2023 set to be just as ‘horrendous’ as 2022 with falling pay and soaring energy bills December 30, 2022 Next year looks set to be just as “horrendous” for many families’ living standards as this year, as they are hit with falling pay and soaring energy, tax and mortgage bills, a think tank has warned. Households face a cost-of-living “groundhog year” with disposable incomes plummeting even further than in 2022, which saw the biggest [...]
Calls for a social tariff obscure wider energy issues May 15, 2023 Energy bills will finally fall this summer after nearly 18 months of sustained hikes, softening a painful cost of living squeeze for millions of Brits. This year’s drop in wholesale gas prices on the spot market, thanks to Europe’s successful scramble for supplies last winter and China’s flagging economic growth, will soon be reflected in [...]
Disbelief and outrage across EU as UK says it won’t do anything to stop end to Brexit food checks February 3, 2022 European media responded with shock and disbelief this morning after a minister in Northern Ireland ordered to end checks on food in his country and the UK declared it won’t do anything about it. Moreover, Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan is expected to announce his resignation by the end of the week, potentially later [...]
Notes from a future where Britain has solved the housing crisis April 16, 2024 In ten years’ time, high house prices and low supply could be a thing of the past. Kristian Niemietz offers a despatch from that brave new world… The year is 2035 and according to provisional figures released today by the Office for National Statistics it is the tenth year in a row during which house [...]
Europe’s gas crisis: what does it mean for investors? August 23, 2022 Europe faces high gas prices and potential shortages as supply from Russia dwindles. We ask our investment experts what this means for companies, the energy transition, and the eurozone economy. Europe’s precarious gas supply situation has been a prime focus for markets ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the end of February. The European [...]
Mortgage and remortgage approvals fall as higher interest rates hits property market September 29, 2023 New mortgage approvals fell to the lowest level in six months while approvals for remortgaging plummeted as rising interest rates dented the mortgage market.
Fiscal prudence? The iron chancellor doth protest too much July 24, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ decision to expand the powers of the OBR suggests apprehension, not confidence, writes Tim Focas. Rachel Reeves has promised to be an “iron chancellor” embodying fiscal constraint and discipline. Yet, her first legislative move to enhance the powers of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) raises questions about her own confidence in living [...]
Let’s be honest: ‘miracle drug’ Ozempic will be a game-changer on obesity May 16, 2024 What if there was already a proven way to reduce obesity and improve health without government intervention? There is and it’s called Ozempic, says Matt Lesh A new study out this week claims that rising work absenteeism is being driven by obesity. There are reasons to doubt these findings. Official data from the Office for [...]
Cap, scrapped: Banker bonus limit to go in bid to boost City competitiveness October 24, 2023 Regulators have confirmed plans to scrap the cap on bankers' bonuses with the new policy going live at the end of this month.
Budget: Energy bills to drop £1,000 by July but will not fall below £2,000 by October March 15, 2023 Cornwall Insight has unveiled its price cap predictions ahead of the Budget, raising expectations of a sharp fall in energy bills.