Bruce Billson embroiled in cabinet split over tougher competition laws
Small business minister trying to convince colleagues to change laws which Business Council of Australia says would raise prices and damage the economy The small business minister, Bruce Billson, is trying to convince cabinet he can change competition laws to stop big business “abusing” market power, while “appeasing” the powerful Business Council of Australia (BCA) […]
Oliver Bonas becomes first UK high street chain to pay living wage
Campaigners say pledge by retailer to pay at least £7.85 an hour is step toward ending high-street’s low-wage culture Campaigners against low pay are claiming a breakthrough victory as Oliver Bonas, the fashion and gift retailer, has become the first high street chain in Britain to promise its staff an independently calculated living wage. Employees […]
12 apps to get your startup off the ground
There are thousands of apps geared toward businesses and startups, but only a handful you should care about For startups, it’s a tough road to success: about 50% of small businesses fail in the first five years, and tech startups fail at a rate that’s estimated to be as high as 90%. But, for hopeful […]
Tesco rescue: has Dave Lewis's first year been a success?
Former marketing man took charge of supermarket with ‘urgent issues’ to address. We assess his performance On Dave Lewis’s first day in charge at Tesco he sent an email to the retailer’s 500,000 staff warning it had “urgent issues” to deal with. However, the supermarket boss could never have imagined the scale of the problems […]
Watchdog group calls for less processed meats in school cafeterias
• Report found the USDA paid more than $500m in 2013 to meat and dairy companies for school lunch products, including processed meats• Watchdog asked USDA to recommend less meat and more vegetables for schools A handful of American food and agriculture companies are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars by selling processed meats that […]
Stocks down as investors worry over China and prospects of US rate rise
Monday’s falls in US markets reflect similar declines around the world Fed vice-chairman suggested interest rate may rise sooner than expected Global stock markets dipped again on Monday as worries over China’s economy and the timing of the first increase in US interest rates in a decade rattled investors. US markets all opened down as […]
Pfizer resists calls for greater clincal trial transparency
US drug maker says disclosure of all historical trial data offers little value to patients, but critics say lack of information paints disorted picture of safety Pfizer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical groups, has said it will resist demands from investors and transparency campaigners calling for it to disclose results from all historical drug […]
Maersk Oil's Culzean gasfield given go-ahead
North Sea development expected to produce enough gas to meet 5% of the UK’s needs and create more than 400 jobs The biggest North Sea gasfield discovered in the past decade is to be developed, after energy authorities gave approval for a £3bn investment that could produce enough gas to meet 5% of the UK’s […]
Burma's minimum wage pledge welcomed by UK retailers
Fashion brands say move to pay workers £1.82 for an eight-hour day will help Burma’s garment industry become ‘thriving economic driver’ Major British clothing retailers using factories in Burma have welcomed the nascent democracy’s steps to regulate low pay. Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Primark, New Look and Topshop have joined international players including H&M, C&A, […]
Shares complete worst month since GFC as Australian growth is tipped to slow
The ASX200 fell 1% on Monday as investors worried about the US Fed raising interest rates, and falling corporate profits and economic growth at home The Australian share market capped its worst week since the global financial crisis by closing 1% lower as investors fretted over the possibility that the US Federal Reserve could soon […]