European markets shrug off jitters over Greece as IMF pushes for debt relief May 5, 2015 European markets kept calm this morning, despite more jitters as the Greek government entered yet another round of talks with its creditors. The FTSE 100 rose 0.43 per cent in mid-morning trading, suggesting market uncertainty over the election is muted, while Germany's Dax fell 0.23 per cent and France's Cac edged down 0.03 per cent. [...]
Yanis Varoufakis gets official backing but Greek bailout deal proves elusive May 5, 2015 Greece's government yesterday said it backed finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and remained intent on securing extra bailout funding. However, comments from officials suggested talks with creditors may continue to stall ahead of two payments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – one tomorrow and another on 12 May totalling almost €1bn (£0.7bn). “The [...]
Cost of the weekly shop declines as supermarket price war rages on May 5, 2015 The cost of the average weekly grocery shop plunged by eight per cent year-on-year in May as fierce competition between the grocers continues to impact the market. Research by mySupermarket’s Groceries Tracker showed that a basket of 35 staple products across all major grocers cost a total of £86.69 in May, down from £93.87 12 [...]
Professional job vacancies soar as pay climbs in “further positive indicator of economic confidence” May 4, 2015 The professional jobs market has brushed off the UK economy’s weak start to the year, according to figures released today by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (Apsco) . Permanent openings for lawyers, accountants and engineers climbed 20 per cent in April compared with the same month last year. Demand is highest for engineers where [...]
Rising demand drives up total construction sector turnover May 4, 2015 UK construction firms saw a sharp rise in turnover last year, according to figures released today by BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions. Total turnover of the construction sector jumped six per cent year-on-year to £218bn in 2014. It is now 20.7 per cent above the low reached in the 2009-10 recession of £180bn. The surge in [...]
Monthly spare cash now £311 for Londoners as disposable income rises May 4, 2015 Londoners have £311 available to spend after paying for bills and essentials each month, according a report yesterday by financial services group Scottish Friendly. This amounts to 10 per cent of average London pay, an increase on the first three months of the year, when disposable income was at 9.1 per cent of income. Across [...]
Here are the most expensive places to rent outside of London May 1, 2015 A short supply of housing means London is becoming ever more crowded, which is stretching resources, pushing up prices, and prompting people to move further out. But before you make the leap into a cosy commuter town, it isn't necessarily any better elsewhere, as rents are still pretty high and you'll have to pay through [...]
UK unemployment has stalled, but it’s set to fall again under the Conservatives May 1, 2015 The nation's unemployment rate was heading a steep downward slope until the beginning of the year, but since January it has barely changed. Over the four months ending in April, the Adzuna unemployment predictor estimates the proportion of people out of work went down from 5.6 per cent to 5.58 per cent – this [...]
UK economy doing better than GDP figures suggest April 30, 2015 New data suggest that the UK’s economic growth has been understated by official figures, and is also likely to strengthen in the coming months. A survey of small and medium-sized manufacturers revealed that many saw increases in total domestic orders, output and employment in the three months to April. Firms are also expecting [...]
Eurozone inflation and jobs improve but recovery remains fragile, experts warn April 30, 2015 Inflation and unemployment in the Eurozone are gradually improving, but economists warn the currency bloc’s recovery is fragile. Prices failed to fall – or rise – registering zero change in April compared with the same month last year, figures released yesterday by Eurostat reveal. Inflation is now closer to the European Central Bank’s [...]