Optimism on the future of the UK economy has plummeted among bosses according to a new survey November 15, 2016 Business leaders are pleading with the government to restore faith in the wider economy next week after a survey showed confidence amongst bosses plummeting through October. While optimism had been growing in the aftermath the summer referendum, new figures from the Institute of Directors show expectations fell dramatically last month. An IoD survey of over [...]
Housebuilder shares fall on a quiet day on the markets November 25, 2016 It's so quiet on the markets today you can hear a pin drop – but that didn't stop housebuilders from being hit after this week's Autumn Statement. On the FTSE 100, Persimmon and Barratt were among the biggest fallers – they were both 0.8 per cent lower, at 1,715p and 469.6p respectively. Tayler Wimpey, the other [...]
Productivity puzzle remains for economists despite UK growth in third quarter of 2016 January 6, 2017 The UK is still struggling to increase the amount it increases per worker as economists wrestle with a continued “productivity puzzle”, new official data shows. Labour productivity, measured by the amount the UK produced per hour, grew by only 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2016, representing a flat rate of growth, according [...]
Conservatives scrap “pointless” medical tests for welfare claimants October 1, 2016 People who are unable to work due to serious illness or medical conditions will no longer have to undergo "pointless" reassessments in order to receive benefits, the government has announced today. The new changes will mean tens of thousands of people with lifelong conditions will not have to face repeated medical tests, which can take place as often [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: The government must simplify pensions and cut fees so the over-50s can properly plan for retirement November 25, 2015 The UK’s retirement landscape has changed radically over recent years. While the reforms that have been introduced recently are designed to make life better for those approaching and at retirement, they have yet to have the desired effect right the way across the board. Some of today’s announcements in the Autumn Statement should go some [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: Pound up against euro and dollar as George Osborne announces raised GDP forecast for next two years November 25, 2015 The pound edged higher against the euro and US dollar today after chancellor George Osborne announced gross domestic product forecasts had been raised for the next two years. Read more: Autumn Statement – tax credit changes off the table The chancellor announced new forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, where the economy will grow by 2.4 per [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: Chancellor George Osborne banks on UK housebuilding boom as experts warn of looming £30bn black hole November 25, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne will vow to double the national housing budget when he presents his five-year spending plan later today, despite new warnings that the Treasury is facing a £30bn “black hole” in its finances. In a statement to parliament combining the Spending Review and the Autumn Statement, Osborne will say that public finances “come down [...]
Countryside shrugs off Brexit concerns with soaring revenue and profits November 29, 2016 Housebuilder Countryside has laid solid foundations for 2017 after making a return to the London Stock Exchange earlier this year. The figures Adjusted revenue was up 26 per cent from £615.8m in 2015 to £777m, while adjusted operating profit rose 34 per cent to £122.5m from £91.2m. Basic earnings per share were up 209 per cent from [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: Bookies odds on George Osborne talking security and defence climb budget agenda… and a dash of pink with tie colour November 24, 2015 Matters of security and defence have taken over the chancellor's Autumn Statement after the events of Paris sparked a renewed focus on Britain's ability to fight the threat of Islamic State (IS). The words on George Osborne's lips will include "Trident" and "defence of the realm" in the most defence-heavy budget speech in recent years, according to Ladbrokes. [...]
Retail shareholders hold out for better deal in RBS lawsuit December 4, 2016 A subset of shareholders suing RBS over how it handled a financial crisis fundraising are holding out for a better deal, despite other investors closing in on an out of court offer. Shareholders are currently due to face off against the bank in court next March, claiming the lender misled them into taking part in a 2008 [...]