Small firms less upbeat as skills gap gets wider September 6, 2015 The supply of skilled workers available for London firms to hire is plunging at its fastest rate for 18 years. The skills shortage adds to the headache of small businesses, which have had a worrisome summer after the introduction of a national living wage and higher dividend taxes. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) barometer [...]
UK housing supply shortage makes Britain a hotspot for residential property investors September 6, 2015 Britain’s housing shortage combined with the country’s strong economic growth has made it the fourth best place in the world if you are looking to park cash in residential property. The UK housing market, which has seen prices climb by 20 per cent over the past five years, was ranked behind only the US, [...]
The City of London’s decade of growth – upwards September 6, 2015 An army of tall buildings that have transformed London’s skyline over the past decade – from the Heron Tower, completed in 2011, to the Shard, which opened in 2012 near the former site of City A.M.’s very first offices, New Bridge House. And there are many more to come in the next few years, [...]
Washout August bank holiday weather leads to record online spending September 6, 2015 Online spending growth hit a four-year high in August as the wet summer weather drove more people to shop from the comfort of their homes. Figures released today based on credit and debit card transactions from Visa Europe show online retailers enjoyed a 10.7 per cent jump in the spending year-on-year in August, the [...]
IMF chief Christine Lagarde says Ukraine is showing “signs of turning the corner” September 6, 2015 International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss Christine Lagarde has said that Ukraine's economic reforms are starting to yield results, and the country is on the cusp of "turning the corner". Lagarde stressed she was "extremely encouraged" by the recent progress towards stabilising Ukraine's economy, even against a backdrop of difficult circumstances. The heavily indebted country has suffered amid [...]
G20: Finance ministers say low interest rates not enough to boost global economy September 6, 2015 Finance ministers from the world's 20 biggest economies agreed yesterday that keeping interest rates at their current low levels won't be enough to prevent a global economic slowdown. Following a two-day meeting in Ankara, Turkey, they said a coordinated introduction of other reforms was needed to encourage growth. "Monetary policies will continue to [...]
Non-farm payroll: US jobs growth weakens in August leaving Federal Reserve rate hike uncertain September 4, 2015 Weeks of global market turmoil have taken their toll on US job growth, after the number of new jobs created dipped to its lowest level since March, leaving the Federal Reserve with a rate hike dilemma on its hands. Employment increased by 173,000 in August, show non-farm payroll figures released by the US Department of [...]
Yes, money really does make you happier, but it’s wealth, not income, that really makes a difference September 4, 2015 Ever been told that money can’t buy happiness? Well, there’s now definitive proof the people who said that are just wrong. How much we earn strongly affects our happiness levels, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show. Looking at how money affects things like life satisfaction, happiness and anxiety levels, the report found [...]
Swiss inflation drops to its lowest level in half a century September 4, 2015 Inflation in Switzerland has sunk to its lowest level in over 50 years, according to official statistics published today. The consumer price index fell to 0.2 per cent in August from July. On an annual basis, the figure has declined 1.4 per cent. Read more: Swiss franc crisis: Swiss go nuts for central London property [...]
EU warns: SNP minimum booze price could distort competition September 4, 2015 Scotland’s first minister Sturgeon has said that she will “vigorously make the case” for a minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland, even though a top official at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said that the policy could restrict trade and distort competition. ECJ advocate general Yves Bot said yesterday that it was “difficult to [...]