The FTSE in 2017: six charts that tell the story so far July 25, 2017 The FTSE 100, 250 and All-Share indices have all made strong gains and reached record highs in the first half of 2017. The strong performance of London-listed shares is somewhat surprising given the backdrop – June’s snap general election arguably left the government in a weaker position going into Brexit negotiations, while household finances are [...]
Budget 2017: The full text of chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech March 8, 2017 Philip Hammond has delivered his first – and last – Spring Budget. Headline announcements included more cash for social care and punishing new rules for the self-employed – plus some vague comments on business rates. Read more: City A.M.'s TL;DR version of the Spring 2017 Budget Here's what he said: Mr Deputy Speaker, I report [...]
UK and London house prices: The disastrous new tax on buy to let landlords is really a tax on tenants April 6, 2017 Theresa May stood on the steps of Number 10 Downing Street last summer and pledged to help those “just about managing” families and build “a country that works for everyone”. After a divisive referendum campaign and a period of political turmoil, it was a reassuring message. Tackling Britain’s housing crisis was quickly identified as one [...]
Energy providers are coming up with new methods to move customers to cheaper deals February 14, 2017 As two-thirds of British consumers, or 67 per cent, are still paying for their energy provider's most expensive deal, a consumer group has urged firms to implement new policies. Consumer advice group Which has pushed British energy suppliers to outline new ways to engage customers ahead of Ofgem interventions. Today, it will today publish the responses of 14 companies. "With [...]
“Really, is that it?” – reactions to the government’s housing white paper February 7, 2017 In the year that the US President signed an executive order to build a wall, UK politicians got together to write a housing paper that was lacking in concrete ideas. There were some general indicators of where the government is going on housing, however. Here's how the property industry reacted: On the lack of content [...]
Redirect £76bn from former EU budget to fuel inclusive growth says RSA commission March 7, 2017 The government should reroute billions of pounds that currently goes to the EU budget to support inclusive growth after Brexit, according to a commission set up by businesses, local government and non-profit groups. A new £76bn fund would deliver growth across the whole of the UK, lowering inequality and raising overall productivity, the report by [...]
The costs of running a business in London are starting to outweigh the benefits February 28, 2017 The late, great Robin Williams once said: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party’.” When the chancellor stands up to deliver the last ever Spring Budget next week, however, small businesses in London are likely to be putting party plans on hold unless Philip Hammond can pull the miraculous business rates “rabbit out of the [...]
Brexit one year on: the impact on the pound, FTSE and the economy June 23, 2017 When the result of the UK’s EU referendum confirmed that the UK had voted to leave, markets were initially weaker. The FTSE 100 index has since rallied by 17%, while the pound has fallen by 14.5% against the dollar, to $1.27. But what has changed, and what are the prospects for UK investors? A panel [...]
British business groups welcome Theresa May’s wide-ranging industrial strategy January 23, 2017 Britain's top business groups have thrown their weight behind government plans for a sweeping new industrial strategy, seeking to boost productivity across every sector and in every corner of the country. Prime Minister Theresa May will launch a green paper in the north west today by calling on businesses and workers “to help us create [...]
Mongolia agrees terms for $5.5bn IMF-backed loan February 19, 2017 The IMF and its partners have come to an agreement to provide Mongolia with an economic stabilisation package worth $5.5bn (£4.43bn). Rapid growth in Mongolia’s commodities sector had resulted in a fast pace of economic growth, reaching double digit figures between 2011-2013. A sharp decline in commodity prices, plus a fall in foreign direct investment, [...]