US economic growth beats expectations but Fed still set to cut rates October 30, 2019 US economic growth slowed in the third quarter but beat expectations as consumer spending and higher exports offset a fall in business investment. Read more: S&P 500 hits all-time high on trade and Fed optimism The US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.9 per cent between July and September, the US Commerce Department [...]
The economic impact of Brexit tariffs only tells us half the story October 30, 2019 Brexit is about much more than the economic costs and benefits, but the idea that the former dramatically outweigh the latter has become the received wisdom in much of the media. Report after report emerges which purports to show that, under any of the various trade arrangements envisaged, the UK will be worse off as [...]
Number in low-paid jobs hits record low but wages suffer October 29, 2019 The proportion of people in low-paid jobs fell to its lowest level on record last year, official figures showed today, thanks in large part to a rising minimum wage. Read more: UK women earn £263,000 less than men over working lives Nonetheless, when adjusted for inflation median pay was almost three per cent lower than [...]
Spending watchdog to publish forecasts despite scrapping of Budget October 29, 2019 The UK’s tax and spending watchdog has said it will publish an updated version of its March fiscal forecasts next month, despite chancellor Sajid Javid cancelling his Budget due to the Brexit extension. Read more: Chancellor Sajid Javid admits 31 October Brexit deadline ‘can’t be met’ The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) also said that [...]
Gender pay gap: UK women earn £263,000 less than men over working life October 29, 2019 British women will earn £263,000 less than their male counterparts over their life, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS study shows that the average working woman can expect to take home 59 per cent of what the average man takes home. Read more: UK inflation stays at Bank [...]
UK spending rules should focus on investments rather than debt, economists say October 29, 2019 The UK needs new rules on taxing and spending in order to adequately tackle the major economic challenges the country looks set to face over the next decade, a new report has said. Read more: Hey, big spender: IFS boss Paul Johnson on the end of economic orthodoxy Rather than simply focusing on public debt [...]
Wealthy UK cities showing resilience to retail downturn October 28, 2019 A group of wealthy cities such as London and Cambridge are faring relatively well during the UK retail sector’s downturn while shops in poorer and more rural areas suffer, a new report has said. Read more: Retailers brace for tough Christmas as confidence slumps Shopping parks have also shown resilience as the bricks-and-mortar retail sector [...]
UK rises up World Bank ease of business ranking October 24, 2019 The UK is one of the top 10 countries for doing business in the world, according to a new World Bank study, thanks to the ease of starting a firm, protection of investments and insolvency resolutions. Read more: UK economy close to recession after stagnant services sector data In the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 [...]
Mario Draghi defends his record at final ECB meeting October 24, 2019 Mario Draghi defended his use of unconventional monetary policy today at his final rate-setting meeting as European Central Bank (ECB) president, where he left interest rates on hold at record-low levels. Read more: ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s ECB odyssey comes to an end The ECB’s key deposit interest rate will stay at minus 0.5 per cent. [...]
UK mortgage approvals slip to six-month low October 24, 2019 The number of new mortgages approved by UK banks fell to a six-month low in September, survey data has revealed, suggesting Britain’s property market is slowing as Brexit uncertainty continues. Read more: UK house prices suffer slowest October rise since 2008 Banking trade association UK Finance said banks gave the green light to 42,310 loans [...]