Lack of available finance hampering SMEs – and things aren’t getting better anytime soon June 29, 2023 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are struggling to access funding as rising rates force banks to put up the costs of lending. According to YouGov data collected for AIM-listed Manx Financial Group, 40 per cent of SMEs had to stop or pause an area of their business due to a lack of funding over the [...]
Rail cancellations swell as figures reveal 2022-23 worst year on record May 25, 2023 Train passengers in Britain have faced record levels of disruption over the last twelve months, with new figures revealing 2022-23 was the worst year ever for rail cancellations. Passengers have faced record levels of disruption after the past year was the worst on record for train cancellations, figures from the Office for Road and Rail [...]
ABF: Rita Ora collaboration helps Primark owner’s revenues hit almost £20bn November 7, 2023 Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has continued to rake in hefty profits despite the cost of living crisis, with group revenue for the full year rising 16 per cent to £19.7bn. The owner of the budget fashion brand said that revenues at its retail arm rose 17 per cent to £9bn as customers flocked [...]
It’s time for politicians to stop fighting the Brexit battle November 6, 2023 Today a new report claims to show that Brexit “has not had a major detrimental effect on UK–EU trade”.
S&U channels Marcus Aurelius as motor finance lender says it will ‘wrestle on’ April 9, 2024 The specialist auto and property lender has posted a fall in annual profit and lowered its dividend as the firm grapples with higher costs and regulatory pressures.
Wizz Air pandemic turnaround well underway as passenger numbers fly December 2, 2022 Wizz Air’s pandemic turnaround is well underway, with passenger numbers increasing soaring in the past year. The European carrier carried 3.6 million passengers in November, representing a 70 per cent increase compared to November 2021. In the past 12-months, Wizz Air has carried 44.1 million travellers – a rise of more than 120 per cent. [...]
Virgin Media O2 slashes social tariff broadband price for struggling Brits October 11, 2022 Virgin Media O2 has slashed the price of its social tariff as the telecom giant follows calls to support the hardest hit by macroeconomic headwinds. The price of the basic band, which is specifically targeted at those receiving Universal Credit, will drop by 16 per cent to £12.50 per month for all new and existing customers, making [...]
Gen Z drivers forking out extra £300 as soaring car premiums offset dip in petrol costs June 13, 2023 Young car owners are paying an extra £300 to drive a car this year as a result of insurers hiking up premium prices, new research shows. Analysis from Compare the Market shows that young motorists between 17-24 are now paying £2,559 to drive a car for a year, compared with £2,263 in 2022 a “substantial” [...]
Economy stagnant in April thanks to wet weather as recovery falters June 12, 2024 Getting the economy firing again is a crucial election pledge for both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak.
Childcare costs mean it makes ‘no financial sense for many mothers to work’: official report January 17, 2024 London’s economy could be being held back by around £5bn a year due to issues with childcare costs and shortages.