Top Bank of England rate setter warns inflation will breach five per cent soon December 6, 2021 A top rate setter at the Bank of England has today warned inflation will soar far above the Old Lady’s target and breach five per cent. Ben Broadbent, a deputy governor at the Bank, said in a speech in Leeds “in the spring of next year… [inflation] will probably climb comfortably through five per cent, [...]
Will the new ultra-low emission zone affect your house price? October 21, 2021 The signs are up, the maps have been published – it’s ULEZ time. On Monday, the expanded ultra-low emission zone kicks in, casting a warm glow of low emissions not just over Westminster, but every surrounding neighbourhood within the often-smelly, usually-congested north circular. According to one logistics company, this long-planned expansion may mean that getting [...]
Marston’s revenue sinks as ‘worst of pandemic now behind us’ November 30, 2021 Pub company Marston’s reported depleted revenue for the financial year but said trading momentum had rebuilt since the easing of lockdown measures. Total pub revenue for the year was £402m, down 22 per cent on last year, which the operator said was a result of Covid trading disruptions. Andrew Andrea, CEO said: “While there are [...]
Ukraine crisis: what does it mean for asset allocation? February 28, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is having devastating human consequences, has increased the risk of a stagflation environment – one of slowing economic growth but high inflation. How should investors prepare for this possible scenario? Our analysis reveals which asset classes are likely to outperform if it comes to pass. Our live blog on the Ukraine crisis [...]
Employers still bumping pay despite labour squeeze cooling January 13, 2022 Employers in London and across the UK are still having to offer attractive pay packets to lure workers despite the labour squeeze easing, reveal fresh figures released today. The rate of decrease in the pool of available candidates slowed at the tail end of last year, boosting labour supply, according to research carried out by [...]
Boost for Global Britain as UK exports to EU defy Brexit challenges and hit highest level ever July 1, 2022 New ONS data shows that British exports to the EU reached their highest ever level due to rising exports of fuels as the bloc continues to import substantial quantities of LNG. Goods exports to the EU reached £16.4bn in April 2022, their highest level in current prices since the series began in 1997. Meanwhile, the [...]
Covid passports could cost venues up to £2bn in lost turnover October 26, 2021 Vaccine passports could drive Covid infections if people are more inclined to visit poorly ventilated pubs instead of larger venues, according to a leaked government impact assessment. Concerns about the policy – recently adopted in Scotland- are set out in a report written by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS] and seen [...]
As Iceland rows back on palm oil, this is one slippery slope we should start to embrace March 31, 2022 Supermarket chain Iceland announced this week that it had no choice but to go back on a pledge to avoid using palm oil as an ingredient in its own-brand product range. Managing director Richard Walker wrote in a blog post that Iceland could no longer afford to use sunflower oil, the palm oil alternative it [...]
‘Headaches’ for Innocent as fruit for smoothies held up at ports October 21, 2021 Innocent’s CEO Douglas Lamont has warned decisions on hiking prices of the brand’s smoothies are “imminent,” as retailers face mounting cost pressures. Speaking to CityAM, Lamont said there were “huge challenges out there,” with cost pressures and limited driver availability. “We’ve all been quite battle-hardened [after the pandemic], in terms of keeping service levels. We’re [...]
Central bank chiefs warn inflation shock will persist September 30, 2021 The cream of the central banking crop collectively warned yesterday shortages plaguing rich nations pose a threat to their economic recovery and are unlikely to end anytime soon. Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, Jerome Powell, chair of the US Federal Reserve and Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank (ECB) said [...]