As from 6 April 2010 GP’s will be required to issue a Statement of Fitness for Work as opposed to the traditional sick notes that have formerly been issued.
The aim is to focus on what the employee can still do in the workplace in an attempt to support them returning to work earlier. [...]

Posted: February 26th, 2010 under Employment/HR.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 lost 64.69 points to close at 5,278.22 yesterday. Miners were dragged lower by falling metal prices, while the broader market suffered on the back of the jobs data from the US. Xstrata and Rio Tinto both dropped more than 3%, weighing heavily on the index. British American Tobacco declined 2.3% after reporting net income that missed analysts’ estimates. This morning the index is 45.19 points higher at 5323.41. Serco leads the risers, jumping 6.8% while Lloyds is the biggest faller, down 1.8%, after both companies released their full year reports.

Posted: February 26th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 rose 27.83 points to close at 5,342.92 yesterday, with stocks buoyed by the comments from the Bernanke. Elsewhere, Carnival jumped more than 3% after the company said record bookings prompted one of its brands to raise prices by as much as 5%. This morning the blue chip index slips 7.29 points to 5,335.63. Stocks are kept in negative territory following the announcement by Moody’s. The ratings agency have said that unless Greece meets the objectives of its fiscal deficit reduction within months, it will cut its sovereign debt rating. If Moody’s cut its credit rating to the same level as the other major ratings companies, Greek government bonds would no longer be eligible as collateral at the European Central Bank, making it more difficult for the nation to borrow. Royal Bank of Scotland tops the risers after reporting a narrower than expected full year loss.

Posted: February 25th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - UK stocks closed lower on Tuesday, tracking early falls on Wall Street and pressured by weaker miners and energy issues as commodity prices fell with a firmer dollar after dull data. The FTSE100 closed 36.98 points lower at 5315.09. Miners retreated with metal prices as the dollar moved higher. Eurasian Natural Resources, Xstrata, Fresnillo, Lonmin and Antofagasta fell 2.8 to 3.8 percent. Energy stocks were also a drag on the index as crude fell to $79 a barrel. BG Group, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Cairn Energy and Tullow Oil fell 1 to 1.3 percent.

Posted: February 24th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 declined 6.1 points to close at 5,352.07 yesterday. GlaxoSmithKline was among the biggest weights on the index after a report raised concern the company may be vulnerable to lawsuits over its Avandia diabetes treatment and the US proposed raising fees for drug makers. Miners helped to limit declines after analysts forecast copper futures will advance to $8,000 a metric ton. The FTSE is 36.94 points higher at 5,389.01 this morning. Wolseley rallies to the top of the risers’ board, up almost 10%, after saying it will report trading profit for the fiscal year ahead of expectations.

Posted: February 23rd, 2010 under Asset Management.
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