IFS boss: Labour’s spending pledges likely to push up taxes for average earners October 21, 2019 The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said Labour’s spending plans are likely to lead to higher taxes for those on average incomes. Read more: Hey, big spender: Institute for Fiscal Studies boss Paul Johnson on the end of economic orthodoxy In an interview with City A.M., Paul Johnson also said the [...]
Small firms call for major business rates overhaul Sajid Javid’s November budget October 21, 2019 Small businesses have called on chancellor Sajid Javid to make “radical business rates reform” a key part of the upcoming autumn budget to address the unprecedented slump in confidence among smaller firms. Read more: Remember, remember, 6 November: Sajid Javid sets date for 2019 budget Javid is planning to hold a budget on 6 November, [...]
Scotch whisky producers sound alarm as US slaps tariffs on EU goods October 18, 2019 Scottish whisky producers have warned that the US’s new 25 per cent tariffs on imports of single malt Scotch, which have come into force today, are “very bad news for our industry”. Read more: WTO gives go-ahead for $7.5bn of US tariffs on EU goods The Scottish whisky business is just one of many across [...]
Bank of England deputy suggests Brexit deal could see rates rise October 18, 2019 Deputy Bank of England governor Dave Ramsden has said he thinks gradually increasing interest rates could still be the right path if Britain achieves a smooth exit from the European Union. Read more: PM Johnson scrambles to save Brexit deal ahead of key Saturday vote Threadneedle Street has repeatedly struck a more hawkish tone than [...]
Revenue rises at cake-maker Finsbury Foods as it targets vegan market October 18, 2019 British cake-maker Finsbury Foods saw revenue grow in the year to June as the firm embraces new trends such as vegan and healthy products. Shares in the group rose 2.55 per cent soon after the bell, hitting 80.5p. The figures Finsbury Foods’s adjusted profit before tax fell 5.7 per cent to £16.8m in the 12 [...]
Chinese growth slows to near 30-year low as trade war bites October 18, 2019 The Chinese economy slowed to its weakest pace in almost 30 years in the third quarter, official figures have shown, as the ongoing trade war with the US weighs on the the country’s economy and global demand. Read more: Global markets underwhelmed by US-China trade truce GDP rose by six per cent year on year, [...]
Pound reverses gains as DUP rejects Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal October 17, 2019 The pound has dramatically reversed course from this morning’s five-month high to trade flat against the dollar as optimism about a new Brexit deal has faded. Read more: Boris Johnson hails ‘great’ new deal Sterling rocketed over one per cent against the dollar this morning to the $1.29 level not seen since May after Prime [...]
Eight arrests made after Extinction Rebellion causes rush hour chaos on Jubilee Line October 17, 2019 Eight arrests have been made after Extinction Rebellion protesters caused severe delays on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Tube during rush hour today. Furious commuters reacted by dragging a climate change activist from the top of a train before appearing to attack him. Read more: Extinction Rebellion targets London’s financial heart in day of [...]
UK retail sales growth holds steady as Brexit day approaches October 17, 2019 Growth in UK retail sales held steady in the third quarter of the year, official figures have shown, as shoppers remained cautious in the run-up to the October Brexit deadline. Read more: UK unemployment rate rises as Brexit fears hit labour market Britons bought 0.6 per cent more goods in the second quarter than in [...]
Domino’s Pizza UK to quit international markets October 17, 2019 Domino’s UK has announced that it will close its international operations, where the pizza delivery firm said performance had been “disappointing”. Read more: Why Domino’s sell off was overcooked Chief executive David Wild said said the decision to shutter its operations in Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden came after it decided “we are not the [...]