Monday newspaper round-up: Manufacturing, BP, Sports Direct

15th Aug 2011 06:36

Sinking manufacturing confidence is driving a sharp slowdown in the labour market recovery and exacerbating the North-South divide over jobs, according to a new study which reveals more employers are set to cut headcount this year. The research from KPMG and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) undermines any hope that the private sector will be able to offset major job losses in the public sector and sparks serious questions for the Government over how it plans to rebalance the economy, says the Telegraph.BP and GDF Suez, the French utility, have separately put their interests in two gasfields in the North Sea on the block as the sell-off of mature assets in the region gathers pace. BP has put its 27.5% interest in Shearwater, a gas field, up for sale, according to people familiar with the situation. Bankers estimate the stake could be worth about $300m (£184m), the Financial Times reports.The collapse of an inquiry into collusion between sportswear stores has led to protests from Sports Direct that the Office of Fair Trading has squandered time, money and resources. The chain, which is controlled by Mike Ashley, the owner of Newcastle United, is privately claiming vindication after being told by the consumer watchdog that a two-year investigation is to be wound up without any action, the Times reports.Gaucho, the upmarket chain of steakhouses favoured by City workers, saw revenues across its restaurants rise a healthy 11.5% despite the consumer downturn. The company recorded sales of £50.6m in the year to the end of December 2010 as it continued its expansion, adding restaurants in the UK and Lebanon and taking its stable of sites to 16, the Telegraph reports.Another attempt to end the eurozone debt crisis and persuade the German chancellor Angela Merkel to accept eurozone bonds - pooling all the existing nations' national debts - will be made by President Sarkozy at a crisis summit on Tuesday. It comes against a backdrop of worried investors throughout the world despairing at the lack of political leadership being shown in the world's various sovereign debt crises, according to the Independent. The lack of confidence in international governments to address the issues underlying current economic turbulence is a "serious malaise", the chancellor George Osborne has claimed, according to the Guardian.George Osborne has confirmed that he wants to scrap the 50p top rate of tax because it is not raising much money. The Chancellor has branded the 50p rate 'uncompetitive' and said there was 'not much point' in having taxes that brought in little revenue, the Daily Mail reports.Growing numbers of people choosing to take their holidays in rural beauty spots have encouraged Travelodge to invest £135m in new hotels near Britain's national parks. The 475-strong budget hotel chain is looking to open in a further 37 locations close to the 15 national parks, the Daily Express reports.---RG