Inflation to climb again in fiscal headache for Sunak March 21, 2022 Inflation in the UK will accelerate to its highest rate since 1991, according to bets placed by City economists on Wednesday’s fresh data released ahead of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spring statement. The rate of price rises will breach six per cent, new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will show. Rising energy and [...]
Bank of England to hoist interest rates to 5.75 per cent as experts warn UK inflation is out of control June 13, 2023 The Bank of England will have to hike interest rates to their highest level since July 2007, the eve of the financial crisis, in a sign that markets think the UK has the worst inflation problem in the rich world. Traders ratcheted up bets on how high Bank Governor Andrew Bailey and the rest of [...]
Ofcom opens up to telecom mergers as UK innovation risks falling behind February 9, 2022 Ofcom has revealed that it may be increasingly open-minded to mergers as the telecoms landscape continues to evolve and consumers look for better connectivity.
Why does the Bank of England (secretly) want to sack you? To hose down the inflation fire March 14, 2023 Whisper it very, very softly, but the Bank of England (secretly) is trying to force you out of the job. That’s right. Governor Andrew Bailey wants to toss you to the wolves in the name of the fight against inflation. That’s overegging it. No one is directly trying to make someone else unemployed. A kernel [...]
Why have the Bank of England and the IMF been so wrong on the UK economy? May 30, 2023 Recession? What recession? The Bank of England and the IMF have been wrong on the state of the UK economy, but it's not all their fault
Can fintech thrive outside of London? Charlotte Crosswell talks growing the sector around the country March 2, 2023 Even as Charlotte Crosswell launched the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology in Leeds this week with a mandate to boost fintech across the UK, those in attendance were asking why it couldn’t have been in London. The Leeds event had big name backers in City minister Andrew Griffith and has full-throated support from across [...]
UK’s audit watchdog set to reclaim control over licensing of major accountancy firms April 12, 2022 The UK’s audit watchdog is preparing to strengthen its powers to sanction Britain’s major accountancy firms. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is readying itself to take back control over the registration of the UK’s auditing firms, sources told the Financial Times. In doing so, the FRC would be given new powers to strip licenses from [...]
West End laments government Covid messaging as footfall falls flat December 7, 2021 The West End has bemoaned government messaging on Covid as it reported no uptick in footfall last week. New West End Company, which represents 600 brands in the area, said yesterday footfall was still down 30 per cent on pre-pandemic levels. Flat footfall was blamed on “the impact of Government messaging around Omicron,” and tube [...]
London markets rebound as retailers lead FTSE 100 higher January 11, 2022 London markets rebounded from a poor day yesterday, led higher by investor sentiment toward retailers strengthening after a strong Christmas trading period. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index climbed 0.39 per cent to 7,474.07 points, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, added 0.59 per [...]
UK labour supply falls at fastest rate on record in June July 8, 2021 The supply of UK workers slid at its fastest rate on record as firms struggle with severe labour shortages, according to a survey released today. The latest KPMG and REC report on jobs shows supply of both permanent and temporary staff in June fell at its quickest pace since the survey started 24 years ago. [...]