Monday newspaper round-up: Rich and clean, Lloyds, IPOs, retail
Britain has been the most successful of the G7 group of nations in boosting its economy and cutting climate emissions in the past 25 years, according to a report that suggests it is possible for countries to get richer and cleaner at the same time. The UK has cut its per capita carbon dioxide emissions by a greater percentage than any other member of the bloc in the quarter century since the first UN Earth Summit, when world leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro to agree global action to protect the planet, according to data from the International Energy Agency. - The Times
Businesses across the UK have warned that tighter immigration controls will weaken the nation’s global standing, describing suggestions that British workers could simply replace EU nationals as a “fallacy”. Industry groups representing hundreds of thousands of businesses have told the House of Lords economic affairs committee that restrictions on foreign staff in workplaces such as hospitals, universities and factories would hit business and the wider economy. - Telegraph
The NHS is in talks with hedge funds about borrowing up to £10 billion to repair hospitals and beef up GP care. Health chiefs believe that low interest rates mean the NHS has a “golden opportunity” to raise money for infrastructure without relying on the chancellor. - The Times
Lloyds would not have gone ahead with the disastrous deal to save HBOS if the failed bank’s managers had admitted what they knew about the huge fraud at its Reading branch, according to confidential documents. A report written by a senior Lloyds employee concluded that it was “highly probable” the acquisition would “not have proceeded” if what was known by HBOS executives about huge lending irregularities had been disclosed before a £4 billion rights issue in 2008. - The Times
London was the top choice for company flotations in the first quarter of the year, accounting for almost half of the total amount raised in European initial public offerings. Analysis of IPO data by PwC revealed the City was the most active market in Europe, with signs that it will retain the top spot despite worries about the impact Brexit talks will have. - Telegraph
When it comes to shopping, central London is still the leader in Europe with more store openings taking place than in any other city in the EU and double-digit rental growth last year. A new report shows that despite the shock of the Brexit vote in June demand from retailers, particularly overseas, to have a presence in the UK capital continued to grow, pushing up rental growth by 48 per cent overall last year. - The Times
Car manufacturers have hit back at the recent spate of negative comments about diesel vehicles, saying that the latest incarnations are “the cleanest in history” and “light years away from their older counterparts”. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said diesel cars could play an important role in helping improve air quality in towns and cities and in tackling climate change. - Guardian
Primark’s owner, Associated British Foods, has hired the headhunter Spencer Stuart to search for a chairman to replace Charles Sinclair. Mr Sinclair, 69, the former boss of Daily Mail & General Trust, has been chairman since 2008, a period of rapid growth for Primark. - The Times
Britain will be able to increase its exports to India by more than £2 billion per year after Brexit by cutting EU red tape, a new analysis has found. The UK currently faces significant tariffs on its trade with India because of the European Union's failure to agree a free trade deal. - Telegraph
One of Asia’s top hoteliers has accelerated plans to expand in the UK as a result of Brexit, it has said. Thai-based Minor International, which has 140 hotels largely in Asia, said the fall in the value of the pound had made the company more determined to find a site for its first UK hotel. - Telegraph
A spike in long-haul passengers to North America has helped Gatwick Airport smash a world record for passengers at a single-runway airport. The airport passed the 44m passengers a year mark last Saturday driven by demand long-haul routes, particularly transatlantic ones. - Telegraph
Passengers on British Airways long haul flights may one day have to buy their own food and drink, the airline’s boss has disclosed. Britain’s flag carrier may widen out its short flight policy of scrapping free food and instead offering passengers the option to buy Marks & Spencer sandwiches. - Telegraph
Virgin Atlantic Airways has suffered a dive in profits after the costs of leasing its aircraft fleet jumped. Pre-tax profits tumbled two thirds to £3.9m last year after finance costs rose to £19.4m at the airline, according to accounts filed at Companies House. - Telegraph
British travellers to the United States face the uncomfortable choice of handing over personal information, including social media passwords and mobile phone contacts, or running the risk of being denied entry to the country, under a new “extreme vetting” policy being considered by the Trump administration. Tourists from the UK and other US allies including Germany and France, could be forced to reveal personal data, as well as disclose financial information and face detailed ideological questioning. - Guardian
A British drone company has been backed by the government to become the world leader in detecting faults in the growing global solar-farm industry. Above Surveying has pioneered the use of drones and thermal imaging cameras to make it possible for the first time to examine 100,000-panel solar farms. - The Times