To triple lock or unlock: Pensioners risk losing out on hundreds of pounds per year if inflation-link is dropped Costly dilemma for Hunt This morning’s inflation figures mean that retirees could see their state pension boosted by a whopping 10.1 per cent in 2023/24, but only if Chancellor Jeremy Hunt doesn’t ditch the triple-lock. The increase would be in line with September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation figure, which is usually used for benefits uprating Increasing the state pension by inflation rather [...]
£450bn of UK pension funds’ inflation-linked liabilities remain unmatched Investment & inflation £450bn of inflation‐linked liabilities belonging to UK pension funds remain unmatched, according to new data shared with City A.M. this afternoon. As higher inflation risks currently prevail means demand for inflation-linked assets continues, yet there is a lack of supply of such assets, according to Alpha Real Capital The firm’s analysis suggests the value of [...]
Investors eat up UK inflation-linked debt despite record low yield paltry payout The UK has sold a tranche of debt that will pay investors the lowest inflation adjusted yield on record. Investors hoovered up over £1bn in inflation-linked gilts maturing in 2073 paying the lowest yield on any syndicated gilt sale ever. The maturity date is also the longest for any inflation-linked debt issued. Inflation-linked debt is [...]
BBC licence fee may shrink in real terms as ministers reject inflation link August 31, 2021 The BBC licence fee will increase by less than the rate of inflation out until 2026 because ministers are concerned about hitting households with higher bills, the Times has reported The dominant public service broadcaster is in the middle of a funding squeeze that has forced it to restructure major parts of its news production. [...]
Ofcom wants mobile and broadband firms to set out price rises clearly in ‘pounds and pence’ December 12, 2023 Mobile and broadband providers may have to state pound and pence rises in customers contracts under a new legislation proposed by Ofcom to ban inflation linked price rises. The media watchdog said it was concerned that customers’ contracts do not provide “sufficient certainty” about the prices they will pay. The regulator said it would stop [...]
Which? urges Ofcom to probe Virgin Media rate hikes August 24, 2023 Which? has called on Ofcom to probe Virgin Media’s pricing tactics, accusing it of “egregious” tactics and “woeful” customer service. The consumer champ said Virgin could be breaking the law by giving itself “sweeping powers” to hike broadband bills by “unlimited sums” whenever it feels like it. Plus, the telecoms company is reportedly slapping on [...]
United Utilities hikes dividends despite lower profit and rise in debt November 16, 2023 United Utilities released its half year report today, highlighting an ambitious five year plan and hiking its dividend despite a fall in profit and rise in debt. Revenue rose 6.8 per cent, but operating profit fell 6.9 per cent due after a 16.6 per cent jump in operating costs. Debt rose from £7.8bn in 2022 [...]
Network Rail tumbled to £1.1bn loss after ‘deeply bruising’ year of strikes July 18, 2023 Network Rail tumbled to a £1.1 billion loss for the past year as it was impacted by strike action and higher interest payments on its debts. The body, which owns and manages the infrastructure of most of the UK’s railway network, saw losses grow for the year to March 31 from a £324 million profit [...]
Spring Budget 2024: High earners set to pay more tax under band freeze, analysis suggests March 6, 2024 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced that National Insurance will be cut by 2p to lower the tax burden ahead of a general election. But analysis from investment platform AJ Bell has found that high earners are set to pay more overall under the government's tax band freeze.
Sweeping powers to hike broadband bills must be stopped August 24, 2023 Consumer group Which? has accused Virgin Media of 'breaking the law' with new price increases.