertheless made up just under five per cent of all [...]
Tesco unveils £3.7bn merger with Budgens and Londis owner Booker January 27, 2017 Supermarket Tesco has reached a deal to merge with wholesaler Booker, owner of Budgens and Londis, with both firms stating an ambition to create the UK's leading food company. The groups will combine in a share and cash deal worth £3.7bn, after discussing a combination for almost a year. They said today that there are [...]
Barclays is reportedly preparing to move its EU headquarters to Dublin January 26, 2017 Barclays is planning to move its EU headquarters to Dublin, according to sources. The bank is preparing for the relocation ahead of Brexit, Reuters reported. "We have made clear repeatedly that we will plan for a range of Brexit contingencies, including building greater capacity into our existing operations in Dublin," a spokesman for Barclays said. [...]
Article 50: MPs will get five days to debate Brexit bill January 26, 2017 Legislation granting Prime Minister Theresa May power to launch Brexit talks has been formally unveiled today. House of Commons leader David Lidington said MPs will have five days to debate Article 50, starting from next Tuesday. It means that the House of Commons will vote on the legislation on 8 February. MPs challenged the amount of [...]
Barnet is the London borough with the biggest risk of burglary January 26, 2017 Barnet is the London borough where the risk of burglary is highest, according to new research. And the north London borough is also the area where residents pay the highest price for burglaries – at a whopping £7.6m per year overall. Approved Index calculated the cost of burglaries based on insurance costs, and by using the [...]
Royal Bank of Scotland has set aside another £3.1bn for US settlements January 26, 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland today confirmed that it has set aside a further £3.1bn to pay fines relating to the issuing and underwriting of US residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). However, shares in the group were up almost two per cent in early trading. The bank said this takes the total sum it has provided for [...]
Disruption to train services due to derailment at Lewisham will continue until the end of the week January 26, 2017 Disruption to Southeastern train services will continue until the end of the week, the rail network confirmed today. Services have been subject to cancellations and delays since early Tuesday morning, when a freight train derailed at Lewisham. Southeastern said this morning that train services running through Lewisham station may be cancelled, delayed or revised, with disruption expected [...]
Sky announces 12 per cent increase in revenue as it reveals plans to introduce satellite dish-free service in UK January 26, 2017 Sky today reported a jump in revenue in the six months ended 31 December, but said costs linked with the Premier League had hit profits during the period. The figures Revenue was up 12 per cent to £6.4bn from £6.04bn in the second half of 2015. Operating profit dropped by nine per cent to £679m from [...]
City of London grants planning permission for new City skyscraper, 1 Leadenhall January 25, 2017 Another skyscraper has moved one step closer to becoming part of the capital's skyline, after the City of London's planning and transport committee granted planning permission this morning. The committee approved a resolution to grant permission for 1 Leadenhall, which is set to tower over Leadenhall Market. The resolution was approved following a consultation with the [...]
Victoria station evacuated and closed due to a fire alert January 25, 2017 Victoria station has reopened after being closed due to a fire alert. London Fire Brigade was called at around 11.11AM after reports that smoke had been smelled at the station and three fire engines were dispatched to the scene. The station was evacuated but has since been reopened, with trains stopping as normal. https://twitter.com/victorialine/status/824211454224199680 https://twitter.com/victorialine/status/824225348200054787 [...]