Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia: Three ways UK firms can prosper post-Brexit October 24, 2019 This is an important moment for business across the UK. Whatever the final outcome of the Brexit negotiations, as business leaders we have to keep our eyes on the big picture – which means thinking years and not days ahead. I believe the fundamentals of the UK are strong. The onus now is on business [...]
Mario Draghi’s ECB reign ends with Eurozone ‘close to stagnation’ October 24, 2019 The Eurozone economy stayed “close to stagnation” in October as European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi prepares to step down. Read more: Two highs and two lows of ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s reign at the ECB The recession in the euro area’s manufacturing sector continued with another steep decline in output. Meanwhile, the crucial services [...]
Two highs and two lows of ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s reign at the ECB October 23, 2019 Mario Draghi will tomorrow chair his final monetary policy meeting as president of the European Central Bank (ECB), bringing to an end a dramatic eight years in the job. Read more: Euro plunges as ECB president Mario Draghi signals more stimulus The Eurozone crisis, a long-running argument with Germany, and the US-China trade war are [...]
Uncertainty to weigh on economy even after Brexit deal, warns Moody’s October 23, 2019 Uncertainty will continue to hold back the UK economy even if Britain passes Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, credit rating agency Moody’s has warned. Read more: Brexit latest: Brussels edges towards 31 January extension Yesterday’s vote by MPs to in principle approve the deal means “the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU with [...]
UK happiness index: Brits grew happier before March Brexit deadline October 23, 2019 Britons became happier over the course of the year to March, new figures have shown today, but those in Northern Ireland grew sadder and more anxious as the original Brexit deadline approached. Read more: UK unemployment fall pushes earnings growth to 11-year high On mainland Britain, people’s happiness increased – according to the Office for [...]
Until Scotland’s currency puzzle is solved, independence is economically delusional October 23, 2019 The possibility of Scottish independence is back on the political agenda once again. And one question – which currency would an independent Scotland use? – that was crucial in the 2014 referendum has still not been resolved. The informal use of the pound is a very risky option. To see why, the Scottish National Party [...]
Four ways the Brexit deal could change Britain’s economy October 22, 2019 MPs are once again poised to vote on Boris Johnson’s “great new Brexit deal,” following the official release of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill by the government. Read more: Government threatens to pull Brexit bill if MPs vote against timetable Should the House of Commons today pass the bill alongside a motion to ram through legislation [...]
UK manufacturing firms planning lowest investment since financial crisis October 22, 2019 British manufacturing companies are planning to invest at the lowest rate since the financial crisis next year, a survey showed today, as Brexit uncertainty batters the sector. Read more: What’s in the WAB? Government’s Brexit bill explained The sector’s slowdown worsened in the three months to October, with orders for products falling at the fastest [...]
Government borrowing jumps by a fifth in run up to Brexit October 22, 2019 UK public borrowing shot up by a fifth in the first six months of the financial year, figures have shown, as promises of extra spending spelled the end of Conservative debt reduction. Read more: Sajid Javid promises to increase national living wage to £10.50 The UK public sector had to borrow £9.4bn in September to [...]
‘Legitimacy crisis’: Bank of England needs new policies and more transparency, says report October 22, 2019 The Bank of England needs major reform to maintain the public’s trust, including the creation of a credit policy and a new approach to choosing the next governor, research and campaign group Positive Money has said. Read more: Bank of England’s Mark Carney defends move not to publish governor shortlist However, some economists have pushed [...]