I’ll streamline safety rules, says Grayling November 27, 2011 EMPLOYMENT minister Chris Grayling has revealed plans to dump dozens of health and safety rules, telling the Sunday Times: “Health and safety legislation should be all about saving lives and preventing people from serious injury, but we have a bad record on unnecessary red tape.” ”Regulations expected to be cut include “strict liability” rules, under [...]
Downgrade bombshell puts brakes on FTSE gains December 6, 2011 The brakes were slammed on the recovery in European markets this morning after ratings agency Standard and Poor’s warned 15 Eurozone countries – including Germany – that they were teetering on the edge of a downgrade. Asian stocks and the euro fell after S&P piled pressure on a plan to solve the region’s debt crisis [...]
Downgrade bombshell puts brakes on FTSE gains December 6, 2011 The brakes were slammed on the recovery in European markets this morning after ratings agency Standard and Poor’s warned 15 Eurozone countries – including Germany – that they were teetering on the edge of a downgrade. Asian stocks and the euro fell after S&P piled pressure on a plan to solve the region’s debt crisis [...]
High street is hit by plunge in customers November 20, 2011 THE UK’s high streets have suffered the sharpest drop in footfall since last December’s freezing weather, new research reveals, painting a gloomy retail picture ahead of the crucial Christmas trading period. Footfall in stores and shopping centres across the country fell by 2.3 per cent between August and October compared with the same period last [...]
Gloom on the high street as sales drop November 7, 2011 A WEAK end to the year looms for British shops, after consumer spending dropped in October. Spending was down 0.9 per cent last month compared to September, according to a report published this morning by Visa. Compared to October 2010, spending on Visa cards plummeted by 1.9 per cent. And retailers fear a bleak Christmas [...]
Gloom on the high street as sales drop November 7, 2011 A WEAK end to the year looms for British shops, after consumer spending dropped in October. Spending was down 0.9 per cent last month compared to September, according to a report published this morning by Visa. Compared to October 2010, spending on Visa cards plummeted by 1.9 per cent. And retailers fear a bleak Christmas [...]
Retailers’ letter to Osborne hits out at planned tax hikes October 30, 2011 THE GOVERNMENT should back off and give retailers more space to aid the economic recovery, according to a letter sent to chancellor George Osborne this morning. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is calling for slower hikes to the minimum wage and business tax rates, as well as genuine cuts to red tape and freer trade [...]
UK services slows in October increasing fears of recession November 3, 2011 THE SLOWDOWN in the UK economy has spread to the service sector, data from Markit revealed yesterday, adding to worries that the next two quarters will register contraction in GDP – an official recession. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell from 51.5 in September to 51, indicating slowing growth. Numbers over 50 represent expansion. However, [...]
Early xmas deals boost retail sector November 17, 2011 Early pre-Christmas promotions gave a surprise lift to British retail sales in October, driving up volumes at their fastest pace since June, official data showed on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics said sales volumes including automotive fuel rose 0.6 per cent last month after a 0.5 per cent rise in September and confounding forecasts [...]
Record drop in retail jobs as consumers spend less October 26, 2011 LOW consumer spending has led to the fastest drop in retail employment since the British Retail Consortium (BRC) started monitoring data in 2008, a study released yesterday showed. Employment fell by 23,000 in the twelve months to September. Part-time staff were worst hit, while full time employment in the third quarter fell 5,780 on the [...]