Labour market loosens as UK records surge in job seekers following hiring slowdown June 8, 2023 The UK’s labour market recorded a surge in candidates looking for roles last month amid a continued slump in hiring, easing the rate of starting salary inflation. The supply of labour in the UK increased for the third month in a row, with the rate of people looking for jobs increasing at its fastest rate [...]
UK economy: OECD upgrades forecasts but still predicts recession knife-edge June 7, 2023 The UK economy will continue to lag behind other countries in the group of seven (G7) advanced economies this year, despite improved growth projections, new analysis has shown. Only Germany, which fell into a recession over the start of the year and is set to stagnate throughout 2023, will perform worse than the UK. Analysis [...]
House building tumbles to lowest level in three years in blow to homeownership dreams June 7, 2023 House building has tumbled to its lowest level in three years in another blow to the homeownership dreams of millions of Brits, a closely watched survey out yesterday revealed. According to S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) latest construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI), the rate of new houses being rolled [...]
Pound on course for highest level against US dollar in over a year, City analysts bet June 7, 2023 Pound sterling could end 2023 at its highest level in more than a year, strengthened by the Bank of England continuing to hike interest rates and the Federal Reserve taking its foot off the brake, analysts have told City A.M. The UK’s currency may strengthen to $1.30 toward the end of this year, driven by [...]
FTSE 100 close: London index retraces losses on softer pound June 6, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 retraced losses today, shaking off investor fears over the risk of the effects of a US recession rippling throughout the global economy. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.37 per cent to 7,628.11 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, jumped [...]
Investment slump amid higher interest rates risks finally sparking UK recession June 6, 2023 A mix of factors are buffeting the UK economy right now. Spending power is being crushed by high inflation eroding family finances. House prices are coming off their heady heights as sellers drop prices to source buyers amid higher mortgage rates. External demand is thinning in response to weak consumer confidence amid a global cost [...]
FTSE 100 close: US recession jitters outweigh oil price surge on London index June 5, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 lost momentum in the afternoon session today after new data revealed the US economy is wilting under the weight of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes. The capital’s premier index slipped 0.1 per cent to 7,600 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of [...]
Families splashing cash despite high inflation and interest rates fuels services growth June 5, 2023 Families splashing the cash despite high inflation and interest rates crimping their budgets is keeping Britain’s services economy motoring along, a closely watched survey out today shows. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the services sector, which generates about £2 in every £3 in [...]
British businesses mull ‘onshoring’ supply chains in response to soaring costs June 5, 2023 Snags in international supply chains lingering on from the Covid-19 pandemic are steering mid-sized businesses toward bringing their production lines back to the UK, a new survey out last night showed. Research by consultancy BDO found just under 50 per cent of the 500 firms they surveyed are considering “onshoring” as much of their operations [...]
London seals European finance investment crown every year since Brexit June 5, 2023 London is beating away the dire warnings that Brexit would knock it off its perch as Europe’s top finance hive and is even drawing in more investors amid high inflation and interest rates, a new report out today unveils. Foreign investors pumped cash into 46 financial services projects in the capital last year, up from [...]