PRESS DIGEST-British Business - Jan 20
Jan 20 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
The Times
Unilever PLC has said it will not raise its 50 billion pounds ($68.04 billion) offer for GlaxoSmithKline PLC's consumer business, effectively abandoning its pursuit of the deal after a backlash from shareholders. https://bit.ly/3fKVuTa
Business leaders have predicted a revival in city centre economies as workers return to the office after the government scrapped plan B restrictions in England. https://bit.ly/3nFfb3g
The Guardian
Britain's accounting watchdog fined KPMG 3 million pounds ($4.08 million) for failures during its audit of the Bargain Booze owner Conviviality and severely reprimanded in the latest blow to its reputation. https://bit.ly/3Ads1Lk
WH Smith has been hit by a massive shareholder rebellion, with more than half its investors failing to back payment of a bonus to the retailer's chief executive after it benefited from tens of millions of pounds in pandemic relief. https://bit.ly/3Afdmiu
The Telegraph
British Airways is cancelling flights to the U.S. over concerns signals from 5G mobile phone masts could endanger the lives of passengers. https://bit.ly/3nGAQIr
Britain will have to face a cost of living crisis until the end of next year, the Bank of England has warned, after inflation crashed through forecasts to its highest level in 30 years. https://bit.ly/3tPXUbo
Sky News
Tim Martin, chairman of British pub group JD Wetherspoon has criticised the government over conducting parties in Downing Street and confirms it will report a half-year loss after Plan B restrictions hit trading over the Christmas period. https://bit.ly/3fHfVk0
One of Britain's top financiers is to be handed a powerful new role by the BBC in an attempt to grow its commercial revenues amid the threat of a real-terms cut to its funding. https://bit.ly/3rBEeFs ($1 = 0.7349 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)
