Automation and decarbonisation could further deepen poverty in London March 14, 2022 Increasing automation and a move to a greener economy could further deepen inequality in the capital post-pandemic. The gap between’s London’s poorest and richest widened during coronavirus, with people claiming unemployment benefit substantially above the national average. As companies seek to recoup lost profits from the pandemic, many are turning to automation of roles, thanks [...]
Life insurance giant Phoenix Group announces record £1.5bn intake for financial year March 14, 2022 One of the largest providers of life insurance in the UK, the Phoenix Group, has announced record financial results for 2021, taking in £1.7bn. The firm surpassed its target of £1.5bn in the last 12 months, with its board announcing a new policy dividend increase of three per cent. Phoenix had a strong performance in [...]
New business growth in London at eight year high amid concern about inflation and input costs March 14, 2022 New business activity in the capital has reached an eight-year high, but optimism remains cautious with rising inflation and pressures on input costs. There has been a resurgence in trade across the London, with growth rising from 57.3 per cent in January to a three month high of 63 per cent, in February. Growth reported [...]
Most millennial investors think they will be financially stronger after the pandemic March 11, 2022 More than 60 per cent of millennial investors believe they’ll be financially stronger after the pandemic then before it. While coronavirus had a devastating impact on many parts of the economy, those aged 18-34 saw it as an opportunity to enter different markets. The majority of millennials looked to adapt to the ‘new normal’, according [...]
Rental market now ‘in full swing’ after strong recovery from pandemic low March 11, 2022 The rental market has returned to “full swing” from the pandemic low as stock levels fell dramatically from this time last year. With all Covid restrictions lifted, tenants are once again looking for a place to call home, with just 64,839 rental properties listed across these 21 major UK cities, according to numbers shared by [...]
Consumer lending surges as war, inflation and post-pandemic impact bite March 11, 2022 Consumer lending experienced a 51 per cent increase in January 2022 from the previous year, as concerns about Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising costs of living and inflation continue to bite. The sector for credit cards and personal loans had a major spike with a 55 per cent, according to new figures released by the [...]
Russia sent ‘400 mercenaries’ to kill Ukraine’s President Zelensky March 11, 2022 Vladimir Putin sent more than 400 Russian assassins to kill Ukraine’s democratically elected president Vlodymyr Zelensky – and break up his government. Kyiv was placed under a ‘hard’ curfew for 36-hours last week, after news of the mercenaries reached its government, and its army tried to clamp down on any possible infiltrators. A source close [...]
Four in ten Brits consider job change to counter higher cost of living and rising inflation March 11, 2022 Almost forty per cent of people polled this week have considered changing jobs to counter rising inflation and costs of living. Pressures are showing on people’s wages and mental health, with leading employment board Totaljobs urging employers to support their workers through difficult financial times. In a survey published this week, 37 per cent of [...]
House completions for properties outside London up by staggering 667 per cent March 11, 2022 There has been a significant spike in house completions for properties outside of London and Manchester with some areas having up to a 667 per cent rise. Apart from England’s two main population centres, the top 10 growth areas were in outlying towns, new figures from Paragon Bank shows. Milton Keynes led the way, experiencing [...]
Rishi Sunak urged to ‘turn wise words into action’ by FSB chair after small retailers feel ‘abandoned’ March 11, 2022 The chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged chancellor Rishi Sunak to “turn wise words into action”, after the vast majority of micro firms said they felt “abandoned” by his policies. As the cost of living crisis continues to bite for retailers and consumers alike, 2,000 independent retailers were surveyed through Not [...]