Law and business: commercial news round-up 25.02.16
updated on 25 February 2016
As you might expect, the potential Brexit has dominated news headlines following confirmation that there will be a referendum in June on whether Britain will be staying in the European Union. Implications for businesses of all sizes is one of the key features of the debate – here is just a small selection of this week’s Brexit (and other) stories:
- The pound fell sharply when the possible exit was confirmed, while investors were advised to prepare now for the eventuality by diversifying.
- A group of big UK businesses (including Vodafone and Marks & Spencer) put themselves firmly in the “remain” camp, stressing that to leave would be to risk jobs, while Merlin theme park chief said that fears were overblown.
- In other news, bank biometry is here: HSBC is planning to roll out touch/voice identification software to its customers, using “the most secure form of password technology – the body”.
- The North Sea oil industry has sent a cry for help to George Osborne, as it continues to suffer as a result of falling oil prices. It is asking for financial help in the upcoming budget.
- Long-time suitors the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and German company Deutsche Boerse may finally get it together, as they announced that they are in serious merger talks that would see LSE own 45.6% of the merged group.
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