Easter Reads part one: the best in our opinion pages on politics, the economy and Ukraine April 16, 2022 Back when partygate was “seemingly” subsiding, Giles Kenningham looked at another political headache for Johnson, one with a much longer legacy: the future of the Union. The pandemic gave a taste of greater independence to the devolved nations, and now some want to keep it – surely, that’s the case with Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon. To [...]
Terrible Thursday for Barratt as energy prices and inflation take their toll on Britain’s biggest housebuilder July 14, 2022 Barratt Developments revealed this a.m. the company is facing a rise in build costs of up to 10 per cent as soaring energy prices and inflation take their toll. Britain’s biggest housebuilder said build cost increases have escalated to between 9 per cent and 10 per cent, up from around 6 per cent over the [...]
FTSE 100 today: London markets brace for caution as traders scale back rate cut bets February 6, 2024 Asian markets mimic Wall Street's dip, oil prices hold steady. UK retail sales slow in January, RBA maintains interest rate at 4.35%; focus shifts to UK Construction PMI.
Ofgem ‘failed to understand and tackle risks in the market’ argues Citizens Advice May 9, 2022 Energy regulator Ofgem"failed to understand and tackle risks in the market" in the run-up to the industry crisis last winter, argued Citizens Advice.
UK housing market: Borrowers weigh up taking the plunge, or waiting for rates to fall further February 7, 2024 After a torrid year, the outlook for the UK’s property market is poised to improve. A number of reports have suggested that house prices will continue to drop, which will hopefully help more would-be-buyers finally get on the housing ladder, even if this negatively impacts those who already have property, and want to see its [...]
Small businesses suffer unprecedented cost assault in sign of more economic woe April 25, 2022 Swelling costs are eating away at small businesses’ margins in a sign that a key engine of the UK’s recovery is beginning to stall, reveals fresh research published today. Nearly nine in 10 small businesses have experienced an uptick in their operating costs, squeezing their room to combat what is expected to be a weaker [...]
Consumers turn to instant noodles in cost of living crunch, says Premier Foods boss July 20, 2022 Shoppers are increasingly turning to budget meals amid the cost of living crisis in the UK, the boss of consumer goods giant Premier Foods said today. The popularity of its instant ramen brands Nissin and Batchelors, which own Cup Noodle and Super Noodles respectively, in the second quarter of this year have jumped, as household [...]
B&M quarterly sales dip after retailer warns shoppers could cut back amid high inflation June 29, 2022 Discount retailer B&M has seen sales plummet in its first quarter, against strong lockdown comparatives, as cash-strapped Brits cut back on discretionary spending. In a trading update for the 13 weeks from 27 March to 25 June, the London-listed business said group revenue had dropped 2.2 per cent on a constant currency basis. Across the [...]
PMQs: Boris Johnson deflects on windfall tax as Starmer teases him on an ‘inevitable u-turn’ May 18, 2022 Boris Johnson has been accused of dithering on a windfall tax by Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions, as the leader of the opposition said he would do an ‘inevitable u-turn’ on the issue. The PM refused to be drawn on whether he supported the one-off tax, with Starmer highlighting Rishi Sunak’s comments to the [...]
Londoners more worried about housing and work situation than those in any other region of the UK April 1, 2022 Those living in London are more worried about what their work and housing situation will look like when they’re older, than those living in any other region of the UK. Although Londoners are confident in their health and believe they have enough savings to last them into old age, those living in London have significant [...]