The week that was: London woes, hedge funds short on water, and confusing jobs data April 20, 2024 Confusing inflation data, further tribulations for water firms and yet more woes for the London Stock Exchange, we review another busy week in the City.
UK consumer confidence hits highest level in two years January 26, 2024 UK consumer confidence rose in January and had its highest reading in over two years, as a surprise rise in inflation appeared to not rattle the public.
UK economy: ‘Worst is behind us’ as optimism among finance bosses rises again April 8, 2024 With inflation falling fast and interest rates likely to be cut in a matter of months, CFOs are much more confident about their business prospects than is normally the case.
UK services economy surges after end of Plan B curbs despite inflation reaching record high March 3, 2022 Brits rushed back to pubs, bars and restaurants after the end of Plan B measures, boosting the UK’s services economy, but firms are raising prices at a record rate, reveals a closely watched survey released today. Activity among British services firms climbed to an eight month high, hitting 60.5 in February, according to IHS Markit’s [...]
Top economist says Bank of England’s failure to tackle inflation quickly will worsen cost-of-living crisis February 6, 2022 One of Britain’s top economists has accused the Bank of England’s of failing to act quickly enough to stop inflation from worsening the cost-of-living crisis. Gerard Lyons, a former economic advisor to both Gordon Brown and Boris Johnson, accused Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey of failing to “nip inflation in the bud” and taking [...]
Near-four decade high US inflation print piles pressure on Federal Reserve to act January 12, 2022 Inflation in the US is roaring at the fastest rate since 1982, piling pressure on the Federal Reserve to act now to tame the soaring cost of living across the pond. Prices are seven per cent higher than they were a year ago in December, according to official statistics published by the US Bureau of [...]
UK set for biggest tax rise in at least 50 years with £40bn raid October 7, 2023 The UK is on course to see its biggest tax rise in at least 50 years as a result of the freeze on personal thresholds and soaring inflation.
CBI chief: Spectre of inflation is ‘very real’ and larger than we thought November 22, 2021 The chief of the influential business group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned that inflation is “very real” and is threatening to squeeze British firms. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference, the group’s director general Tony Danker warned that pay hikes will “spill over” into prices, intensifying the cost of living crisis pinching [...]
Could April’s minimum wage hike dent hopes of a June rate cut? March 29, 2024 The minimum wage will rise from £10.42 to £11.40 per hour, an increase of 9.4 per cent, in April. Will it push inflation higher?
UK inflation to remain more than double BoE’s target for entire year January 10, 2022 UK inflation will run at more than double the Bank of England’s two per cent target for a whole year, reveals fresh forecasts published today. The rate of price increases will peak at 6.7 per cent this April, lifted higher by the energy bill cap being hoisted around 50 per cent, according to investment bank [...]