The End of Uncertainty Boosts The Economy

Keenly watched early indicator of UK economy suggests private activity turned around in January, after election/ political uncertainty ends: https://t.co/W0oDVwlScp

— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) January 24, 2020

France Bows To US Pressure

We now have a global agreement
- France accepts postponing payments of digital tax from April 15 to end of 2020
- US suspends sanctions 301
- agreed text for OECD negotiations, after withdrawing the words “optional taxation”

— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) January 23, 2020

Trump Arrives at Davos

Trump lands in #Davos . The Swiss town will see 1500 private jets descending on it in the next few days, adding 90 lakh kg of CO2 for a conference themed on climate change and sustainability. #irony pic.twitter.com/O0rifkG2ii

— Palki Sharma (@palkisu) January 21, 2020

Contrary to earlier rumours, Trump has gone to Davos.

H2S The Open Maw

With the price of HS2 rising to £106 billion, let’s recall how HS2 Ltd responded to the IEA’s 2013 estimate that it would rise from £42bn to £80bn (it had already risen from £30bn). https://t.co/6Wh8NpAC2u

— Christopher Snowdon (@cjsnowdon) January 20, 2020

Frech/USA Trade War Looms - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rodney!

FRENCH FM LE MAIRE SAYS IF THERE ARE U.S SANCTIONS AGAINST FRANCE OVER FRENCH DIGITAL TAX THE EU WILL RETALIATE

Follow the story live: https://t.co/m2JBwOmVug

— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) January 17, 2020

Flybe Bailed Out

Flybe has been saved from the brink of collapse by the government, with a deal that includes deferred tax payments of approximately £100M.

Aside from the fact that BA is not at all happy with the preferential treatment, I wonder if the same largesse shown to Flybe wrt tax will be shown by HMRC to SME's that are having trouble making ends meet?

No, thought not!

ONS Statistics Are Bollocks

UK economy: November growth -0.3%. 3 month rolling=0.1%.

November growth negative surprise, but fully offset by upward revision of 0.3% to Sept & Oct leaving UK on track for 2019Q4=0.0% growth.

As #Brexit uncertainty reduces UK growth will pick up in 2020 buy #GBPUSD below 1.3. https://t.co/Sw92GfG1Wb pic.twitter.com/tQhbL0hcen

— Dilip Shah (@DilipShah_) January 13, 2020

Don't rely on ONS statistics to make decisions, the figures are out of date and always being revised!

Investors Preparing To Sue Woodford

The Telegraph reports that almost 3,500 investors are preparing legal action in a battle to recover losses inflicted by the collapse of Neil Woodford’s investment empire.

The savers are weighing up possible claims against Woodford, his investment company, the supervisor of his funds and the platforms and advisers that recommended and marketed the discredited stock picker’s operation.

About 300,000 investors had their savings locked up when Woodford’s flagship Equity Income fund was suspended in June.

Carlos Ghosn The Great Escape - Coming To a Cinema Near You

News presenters climb into boxes for re-enactments. A video game is in the works. Japan is fixated with Carlos Ghosn. https://t.co/y7DuHPDPaJ

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 9, 2020

The Joy of Debt

World Bank with debt accumulation warning vol 35678890https://t.co/OtFi4tAaLa pic.twitter.com/hL6XrDNEC7

— Jonathan Ferro (@FerroTV) January 9, 2020

The World Bank debt warning is just as applicable to individuals, as it is to countries!

Woodford Profits From His Failure - Whilst His Investors Suffer

there are rewards for failure and there are epic rewards for epic failure

Neil Woodford and his business partner have taken £112m since 2014 from their company (including £13.8m last year) while 300,000 investors remain trapped in his Equity Income fund https://t.co/xyLG052c9s

— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) January 7, 2020

Andrew Bailey To Be Governor of The Bank of England

Delighted to announce Andrew Bailey as the next Governor of the Bank of England - he was the standout candidate.

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) December 20, 2019

NatWest Bank Error In My Favour

Well this is a first, a bank error in my favour.

Natwest have written to me telling me that they have identified errors on fx charges on some of my international transactions between March 2010 and May 2014.

I have received a refund of £86 including interest and net of tax.

Now here are three questions:

1 Why has it taken so long for this error to be identified and quantified?

2 How many other people have been affected, and at what cost to NatWest?

3 Have other banks also made erroneous/inaccurate fx charges?

Bank of England Audio Hacked and Sold To Hedge Funds

Hijacked Bank of England audio feed sold to hedge funds seconds ahead of broadcast - Sky News#CarneyOut https://t.co/Cj8EDJc5vj

— Purpleline (Boris Island) (@purpleline) December 19, 2019

Fucking shameful!

Advice To Hotpoint

Washing machines are meant to be wet, not on fire!

Oh and fix your website too!

We are sorry to say we are still experiencing technical issues with our registration website. We apologise sincerely for the inconvenience. While we continue to work with our third party provider to resolve the issue, you can call our customer service team on 0800 316 1442

— Hotpoint UK (@HotpointUK) December 18, 2019