Thursday newspaper round-up: Philip Green, EasyJet, Mothercare, Randgold/Barrick

New home registrations in Britain have reached their highest level in more than a decade, boosted by a number of large developments in London, according to an industry body. But the National House Building Council (NHBC), which released the figures, also warned of caution in the industry until the economic impact of Brexit becomes clearer. – Guardian

A former senior executive at Sir Philip Green’s retail empire has described the tycoon as a “bully”, in the wake of claims about his behaviour towards staff. Jane Shepherdson, the former brand director at Topshop, alleged that Green’s behaviour in the workplace was “worse than most” and that bullying still took place in the company. “There’s no question he was a bully, everyone knows he was a bully,” Shepherdson said. – Guardian

EasyJet has submitted a revised bid for Italy’s Alitalia as Europe's airlines prepare for a winter of consolidation amid rising fuel costs. Alitalia has been under special administration since last year after workers rejected a rescue plan. EasyJet, Lufthansa and Wizz Air have submitted previous submissions of interest. – Telegraph

Mothercare is to cut 200 jobs at its head office in Watford in a bid to meet a £19m cost-saving target as it battles a crisis on the UK high street. The struggling retailer said the company restructure, initially announced in May, would result in 150 net job losses and 50 new roles, and that staff would be redeployed where possible. It said it would be “supporting colleagues throughout the consultation process”. – Telegraph

The national debt will increase unless taxes rise or the NHS is reformed to make it affordable, Moody’s has warned. The £84 billion earmarked in the budget for the NHS for the next six years underlined the choices that the country must make because the escalating cost of healthcare would only “intensify the UK’s long-term fiscal pressures”, the credit ratings agency said. – The Times

Randgold Resources and Barrick Gold have increased their dividends ahead of shareholder votes on their proposed combination to form the world’s biggest goldmining corporation. The companies said in September that Barrick, of Canada, would buy the London-listed Randgold for $6 billion in an all-share deal, creating a Canadian-listed group worth about $18 billion. – The Times