Thursday newspaper round-up: Bank of London, Telefonica, Boeing

(Sharecast News) - The post-pandemic shift to greater home working among highly skilled professionals has failed to level up Britain's economy and help struggling regions as many had predicted it would, according to academic research. Hybrid working - where workers split their time between the workplace and another remote location such as home - has surged since the height of the Covid pandemic, yet is mostly available to older, high-skilled professionals based in London and other major cities. - Guardian The Bank of London, the fledgling clearing bank formerly backed by Peter Mandelson, has revealed it is under investigation by UK regulators, with auditors saying the fallout could throw "significant doubt" over its ability to keep operating. The news is a fresh blow for the troubled fintech, which has lost its founder and leading board members, including Lord Mandelson and US private equity boss Harvey Schwartz, and halved its workforce since being thrust into the spotlight in September over an embarrassing winding-up petition by the UK tax authority over unpaid debts. - Guardian

Virgin Media O2's Spanish co-owner is said to be exploring a full takeover of the telecoms giant amid a shake-up triggered by Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez. Telefonica, which holds a 50pc stake in VMO2, is exploring plans for a deal that would allow it to buy out its US joint venture partner Liberty Global. - Telegraph

The future of the UK's competition watchdog is back in the spotlight after a report called for greater powers to tackle American technology companies while ministers doubled down on a contentious "reset" to force the regulator to "prioritise growth". The Institute for Public Policy Research said the Competition and Markets Authority needed to be tougher to prevent Apple and Google from "stifling UK businesses" due to their control of app stores. - The Times

Boeing has received its largest order for jets on record after Qatar Airways signed a deal on Wednesday to purchase up to 210 widebody aircraft from the American manufacturer during President Trump's visit to the Gulf nation. The deal for Boeing 777X and 787 planes with GE Aerospace engines was worth $96 billion, according to the White House, although it will be some years before the jets are delivered. - The Times