British businesses most optimistic in over a year but London firms sweat over inflation June 30, 2023 British business optimism has climbed to its highest level in over a year despite consumers retreating in response to rising prices and the Bank of England’s aggressive interest rate rises, a survey out today reveals. UK business confidence climbed nine points to 37 per cent in June, taking it up to its highest level since [...]
Over-50s considering returning to work due to concerns about retirement funds December 6, 2022 The overwhelming majority of over-50s are not financially set for retirement due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Just under two-fifths of those aged 50-54 are happy their retirement funds are sufficient, rising to 55 per cent for those 60-65. The worrying trend, highlighted in research from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, shows [...]
IAG: Is this the week that British Airways owner’s share price takes off? May 1, 2023 The aviation industry will be looking ahead to British Airways owner IAG’s quarterly results this week, as the airline conglomerate looks to close in on pre-pandemic profits. Analysts at HSBC expect IAG to report this Friday that capacity sits at 96 per cent compared to pre-Covid levels in 2019. The group has been eyeing a [...]
Rishi Sunak bans new smart motorways amid safety concerns April 16, 2023 The building of new smart motorways is being cancelled as prime minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged concerns about safety and cost. Fourteen planned smart motorways – including 11 that are already paused and three earmarked for construction – will be removed from government road building plans, given financial pressures and in recognition of the lack of [...]
Cutting wages is a short-sighted solution to hospitality’s woes January 17, 2024 The hospitality sector is under pressure, but foregoing fair pay is not a long-term solution, writes Andrea Rasca.
Why it may not be all doom and gloom for John Lewis March 10, 2024 Employee-owned John Lewis Partnership has faced a series of dilemmas over the past few years, but analysts are “cautiously optimistic” a refresh of its top table will help aid its balance sheet ahead of its results next week.
Sainsbury’s boss: Brits don’t have time to bargain hunt with rivals December 17, 2023 The chief executive of Sainsbury’s has said that customers are shunning the likes of Aldi and Lidl in favour of ‘Big Four’ grocers, as a return to the office and a resulting lack of time has left them unable to shop around for deals. In an interview with The Telegraph, Simon Roberts said that the [...]
Hunt unveils measures to ensure customers get fair pricing June 28, 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has drafted an action plan with authorities to ensure customers are being facing fair prices during the cost of living crisis. Hunt sat down with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and the regulators for the energy, water and communications sectors, early on Wednesday 28 June at 11 Downing Street. He was [...]
Pubs closing at fastest pace in a decade as high interest rates and energy bills crush Britain’s boozers June 19, 2023 Pubs are closing at the quickest pace in a decade and experts have warned a further wave of failures are on the way, new research out today shows. Some 620 of Britain’s watering holes disappeared over the year to the end of March, a 68 per cent increase from the 369 failures in the same [...]
Pay growth to ease for first time since Covid in ‘key moment for labour market’ February 12, 2024 Jon Boys, senior labour market economist for the CIPD, said "this feels like a key moment in the UK labour market".