http://feeds.itn.co.uk/itnwebsite/business.rssITN Businessen-gbCopyright: (C) Independent Television NewsWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:59:24 GMTWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:59:24 GMT30http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htmRoyal Bank of Scotland's chief executive has admitted he had "underestimated" the uproar his £1 million bonus would cause.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/business/37979/RBS+chief+waives+14m+shares+bonus'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href=''>Stephen Hester drops £1m RBS bonus: Ed Miliband reacts</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/37892/Bonus+for+RBS+boss+causes+outrage'>Bonus for RBS boss causes outrage</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/business/37025/Barclays+boss+27may+get+10+million+bonus27'>Barclays boss 'could get £10 million bonus'</a></li><li><a href=''>Cameron: 'It would be too costly to replace RBS board'</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381460CCriticism0Kof0KGoodwin0Ktreatment/story01.htm'>Criticism of Goodwin treatment</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C38220A0CFacebook0Kin0Kmassive0Kstock0Kflotation/story01.htm'>Facebook in massive stock flotation</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C3840A10CTory0KMPs0Krebel0Kover0Kwind0Kfarms/story01.htm'>Tory MPs rebel over wind farms</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384750CNetwork0KRail0Kbosses0Kforego0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Network Rail bosses forego bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384910CLabour0Kurges0Kaction0Kon0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Labour urges more action on bonuses</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Stephen+Hester+%27underestimated%27+bonus+furore&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38578%2FRBS%2Bboss%2B27underestimated27%2Bbonus%2Bfurore" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Stephen+Hester+%27underestimated%27+bonus+furore&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38578%2FRBS%2Bboss%2B27underestimated27%2Bbonus%2Bfurore" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126177998107/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c7c92ff/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126177998107/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c7c92ff/a2.img" border="0"/></a>RBSbonuschief executiveStephen HesterbonusesRoyal Bank of ScotlandWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:54:53 GMT2c6aca128600432f90b2da0420a32521BusinessRoyal Bank of Scotland, RBS, Stephen Hester, bonuses, chief executive, bonusRoyal Bank of Scotland's chief executive has admitted he had "underestimated" the uproar his £1 million bonus would cause. Stephen Hester, who heads up the 83 per cent state-owned bank, disclosed that he had considered resigning amid the political storm, but also revealed he felt responsible for defusing the "timebomb" of the bank's balance sheet. "In the end, I came to the conclusion that it would be indulgent for me to resign," he told journalists. Mr Hester said he decided to waive the bonus - to be paid in bank shares - because of the damage the row was doing to the bank. "I took the judgment that it was going to be damaging for RBS to stay in the intensity of the spotlight that we had got into," he said. While he said he had "great sympathy and understanding" for people concerned about the high rewards in the banking industry, he explained it was essential that RBS was able to recruit the best people to resolve the problems it had inherited. "When I was asked to take on this job three years ago, I had to replace the whole senior management team of RBS," he said. "Those people are doing a good job. I think they deserve recognition. If they do a good job, it is our task to make sure that there is a connection between the job people are doing and how they get treated."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385240CLloyds0Kto0Kaxe0K10A0A0A0Kmore0Kjobs/story01.htmLloyds Banking Group is cutting almost 1,000 jobs.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd63aa8/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C370A250CBarclays0Kboss0K27may0Kget0K10A0Kmillion0Kbonus27/story01.htm'>Barclays boss 'could get £10 million bonus'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde5096/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371210CPast0KTimes0Kgoes0Kinto0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Past Times goes into administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371220CPeacock0KGroup0Kplans0Kfor0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Peacock Group plans for administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bec10b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C372290CGloomy0Koutlook0Kas0Kunemployment0Krises/story01.htm'>Gloomy outlook as unemployment increases again</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Lloyds+to+axe+1000+more+jobs&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38524%2FLloyds%2Bto%2Baxe%2B1000%2Bmore%2Bjobs" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Lloyds+to+axe+1000+more+jobs&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38524%2FLloyds%2Bto%2Baxe%2B1000%2Bmore%2Bjobs" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178232975/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c76c3fa/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178232975/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c76c3fa/a2.img" border="0"/></a>Bank of ScotlandAccordjobsLloydsLloyds Banking GroupHalifaxHbosTue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:39 GMT9e66c13543d7478da2d4338cfa804374BusinessLloyds, Lloyds Banking Group, Hbos, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Accord, jobsLloyds Banking Group is cutting almost 1,000 jobs. The Accord union says the company will close offices in Romford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Scunthorpe. More than 30,000 jobs have now been lost over the past three years at Lloyds, which is 40 per cent owned by the taxpayer. Accord general secretary Ged Nichols described the move as "devastating news" for employees and their communities. A statement from Lloyds read: "Where it is necessary for employees to leave the company, it will look to achieve this by offering voluntary redundancy. Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort. "In fact, during 2009, 2010 and 2011, slightly less than 50% of the role reductions made as part of integration have led to people leaving the group through redundancy. There are 990 role reductions from today's announcement."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74f5a3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3850A10CBP0Khikes0Kdividend0Kas0Kprofits0Krise/story01.htmBP has raised its payout for shareholders for the first time since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74f5a3/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=BP+hikes+dividend+as+profits+rise&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38501%2FBP%2Bhikes%2Bdividend%2Bas%2Bprofits%2Brise" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=BP+hikes+dividend+as+profits+rise&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38501%2FBP%2Bhikes%2Bdividend%2Bas%2Bprofits%2Brise" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178125914/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c74f5a3/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178125914/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c74f5a3/a2.img" border="0"/></a>oil spillBPGulf of Mexicooil giantgultfTue, 07 Feb 2012 09:18:57 GMT79aed793aa3e4b05b8c9327b9f4e0b81BusinessBP, Gulf of Mexico, gultf, oil spill, oil giantBP has raised its payout for shareholders for the first time since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The company insists it remains on the "right path" as it unveiled a 14 per cent increase in the dividend to 5.1p a share. The oil giant accounts for one pound in every six invested by pension schemes. The group, which is going on trial at the end of the month over the spill, has so far paid out £4.7 billion for individual, business and government claims. Chief executive Bob Dudley said: "As I have said before, we are prepared to settle if we can do so on fair and reasonable terms, but equally, if this is not possible, we are preparing vigorously for trial." BP has reported annual profits of £15.1 billion in 2011, compared with a loss of £3.1 billion the previous year. The company saw its quarterly profit jump to £4.8 billion from £3.3 billion in the previous quarter.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384910CLabour0Kurges0Kaction0Kon0Kbonuses/story01.htmLabour is to warn that bumper bonuses for bankers are damaging the economy and wider society.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>Stephen Hester drops £1m RBS bonus: Ed Miliband reacts</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd63aa8/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C370A250CBarclays0Kboss0K27may0Kget0K10A0Kmillion0Kbonus27/story01.htm'>Barclays boss 'could get £10 million bonus'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c38e737/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379920CCalls0Kto0Kcurb0Kexecutive0Kpay/story01.htm'>Calls to curb executive pay</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384750CNetwork0KRail0Kbosses0Kforego0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Network Rail bosses forego bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Labour+urges+more+action+on+bonuses&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38491%2FLabour%2Burges%2Baction%2Bon%2Bbonuses" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Labour+urges+more+action+on+bonuses&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38491%2FLabour%2Burges%2Baction%2Bon%2Bbonuses" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178123177/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c74447c/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/126178123177/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c74447c/a2.img" border="0"/></a>bankersNRChuka UmunnabonusUmunnaNetwork RailbanksTue, 07 Feb 2012 07:47:54 GMT797625f9cd364b829fb46a0a4c11d5efBusinessbonus, Network Rail, NR, bankers, banks, Chuka Umunna, UmunnaLabour is to warn that bumper bonuses for bankers are damaging the economy and wider society. The party will use an opposition day debate in the Commons to call for large payouts in banks bailed out by the taxpayer only to be allowed when they reflect "genuinely exceptional performance". Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna will call for a halt to what he describes as the "culture of excessive bonuses" and for greater responsibility in the City and beyond. He will argue that such lavish payouts have damaged Britain's economy and its society, as well as being bad for business. Labour are keen to continue to make the political running after Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Stephen Hester waived his bonus of almost £1 million following a threat by Ed Miliband to put it to a Commons vote. On Monday six senior executives at Network Rail (NR) followed suit and agreed to give up their bonuses in the face of a political storm. Chief executive Sir David Higgins announced the money will instead be paid into a safety improvement fund for railway level crossings. It comes a week after NR pleaded guilty to failings that led to the deaths of two schoolgirls hit by a train at a level crossing at Elsenham in Essex six years ago.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384750CNetwork0KRail0Kbosses0Kforego0Kbonuses/story01.htmThe boss of Network Rail and other directors have decided to give up their bonuses and allocate the money to safety improvements instead.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/37892/Bonus+for+RBS+boss+causes+outrage'>Bonus for RBS boss causes outrage</a></li><li><a href=''>Stephen Hester drops £1m RBS bonus: Ed Miliband reacts</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/business/38578/RBS+boss+27underestimated27+bonus+furore'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd63aa8/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C370A250CBarclays0Kboss0K27may0Kget0K10A0Kmillion0Kbonus27/story01.htm'>Barclays boss 'could get £10 million bonus'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c38e737/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379920CCalls0Kto0Kcurb0Kexecutive0Kpay/story01.htm'>Calls to curb executive pay</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384910CLabour0Kurges0Kaction0Kon0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Labour urges more action on bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Network+Rail+bosses+forego+bonuses&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38475%2FNetwork%2BRail%2Bbosses%2Bforego%2Bbonuses" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Network+Rail+bosses+forego+bonuses&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38475%2FNetwork%2BRail%2Bbosses%2Bforego%2Bbonuses" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996154778/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c7027ab/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996154778/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c7027ab/a2.img" border="0"/></a>NRTransport SecretaryJustine GreeningbonusNetworkTransport Secretary Justine GreeningbonusesMon, 06 Feb 2012 15:06:03 GMT70ee47b4f170496e9ea4347153f756c2BusinessNetwork, NR, bonus, bonuses, Transport Secretary Justine Greening, Transport Secretary, Justine GreeningThe chief executive and other directors of Network Rail (NR) have decided to give up their bonuses and allocate the money to safety improvements instead. They were under increasing pressure following the row over bonuses for banking and other bosses. The issue was due to be discussed on Friday at a meeting which Transport Secretary Justine Greening said that she would be attending to vote against any extra payments. NR chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said: "The issue of annual performance payments would only arise if Network Rail surpassed stretching performance thresholds and would only be decided in May after the end of the financial year." Chief executive Sir David Higgins said: "Even if this situation does arise this year, I and my directors decided last week that we would forego any entitlement and instead allocate the money to the safety improvement fund for level crossings. I can confirm that remains our intention." Downing Street said that Ms Greening would be putting forward proposals for reform of Network Rail's governance structures.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C3840A10CTory0KMPs0Krebel0Kover0Kwind0Kfarms/story01.htmMore than 100 Conservative MPs have written to Prime Minister David Cameron demanding a dramatic cut in subsidies for wind farms.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>David Cameron and Ed Miliband agree on Scotland at PMQs</a></li><li><a href=''>David Cameron defends European stance</a></li><li><a href=''>Ed Miliband mocks David Cameron over Europe</a></li><li><a href=''>David Cameron and Ed Miliband hurl insults at PMQs</a></li><li><a href=''>Labour leader Ed Miliband calls for 'fairness'</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd9e9c1/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C370A540CUK0K27back0Kin0Krecession27/story01.htm'>UK 'back in recession'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde5096/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371210CPast0KTimes0Kgoes0Kinto0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Past Times goes into administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371220CPeacock0KGroup0Kplans0Kfor0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Peacock Group plans for administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C38220A0CFacebook0Kin0Kmassive0Kstock0Kflotation/story01.htm'>Facebook in massive stock flotation</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Tory+MPs+rebel+over+wind+farms&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38401%2FTory%2BMPs%2Brebel%2Bover%2Bwind%2Bfarms" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Tory+MPs+rebel+over+wind+farms&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38401%2FTory%2BMPs%2Brebel%2Bover%2Bwind%2Bfarms" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996067141/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c6844b0/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996067141/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c6844b0/a2.img" border="0"/></a>energyoffshoreconservativewindfarmsturbinestoryonshorepolicySun, 05 Feb 2012 09:22:48 GMT796bcee4f3094f9da6de61dbdec6f577Businesswind, farms, turbines, tory, conservative, energy, policy, onshore, offshoreMore than 100 Conservative MPs have written to Prime Minister David Cameron demanding a dramatic cut in subsidies for wind farms, and more power to communities to stop them being built. Going against Government policy in what signals a major revolt, the group united with sceptics from across the political spectrum to demand an end to taxpayer funding of the farms. Organised by backbencher Chris Heaton-Harris, the letter's 101 Conservative signatories include senior figures such as David Davis, Bernard Jenkin and Nicholas Soames. The letter, which appeared in the Sunday Telegraph, read: "In these financially straitened times, we think it is unwise to make consumers pay, through taxpayer subsidy, for inefficient and intermittent energy production that typifies onshore wind turbines." Although state funding for the sector is slowly being diminished, demands for a swifter end to the subsidies will be a headache for new Energy Secretary Ed Davey - promoted to the job after Chris Huhne's resignation. Wind, both onshore and offshore, has been a key part of the green energy "revolution", but critics say the turbines are a blight on the countryside, and could potentially present health problems.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c65170a/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C383790CWincanton0Kfuel0Kdrivers0Kstrike0Khalted/story01.htmA strike by fuel tanker drivers at Wincanton designed to cut off supply to Jet garages has been suspended to allow time for fresh talks.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c65170a/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Wincanton+fuel+drivers+strike+halted&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38379%2FWincanton%2Bfuel%2Bdrivers%2Bstrike%2Bhalted" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Wincanton+fuel+drivers+strike+halted&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38379%2FWincanton%2Bfuel%2Bdrivers%2Bstrike%2Bhalted" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996089471/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c65170a/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123996089471/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c65170a/a2.img" border="0"/></a>UnitestrikeJetWincantonDraperfuelConocoPhillipspetrolSat, 04 Feb 2012 11:40:10 GMTddb7a86313094ad2b7741bce55a0867bBusinessWincanton, Jet, ConocoPhillips, Unite, Draper, fuel, petrol, strikeA strike by fuel tanker drivers at Wincanton which had the potential to drive UK fuel prices up has been suspended to allow time for fresh talks. A two-week walkout began on February 3 in the latest round of a long-running row between the drivers and the fuel and logistics carrier over pay and conditions. The latest walkouts, which began just two days after a previous halt in supplies, will hit ConocoPhillips owned Jet garages. Unite official Matt Draper said: "The strike has been suspended today as an act of goodwill. "We are committed to finding a negotiated outcome in the days ahead. The ball is now in Wincanton and ConocoPhillips' court. "We hope further talks will succeed. As the previous seven days of strike action have shown our members are prepared to defend their livelihoods should these talks fail." On Friday, Mr Draper said the two firms generated huge profits, adding: "These companies have more than enough to pay decent pay and pensions, but their greed is destabilising the supply of a vital national resource." "The Wincanton drivers are in it for the long haul so our suggestion to ConocoPhillips and Wincanton is get your priorities right. Respect this workforce, respect the fuel supply, act responsibly and start talking about a fair solution," he added.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C38220A0CFacebook0Kin0Kmassive0Kstock0Kflotation/story01.htmFacebook could be heading for a record stock flotation after unveiling plans to sell shares to the public.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>Chris Huhne charged over speeding allegations</a></li><li><a href=''>Chris Huhne resigns over speeding allegations</a></li><li><a href=''>Facebook to make Bono richest rock star on the planet</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd9e9c1/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C370A540CUK0K27back0Kin0Krecession27/story01.htm'>UK 'back in recession'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde5096/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371210CPast0KTimes0Kgoes0Kinto0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Past Times goes into administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371220CPeacock0KGroup0Kplans0Kfor0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Peacock Group plans for administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C3840A10CTory0KMPs0Krebel0Kover0Kwind0Kfarms/story01.htm'>Tory MPs rebel over wind farms</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Facebook+in+massive+stock+flotation&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38220%2FFacebook%2Bin%2Bmassive%2Bstock%2Bflotation" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Facebook+in+massive+stock+flotation&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38220%2FFacebook%2Bin%2Bmassive%2Bstock%2Bflotation" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995956014/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c565c17/kg/268-306/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995956014/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c565c17/kg/268-306/a2.img" border="0"/></a>Securities and Exchange Commissionfacebookrecord stock flotationsocial networkMark Zuckerbergpublicfloatsocial mediainitial public offeringIPOsell sharesflotationwebsitefive billion dollarsto the publicshare pricesThu, 02 Feb 2012 07:52:44 GMT68945b6f78224022bcdd85b61699a88eBusinesssell shares, public, to the public, facebook, five billion dollars, record stock flotation, Mark Zuckerberg, IPO, initial public offering, share prices, website, social media, social network, Securities and Exchange Commission, share prices, flotation, floatFacebook could be heading for a record stock flotation after unveiling plans to sell shares to the public, with the site hoping to raise five billion US dollars. In what is expected to be the biggest initial public offering (IPO) from an internet company, it would be the highest figure since Google Inc raised $1.9bn in 2004. Eight years after its inception, the company now has 845 million monthly users worldwide and last year made a profit of one billion dollars. Registration documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also revealed that 27-year-old founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg owns 28.4 per cent of Facebook. The documents make clear that he will retain majority control of the business after the flotation and will be paid a reduced salary of one dollar from January 2013. In a personal letter, Mr Zuckerberg stressed that the site's "social mission" was to "make the world more open and connected". He added: "We're going public for our employees and our investors. We made a commitment to them when we gave them equity that we'd work hard to make it worth a lot and make it liquid, and this IPO is fulfilling our commitment." The filing with the SEC highlights Facebook's meteoric growth since it was first dreamed up in a Harvard University bedroom in 2004.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381460CCriticism0Kof0KGoodwin0Ktreatment/story01.htmFormer Chancellor Alistair Darling has criticised the way Fred Goodwin has been stripped of his knighthood.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>Chancellor: 'Appropriate that Fred Goodwin lost knighthood'</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/business/36819/RBS+to+cut+3,500+jobs'>RBS to cut 3,500 jobs</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/37892/Bonus+for+RBS+boss+causes+outrage'>Bonus for RBS boss causes outrage</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/38190/Cameron+27told+off27+in+Commons+over+hypocrisy+jibe'>Cameron 'told off' in Commons over hypocrisy jibe</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bdcb084/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C370A890CPeacocks0Kgets0Kcloser0Kto0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Peacocks gets closer to administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C380A160CRBS0Kboss0Kto0Kwaive0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS boss to waive bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381320CSir0KFred27s0Kknighthood0Kcancelled/story01.htm'>Sir Fred's knighthood cancelled</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Criticism+of+Goodwin+treatment&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38146%2FCriticism%2Bof%2BGoodwin%2Btreatment" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Criticism+of+Goodwin+treatment&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38146%2FCriticism%2Bof%2BGoodwin%2Btreatment" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995909401/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4f08d3/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995909401/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4f08d3/a2.img" border="0"/></a>Sir FredGoodwinRBSFred GoodwinknighthoodRoyal Bank of ScotlandWed, 01 Feb 2012 07:47:56 GMT3d90ebb6a4c349f89aebf528c4ce519eBusinessRBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Goodwin, Sir Fred, Fred Goodwin, knighthoodFormer Chancellor Alistair Darling has criticised the way Fred Goodwin has been stripped of his knighthood. The Queen "cancelled and annulled" the honour after a key committee found the ex-Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) boss had brought the honours system into "disrepute". Politicians from all sides backed the move, which puts Mr Goodwin in the same bracket as Soviet spy Anthony Blunt and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Honours are usually only removed from individuals who have been convicted and jailed. David Cameron insisted it was the "right decision", with Chancellor George Osborne claiming that Mr Goodwin represented "everything that went wrong in the British economy over the last decade". For Labour leader Ed Miliband, the punishment was "only the start of the change we need" in boardrooms. But Mr Darling voiced distaste at the way Mr Goodwin had been singled out, while other senior figures escaped punishment. Writing in The Times, Mr Darling insisted: "There is something tawdry about the Government directing its fire at Fred Goodwin alone; if it's right to annul his knighthood, what about the honours of others who were involved in RBS and HBoS?" Mr Goodwin received his knighthood for services to banking, before guiding RBS to the brink of collapse in 2008.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381320CSir0KFred27s0Kknighthood0Kcancelled/story01.htmFormer RBS chief executive Fred Goodwin has had his knighthood cancelled and annulled.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>David Cameron calls for popular capitalism</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/37369/Cameron+calls+for+popular+capitalism'>David Cameron calls for popular capitalism</a></li><li><a href=''>UK GDP falls in 2011</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/uk/37724/UK+heading+back+into+recession'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href=''>Stephen Hester drops £1m RBS bonus: Ed Miliband reacts</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C380A160CRBS0Kboss0Kto0Kwaive0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS boss to waive bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381460CCriticism0Kof0KGoodwin0Ktreatment/story01.htm'>Criticism of Goodwin treatment</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Sir+Fred%27s+knighthood+cancelled&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38132%2FSir%2BFred27s%2Bknighthood%2Bcancelled" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Sir+Fred%27s+knighthood+cancelled&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38132%2FSir%2BFred27s%2Bknighthood%2Bcancelled" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995885543/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4c63e3/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995885543/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4c63e3/a2.img" border="0"/></a>royal bank of soctlandcabinet officehonoursgovernmentrbsbankingbanksir fred goodwinTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:46:29 GMTce98fea325c5472f88380a45910b6702Businessrbs, royal bank of soctland, bank, banking, sir fred goodwin, government, honours, cabinet officeFormer RBS chief executive Fred Goodwin has had his knighthood cancelled and annulled. Prime Minister David Cameron has said it was the "right decision", while Chancellor George Osborne insisted Mr Goodwin represented "everything that went wrong in the British economy over the last decade". The Cabinet Office said the knighthood had been removed following advice from the Forfeiture Committee which said Mr Goodwin had brought the honours system "into disrepute". It said his record as chief executive of RBS, which had to be bailed out by taxpayers in 2008, meant it was "an exceptional case". "In 2008 the Government had to provide £20bn of new equity to recapitalise RBS and ensure its survival and prevent the collapse of confidence in the British banking and payments system. Subsequent increases in Government capital have brought the total necessary injection of taxpayers' money in RBS to £45.5bn," the Cabinet Office said in a statement. It continued: "The failure of RBS played an important role in the financial crisis of 2008-9 which, together with other macroeconomic factors, triggered the worst recession in the UK since the Second World War and imposed significant direct costs on British taxpayers and businesses. "In reaching this decision, it was recognised that widespread concern about Fred Goodwin's decisions meant that the retention of a Knighthood for 'services to banking' could not be sustained." The Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed the decision. The Unite union say the gesture has been well received by workers who lost their jobs under Fred Goodwin's rule.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4269d5/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C380A340CTowie0Kgive0Khighstreet0Kmuch0Eneeded0Kboost/story01.htmThe Only Way Is Essex is apparently providing a much-needed £1.4bn boost for the British economy.<div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href=''>US Only Fools And Horses - Arg and Lydia 'on the rocks' - Alesha Dixon 'fuming'l</a></li><li><a href=''>TOWIE star suffocated by relationship</a></li><li><a href=''>Towie's Sam Faiers' boyfriend 'to join the show'</a></li><li><a href=''>TOWIE: Sam, Billie and Lydia chat sexy exercise DVD</a></li><li><a href='http://www.itn.co.uk/entertainment/36450/The+Only+Way+Is+Essex+stars+release+fitness+DVD'>The Only Way Is Essex stars release fitness DVD</a></li></ul><img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4269d5/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Essex+glitz+gives+highstreet+much-needed+boost&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38034%2FTowie%2Bgive%2Bhighstreet%2Bmuch-needed%2Bboost" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Essex+glitz+gives+highstreet+much-needed+boost&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38034%2FTowie%2Bgive%2Bhighstreet%2Bmuch-needed%2Bboost" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995833561/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4269d5/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995833561/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c4269d5/a2.img" border="0"/></a>james argentthe only way is essexarglauren popelydia brightmark wrightmariolucytowieTue, 31 Jan 2012 15:49:00 GMT954e426c018344da9855916e40c10951Businessthe only way is essex, towie, mark wright, lauren pope, james argent, arg, lydia bright, lucy, marioThe Only Way Is Essex is apparently providing a much-needed £1.4 billion boost for the British economy. Fans of the show are spending lots of hard-earned cash trying to look "reem". The sales boost is being driven by people aged between 18-24 buying things like vajazzles, beauty products like false eyelashes and fake tan. According to reports, there has even been an increase in the amount of people undergoing cosmetic surgery. TOWIE is now having more of an impact on the highstreet than Kate Middleton. It's thought that is because men are buying into the Essex trend as well, purchasing expensive watches like the ones worn by Mark Wright and James Argent.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C380A160CRBS0Kboss0Kto0Kwaive0Kbonus/story01.htmThe chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland has bowed to intense pressure and agreed to forgo his near £1 million bonus.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c38e737/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379920CCalls0Kto0Kcurb0Kexecutive0Kpay/story01.htm'>Calls to curb executive pay</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381320CSir0KFred27s0Kknighthood0Kcancelled/story01.htm'>Sir Fred's knighthood cancelled</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381460CCriticism0Kof0KGoodwin0Ktreatment/story01.htm'>Criticism of Goodwin treatment</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=RBS+boss+to+waive+bonus&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38016%2FRBS%2Bboss%2Bto%2Bwaive%2Bbonus" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=RBS+boss+to+waive+bonus&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F38016%2FRBS%2Bboss%2Bto%2Bwaive%2Bbonus" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995869351/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c3ef609/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995869351/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c3ef609/a2.img" border="0"/></a>RBSHesterbankingPhilip HamptonHamptonbankStephen HesterRoyal Bank of ScotlandMon, 30 Jan 2012 12:12:49 GMT2d91f1adf4344b67a747498a5e724d96Businessbank, banking, RBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Stephen Hester, Hester, Philip Hampton, HamptonThe chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland has bowed to intense pressure and agreed to forgo his near £1 million bonus. RBS has confirmed that Stephen Hester will give up the 3.6 million share package, worth £963,000, that he was awarded last week. The Government has been embarassed by the issue with Labour highlighting David Cameron's pledges to clamp down on executive pay and London mayor Boris Johnson saying it was "absolutely bewildering" that a state-backed bank should pay out so much. Chancellor George Osborne said: "This is a sensible and welcome decision that enables Stephen Hester to focus on the very important job he has got to do, namely to get back billions of pounds of taxpayers' money that was put into RBS." Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mr Hester "has done the right thing". "It is a shame that a feeble, out of touch David Cameron did not realise he should do the right thing and stand up for the interests of the British people." Mr Hester's climbdown follows the announcement by RBS's chairman Sir Philip Hampton on Saturday that he would waive his payout. He is believed to have told the bank's remuneration committee that it would "not be appropriate" for him to take the £1.4 million bonus of 5.17 million shares. Mr Hester is still set to be entitled to another shares bonus that could potentially reach £6.4 million.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3aa40f/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C380A0A70CMichelle0KMone0Kthreatens0Kto0Kleave0KScotland/story01.htmScottish entrepreneur Michelle Mone has threatened to move to England if the country votes to leave the union.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3aa40f/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1b659963/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C360A130CBarratts0Kcollapse0Kcosts0K10H60A0A0Kjobs/story01.htm'>Barratts collapse costs 1,600 jobs</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1ba81818/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C36610A0CSeaFrance0Kcollapses/story01.htm'>SeaFrance collapses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd9e9c1/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C370A540CUK0K27back0Kin0Krecession27/story01.htm'>UK 'back in recession'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Michelle+Mone+threatens+to+leave+Scotland&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38007%2FMichelle%2BMone%2Bthreatens%2Bto%2Bleave%2BScotland" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Michelle+Mone+threatens+to+leave+Scotland&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F38007%2FMichelle%2BMone%2Bthreatens%2Bto%2Bleave%2BScotland" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995793985/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c3aa40f/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995793985/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c3aa40f/a2.img" border="0"/></a>independenceMJM InternationalleaveScotlandUltimoUKreferendumMichelle MoneEnglandbusinessScottish entrepreneurSun, 29 Jan 2012 14:16:24 GMT552ede773ec44d62849507df2f380b7cBusinessScottish entrepreneur, Michelle Mone, MJM International, Ultimo, UK, England, referendum, Scotland, independence, leave, businessScottish entrepreneur Michelle Mone has threatened to move to England if the country votes to leave the union. Ms Mone said she would move to London with her business in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. "I will move my business and I will move personally," she said. "I don't think we can survive on our own and I think it would be really bad for business. "Everything would go up and I really don't think we need it at the moment." The Glasweigan is the co-owner of MJM International and creator of lingerie brand Ultimo. She was awarded an OBE in 2010 and ranks among the UK's most successful businesswomen.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c38e737/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379920CCalls0Kto0Kcurb0Kexecutive0Kpay/story01.htmExecutive pay has come under fresh attack after a new poll showed few people believed top bosses should earn more than £1 million a year.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c38e737/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS chief waives £1.4 million shares bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C380A160CRBS0Kboss0Kto0Kwaive0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS boss to waive bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384750CNetwork0KRail0Kbosses0Kforego0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Network Rail bosses forego bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384910CLabour0Kurges0Kaction0Kon0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Labour urges more action on bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Calls+to+curb+executive+pay&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37992%2FCalls%2Bto%2Bcurb%2Bexecutive%2Bpay" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Calls+to+curb+executive+pay&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37992%2FCalls%2Bto%2Bcurb%2Bexecutive%2Bpay" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995790328/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c38e737/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995790328/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c38e737/a2.img" border="0"/></a>high paycurb paybonus culturetop bossesHigh Pay Centreexecutive payStephen HesterbonusesbanksSun, 29 Jan 2012 07:50:49 GMT07423d30a8b94d509548664f09cfc251Businessexecutive pay, bonuses, curb pay, Stephen Hester, High Pay Centre, banks, high pay, top bosses, bonus cultureExecutive pay has come under fresh attack after a new poll showed few people believed top bosses should earn more than £1 million a year. A survey of over 2,000 adults by the High Pay Centre research group found that two-thirds wanted to rein in "crony capitalism" and almost as many did not believe that top pay rates were set in a transparent way. Just seven per cent of those questioned supported £1 million salaries for chief executives of firms in the Ftse 100, while a mere one per cent thought senior bosses were worth the four million pounds currently earned by those at the top end of business. Deborah Hargreaves, director of the High Pay Centre, said: "Top executive pay and the behaviour of business are issues at the heart of the current public debate about how we rebuild our economy. "Our polling shows the public do not believe executives, even of the biggest companies, should be awarded multimillion-pound pay packages. It is time for boardrooms to wake up to what is fair and act now to rebuild public trust." The findings come as the chief executive of the taxpayer-funded Royal Bank of Scotland was facing mounting pressure to follow the bank's chairman and waive his bonus of almost £1 million. News of a double bonus scheme that could greatly inflate Stephen Hester's £1.2 million annual salary to a possible £8 million over the coming years has fuelled calls for him to forgo a shares bonus worth £963,000.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C379790CRBS0Kchief0Kwaives0K14m0Kshares0Kbonus/story01.htmThe chairman of the taxpayer-funded Royal Bank of Scotland will not receive a shares bonus worth £1.4 million.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c35ef28/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381320CSir0KFred27s0Kknighthood0Kcancelled/story01.htm'>Sir Fred's knighthood cancelled</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4f08d3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381460CCriticism0Kof0KGoodwin0Ktreatment/story01.htm'>Criticism of Goodwin treatment</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7027ab/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384750CNetwork0KRail0Kbosses0Kforego0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Network Rail bosses forego bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c74447c/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C384910CLabour0Kurges0Kaction0Kon0Kbonuses/story01.htm'>Labour urges more action on bonuses</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=RBS+chief+waives+%C2%A31.4+million+shares+bonus&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37979%2FRBS%2Bchief%2Bwaives%2B14m%2Bshares%2Bbonus" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=RBS+chief+waives+%C2%A31.4+million+shares+bonus&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37979%2FRBS%2Bchief%2Bwaives%2B14m%2Bshares%2Bbonus" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995774865/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c35ef28/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995774865/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c35ef28/a2.img" border="0"/></a>chairmanwaivesRBSbail outbonuschief executiveSir Philip Hamptontaxpayer-fundedStephen HestersharesRoyal Bank of ScotlandSat, 28 Jan 2012 16:19:55 GMT4d049c6141ff4483aeb74f4f16c67d04BusinessRoyal Bank of Scotland, RBS, waives, bonus, Sir Philip Hampton, Stephen Hester, chairman, chief executive, shares, taxpayer-funded, bail outThe chairman of the taxpayer-funded Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will not receive a shares bonus worth £1.4 million, the bank have announced. Sir Philip Hampton's decision comes days after RBS chief executive Stephen Hester came under fire over the £963,000 bonus he has been awarded. An RBS spokesman said: "Sir Philip Hampton will not receive the 5.17 million shares he was awarded in 2009 when he joined RBS." Sir Philip is thought to have told the bank's remuneration committee it would not be appropriate for him to take the shares and his decision is likely to pile more pressure on Mr Hester, who is facing calls from unions, politicians and the public to turn down his reward. Chancellor George Osborne acknowledged on Saturday that RBS bonuses are unpalatable, but losing Sir Philip Hampton and Stephen Hester would have been worse for Britain. "When it comes to the banks where we have a sharehold in them, like the Royal Bank of Scotland, we run these at arm's length ... I think the alternatives to this bonus that Stephen Hester got would have been worse for the British taxpayer. "Because either the bonus would have been bigger, or the British Government would have had to step in and run RBS on a day-to-day basis that would have been worse for taxpayers, worse for the British economy and worse for those businesses that rely on RBS for their loans."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c27a697/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3780A80CNot0Kall0Kdouble0Kdips0Kare0Kbad/story01.htmAs a double-dip recession looms, we look at better things that come in twos.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c27a697/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bae3317/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C366430CStrong0KDecember0Kfor0Kretailers/story01.htm'>Early sales result in strong December for retail</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd9e9c1/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C370A540CUK0K27back0Kin0Krecession27/story01.htm'>UK 'back in recession'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bec10b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C372290CGloomy0Koutlook0Kas0Kunemployment0Krises/story01.htm'>Gloomy outlook as unemployment increases again</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c08795e/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3750A20CProfit0Kwarning0Krise0Kat0K10A0Eyear0Ehigh/story01.htm'>Profit warning rise at 10-year-high</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Not+all+double+dips+are+bad&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37808%2FNot%2Ball%2Bdouble%2Bdips%2Bare%2Bbad" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Not+all+double+dips+are+bad&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37808%2FNot%2Ball%2Bdouble%2Bdips%2Bare%2Bbad" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995756476/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c27a697/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995756476/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c27a697/a2.img" border="0"/></a>economytennisrecessionfinancerollercoasterfunnyJedwardturtle.chocolatebusdouble dipThu, 26 Jan 2012 13:33:43 GMT289207bcdd09418a85b17f74f2af608bBusinessrecession, double dip, economy, finance, Jedward, bus, chocolate, tennis, rollercoaster, funny, turtle.As economists talk up fears of a double-dip recession, it is important to remember that not everything in the world is turning sour. From double decker buses to doubles tennis, there are plenty of things that are probably better in twos. With that in mind, ITN has taken a lighter hearted look at things which, unlike a recession, are best kept together.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htmBritain is facing a return to recession after figures showed the economy shrank by more than expected at the end of last year.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c27a697/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3780A80CNot0Kall0Kdouble0Kdips0Kare0Kbad/story01.htm'>Not all double dips are bad</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3aa40f/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C380A0A70CMichelle0KMone0Kthreatens0Kto0Kleave0KScotland/story01.htm'>Michelle Mone threatens to leave Scotland</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c3ef609/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C380A160CRBS0Kboss0Kto0Kwaive0Kbonus/story01.htm'>RBS boss to waive bonus</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c4c63e3/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C381320CSir0KFred27s0Kknighthood0Kcancelled/story01.htm'>Sir Fred's knighthood cancelled</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385240CLloyds0Kto0Kaxe0K10A0A0A0Kmore0Kjobs/story01.htm'>Lloyds to axe 1000 more jobs</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=UK+heading+back+into+recession&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37724%2FUK%2Bheading%2Bback%2Binto%2Brecession" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=UK+heading+back+into+recession&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37724%2FUK%2Bheading%2Bback%2Binto%2Brecession" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995713457/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c1eb7a4/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995713457/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c1eb7a4/a2.img" border="0"/></a>contractionretailerseconomyfiscalrecessionjobsgovernmentretailgrice.financeshops. consumegrossgrowtheconomicscontractlossprofitjoeshoppersmoneyspendingproducestatisticsservicedomesticshoppingbanksectorforeconomicconstructofficegdponsconsumersenglandconstructioncutsproductnationalshopWed, 25 Jan 2012 11:06:15 GMT1f45e71a24bb40759bd16d37fe73d968Businessons, office, for, national, statistics, economy, gdp, gross, domestic, produce, product, joe, grice, finance, money, economic, economics, recession, growth, contract, contraction, loss, profit, government, spending, cuts, jobs, construct, construction, fiscal, bank, england, service, sector, retail, retailers, shop, shoppers, shopping, shops. consume, consumers, .Britain is facing a return to recession after figures showed the economy shrank by more than expected at the end of last year. The 0.2 per cent contraction between October and December, estimated by the Office for National Statistics, is likely to be followed by a further decline in the current quarter, economists warned. Despite the threat of recession - defined by two quarters in a row of GDP declines - Chancellor George Osborne insisted he will stick by the austerity measures which have been blamed for choking UK growth. He said: "Britain has substantial debts. If we don't deal with those debts, our problems will be worse." The fall - below City forecasts for a decline of 0.1 per cent - was driven by a 0.9 per cent contraction in manufacturing and a 4.1 per cent drop in electricity and gas production as the warm weather caused people to turn down heating. A small impact is also likely from the public sector strikes on November 30, when nearly a million working days were lost.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c08795e/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3750A20CProfit0Kwarning0Krise0Kat0K10A0Eyear0Ehigh/story01.htmProfit warnings by listed companies have seen the biggest quarterly rise for over a decade in the final quarter of 2011.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c08795e/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bae3317/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C366430CStrong0KDecember0Kfor0Kretailers/story01.htm'>Early sales result in strong December for retail</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bd9e9c1/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C370A540CUK0K27back0Kin0Krecession27/story01.htm'>UK 'back in recession'</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bec10b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C372290CGloomy0Koutlook0Kas0Kunemployment0Krises/story01.htm'>Gloomy outlook as unemployment increases again</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c27a697/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3780A80CNot0Kall0Kdouble0Kdips0Kare0Kbad/story01.htm'>Not all double dips are bad</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Profit+warning+rise+at+10-year-high&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37502%2FProfit%2Bwarning%2Brise%2Bat%2B10-year-high" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Profit+warning+rise+at+10-year-high&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37502%2FProfit%2Bwarning%2Brise%2Bat%2B10-year-high" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995546909/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c08795e/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995546909/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c08795e/a2.img" border="0"/></a>blacks leisurepremier foodsrecessionalan hudsonmothercareprofit warningmr kipling cakesfinancial crisisernst & young reportSun, 22 Jan 2012 10:46:04 GMTa1e30ee98fb74d6cb7071d8e6923f884Businessprofit warning, ernst & young report, mothercare, mr kipling cakes, premier foods, blacks leisure, recession, alan hudson, financial crisisProfit warnings by listed companies have seen the biggest quarterly rise for over a decade in the final quarter of 2011, according to a new report. Quoted companies announced they were lowering their expectations 88 times in the last months of 2011, compared with the 51 warnings which were issued in the previous three months. According to the research by accountants Ernst & Young, it is the biggest quarter-on-quarter jump since 2001 and pushed up the total number of profit warnings last year to 278. Warnings in the quarter from companies including retailer Mothercare, Mr Kipling cakes manufacturer Premier Foods and ailing Blacks Leisure pushed the proportion of listed companies who put out warnings in 2011 up to 14 per cent, the highest since the financial crisis first started in 2008. Alan Hudson, head of Ernst & Young's UK restructuring practice, said: "As evidenced by the sharp jump in the number of warnings, 2011 was a tough year for many companies and this year is likely to continue in the same vein, with the gap between the winners and losers widening."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c03e0f9/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C374770CWoolworths0Kstaff0Kwin0K678m0Kpayout/story01.htmFormer Woolworths employees have been awarded up to £67.8 million in compensation, as more than 24,000 workers get awarded 60 days' pay.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c03e0f9/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Woolworths+staff+win+%C2%A367.8m+payout&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37477%2FWoolworths%2Bstaff%2Bwin%2B678m%2Bpayout" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Woolworths+staff+win+%C2%A367.8m+payout&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37477%2FWoolworths%2Bstaff%2Bwin%2B678m%2Bpayout" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995579652/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c03e0f9/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995579652/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1c03e0f9/a2.img" border="0"/></a>usdawwoolworthswoolworths compensationredundancy payoutgovernment's redundancy payments officeSat, 21 Jan 2012 11:21:26 GMT6292e658b85b4bc6b53d4196cab500c1Businesswoolworths, woolworths compensation, redundancy payout, usdaw, government's redundancy payments officeFormer Woolworths employees have been awarded up to £67.8 million in compensation, as more than 24,000 workers get awarded 60 days' pay. The shopworkers union Usdaw said it won the compensation following an employment tribunal, where it claimed the administrators had failed in their legal duty to consult with the union before making redundancies. However, the compensation will not apply to 3,000 former employees who worked in smaller branches where fewer than 20 redundancies were made, the spokesman added. As the chain was in administration at the time of the redundancies, responsibility for the compensation payments rests with the taxpayer through the Government's Redundancy Payments Office. John Gorle, Usdaw national officer said: "While the award is never going to fully compensate people for losing their jobs, I'm sure our members will welcome the money and appreciate the effort Usdaw has made to secure the compensation for them. "Cases like this once again demonstrate the immense value of belonging to a trade union."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bfb68ce/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C373940CGoogle0Kresults0Kfall0Kshort/story01.htmGoogle's quarterly results fell short of expectations for the holiday season triggering a nine per cent slide in its shares.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bfb68ce/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Google+results+fall+short&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37394%2FGoogle%2Bresults%2Bfall%2Bshort" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Google+results+fall+short&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37394%2FGoogle%2Bresults%2Bfall%2Bshort" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995486145/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bfb68ce/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995486145/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bfb68ce/a2.img" border="0"/></a>online advertising ratesonline commercegoogle's quarterly resultsgoogle sharesgooglegoogle shares slideFri, 20 Jan 2012 08:10:22 GMTa029919889fc4b4bb3ee37229db558deBusinessgoogle, google shares, google shares slide, online advertising rates, online commerce, google's quarterly resultsGoogle's quarterly results fell short of expectations for the holiday season as declining search advertising rates contributed to a rare miss, triggering a nine per cent slide in its shares. The Internet search engine underperformed on both revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter, disappointing investors who had counted on record US online-commerce to prop up results. Several analysts zeroed in on an eight per cent drop in cost-per-click, or money paid by marketers to the company for search ads, versus analyst estimates of a slight increase. "The major question is: Is this a one-time thing or is this something that is going to continue because the nature of the business has changed," said Mayuresh Masurekar, an analyst at Colins Stewart. Google executives reeled off a number of figures during the conference call that highlighted the company's progress in newer businesses such as display advertising, mobile and social networking.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bec10b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C372290CGloomy0Koutlook0Kas0Kunemployment0Krises/story01.htmUnemployment increased by 118,000 between September and November 2011 to 2.68 million.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bec10b0/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371220CPeacock0KGroup0Kplans0Kfor0Kadministration/story01.htm'>Peacock Group plans for administration</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c08795e/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3750A20CProfit0Kwarning0Krise0Kat0K10A0Eyear0Ehigh/story01.htm'>Profit warning rise at 10-year-high</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c27a697/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C3780A80CNot0Kall0Kdouble0Kdips0Kare0Kbad/story01.htm'>Not all double dips are bad</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385240CLloyds0Kto0Kaxe0K10A0A0A0Kmore0Kjobs/story01.htm'>Lloyds to axe 1000 more jobs</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Gloomy+outlook+as+unemployment+increases+again&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37229%2FGloomy%2Boutlook%2Bas%2Bunemployment%2Brises" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Gloomy+outlook+as+unemployment+increases+again&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37229%2FGloomy%2Boutlook%2Bas%2Bunemployment%2Brises" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995457699/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bec10b0/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995457699/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bec10b0/a2.img" border="0"/></a>recessionjobsunemploymentfinanceworkTUCmoneymarketWed, 18 Jan 2012 11:41:29 GMTc6a1beaeeb6c4196b81212ffb08193f3Businessjobs, market, unemployment, TUC, work, money, finance, recessionUnemployment increased by 118,000 between September and November 2011 to 2.68 million, according to new figures. The Office for National Statistics said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month increased by 1,200 to 1.6 million. Meanwhile, average earnings increased by 1.9 per cent in the year to November, 0.2 per cent down on the previous month. Unions have blasted the figures and say ministers must do more to tackle the jobs crisis. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "These figures are even worse than the bleak economic forecasts predicted, with new records achieved for youth and female unemployment. "The fear is now that mass joblessness becomes a permanent scar on the UK - with unemployment rising by 1,300 a day towards the end of last year." "Ministers must start putting forward bold solutions to address this crisis, starting with a job guarantee for any young person out of work for six months," he added.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1beda245/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C371680CArmed0Kforces0Kannounce0Kredundancies/story01.htmUp to 2,900 members of the Army, 1,000 members of the Royal Air Force and 300 members of the Royal Navy will be made redundant.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1beda245/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Armed+forces+announce+redundancies&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37168%2FArmed%2Bforces%2Bannounce%2Bredundancies" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Armed+forces+announce+redundancies&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fuk%2F37168%2FArmed%2Bforces%2Bannounce%2Bredundancies" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div>royal navy job cutsphilip hammondjob cuts by modroyal air forcemod job lossesarmed forces redundanciesmodarmyministry of defenceTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:24:23 GMT1c10973d40cd43c69ba8476270262742Businessmod, ministry of defence, army, royal air force, armed forces redundancies, job cuts by mod, mod job losses, royal navy job cuts, philip hammondUp to 2,900 members of the Army, 1,000 members of the Royal Air Force and 300 members of the Royal Navy will be made redundant in the latest round of cuts, the Ministry of Defence have said. The job losses form the second part of the redundancy programme set out in the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), intended to help fill the £38 billion black hole in the defence budget. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond insisted the Government had "no choice" but to axe the posts, though he insisted the armed forces would remain "agile". He said: "Difficult decisions had to be taken in the SDSR to deal with the vast black hole in the MoD budget. "The size of the fiscal deficit we inherited left us no choice but to reduce the size of the armed forces - while reconfiguring them to ensure they remain agile, adaptable and effective. "As we continue with the redundancy process, we will ensure we retain the capabilities that our armed forces will require to meet the challenges of the future. "The redundancy programme will not impact adversely on the current operations in Afghanistan, where our armed forces continue to fight so bravely on this country's behalf."http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1be4ffec/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371670CInflation0Kfalls0Ksharply/story01.htmInflation has fallen steeply in December as fuel prices dropped and retailers discounted goods.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1be4ffec/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Inflation+falls+sharply&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37167%2FInflation%2Bfalls%2Bsharply" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Inflation+falls+sharply&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37167%2FInflation%2Bfalls%2Bsharply" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995368569/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1be4ffec/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995368569/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1be4ffec/a2.img" border="0"/></a>cost of livingconsumer price inflationinflationbank of englandinflation fallsinterest ratesTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:17:51 GMT119b92a501e44d658432e6b81b0234f4Businessinflation, inflation falls, cost of living, bank of england, interest rates, consumer price inflationInflation has fallen steeply in December as fuel prices dropped and retailers discounted goods, allowing the Bank of England more leeway to ease policy further. Consumer price inflation fell to 4.2 per cent in December from 4.8 percent in November, the Office for National Statistics said on Tuesday, showing the decline in inflation from its three-year peak of 5.2 per cent in September is gathering pace. It was the sharpest drop in the annual rate since April 2009, when the economy was deep in recession. Economist Nida Ali said: "We expect inflation to be back at the two per cent target by this autumn, and - while we're not convinced that it will fall back as far as the Bank of England forecasts - there should still be plenty of room to loosen monetary policy further in 2012. "This will also provide some welcome respite for hard-pressed families who have struggled with falling real wages for much of the past five years." Inflation is still well above the BoE's two per cent target, but the central bank forecasts that it will be below this by the end of 2012, as economic weakness weighs on prices and the effect of 2011's rises in sales tax and energy prices fade.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371220CPeacock0KGroup0Kplans0Kfor0Kadministration/story01.htmThousands of jobs are hanging in the balance as the owner of clothing chains Peacocks and Bonmarche said it plans to place both businesses into administration.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde57fb/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C38220A0CFacebook0Kin0Kmassive0Kstock0Kflotation/story01.htm'>Facebook in massive stock flotation</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C3840A10CTory0KMPs0Krebel0Kover0Kwind0Kfarms/story01.htm'>Tory MPs rebel over wind farms</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385240CLloyds0Kto0Kaxe0K10A0A0A0Kmore0Kjobs/story01.htm'>Lloyds to axe 1000 more jobs</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Peacock+Group+plans+for+administration&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37122%2FPeacock%2BGroup%2Bplans%2Bfor%2Badministration" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Peacock+Group+plans+for+administration&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37122%2FPeacock%2BGroup%2Bplans%2Bfor%2Badministration" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995342278/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bde57fb/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995342278/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bde57fb/a2.img" border="0"/></a>jobsbonmarchepeacocksadministrationMon, 16 Jan 2012 18:09:56 GMT9fdc234b749049e1b5c98329fb4f0140Businessjobs, peacocks, bonmarche, administrationThousands of jobs are hanging in the balance as the owner of clothing chains Peacocks and Bonmarche said it plans to place both businesses into administration. The Peacock Group employs 11,000 staff and said the decision was made after talks with lenders over the future of the group broke down. A potential buyer is being sought for the 394 Bonmarche stores but an administrator will be appointed in the meantime. Peacocks has been boosted by the success of a collaboration with the singer-turned-fashion designer Pearl Lowe. Like-for-like sales rose 17 per cent over the Christmas period and the company said it was benefiting from its ability to react quickly to fashion trends. The exact amount of the debt within the business remained unclear but £647 million of borrowings was reported to be within the business at the end of April 2010.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde5096/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C371210CPast0KTimes0Kgoes0Kinto0Kadministration/story01.htmGift retailer Past Times has fallen into administration and confirmed 507 staff were made redundant before the move.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1bde5096/mf.gif' border='0'/><div class='mf-related'><p>Related Stories</p><ul><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c1eb7a4/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C377240CUK0Kheading0Kback0Kinto0Krecession/story01.htm'>UK heading back into recession</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c565c17/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C38220A0CFacebook0Kin0Kmassive0Kstock0Kflotation/story01.htm'>Facebook in massive stock flotation</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c6844b0/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cuk0C3840A10CTory0KMPs0Krebel0Kover0Kwind0Kfarms/story01.htm'>Tory MPs rebel over wind farms</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c76c3fa/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385240CLloyds0Kto0Kaxe0K10A0A0A0Kmore0Kjobs/story01.htm'>Lloyds to axe 1000 more jobs</a></li><li><a href='http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32158/f/414209/s/1c7c92ff/l/0L0Sitn0O0Cbusiness0C385780CRBS0Kboss0K27underestimated270Kbonus0Kfurore/story01.htm'>Stephen Hester 'underestimated' bonus furore</a></li></ul></div><div class='mf-viral'><table border='0'><tr><td valign='middle'><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&title=Past+Times+goes+into+administration&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37121%2FPast%2BTimes%2Bgoes%2Binto%2Badministration" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" border="0" /></a></td><td valign='middle'><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Past+Times+goes+into+administration&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itn.co.uk%2Fbusiness%2F37121%2FPast%2BTimes%2Bgoes%2Binto%2Badministration" target="_blank"><img src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995341252/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bde5096/a2.htm"><img src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/123995341252/u/0/f/414209/c/32158/s/1bde5096/a2.img" border="0"/></a>jobsworkpast timesredundanciesjob cutsMon, 16 Jan 2012 17:54:21 GMT7426a5da804e4cdd9bbe4450ab5fe0c9Businessjobs, job cuts, past times, redundancies, workGift retailer Past Times has fallen into administration and confirmed 507 staff were made redundant before the move. The private equity-owned group, which shut 46 stores and 72 temporary stores last week, said KPMG had been appointed as administrator to the loss-making business following weak trade. There were an additional 67 job cuts comprising 30 from the Past Times head office in Witney, Oxfordshire, and 37 from its warehouse, leaving a central workforce of 31. The remaining business, comprising 51 stores and 500 employees is continuing to trade under the control of the administrators in the short term with an "orderly wind down" planned in the event a sale cannot be sealed. Past Times made the announcement as clothing retailer Peacocks revealed it planned to appoint administrators to the business, raising doubt over the future of 11,000 positions.