Eurozone manufacturing sector suffers worst month in seven years October 1, 2019 The Eurozone’s manufacturing sector suffered its worst month in seven years in September, according to a closely-followed industry survey, as the malaise in the area’s economy shows no sign of relenting. Read more: Sterling sinks after ‘simply shocking’ manufacturing data Factory output decreased markedly in September, with IHS Markit’s Eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) [...]
Job losses mount as no-deal Brexit fears hit UK manufacturing output October 1, 2019 The UK manufacturing sector could be sliding into recession as output remained in the red and job losses piled up in September, according to a closely-followed industry measure. Factory activity hit 48.3 on IHS Markit’s UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) last month, data revealed today. Read more: ‘Grim’ reading: Eurozone manufacturing sector hits seven-year [...]
City minister John Glen warns against turning away from EU rules post-Brexit September 30, 2019 City minister John Glen has warned that the UK must think carefully about its regulation options post-Brexit, arguing that EU rules had been the “hallmark of our credibility”. The economic secretary to the Treasury struck a cautious tone while discussing regulation for financial services sector, saying that while it was important that the UK “maximised” [...]
Business groups urge caution over chancellor’s minimum wage rise plan September 30, 2019 British business groups have urged caution over chancellor Sajid Javid’s pledge to markedly increase the minimum wage while welcoming his confirmation that he will boost spending on infrastructure. Read more: Sajid Javid to increase national living wage to £10.50 In his speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester, Javid announced an increase of the minimum [...]
Sajid Javid promises to increase National Living Wage to £10.50 September 30, 2019 Chancellor Sajid Javid has vowed to hike the National Living Wage to £10.50 within the next five years. Speaking to a busy Tory Party Conference hall, Javid said he would also ensure 21-year-olds can qualify for the National Living Wage. Currently the threshold is set at 25 years old. Read more: Chancellor Sajid Javid sets [...]
UK first quarter growth revised upwards but picture remains stark September 30, 2019 The UK economy did better in the first quarter of the year than originally expected, official figures showed today, as stockpiling for the March Brexit date boosted growth. Read more: UK economy close to recession after stagnant service sector data Yet the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed gloomy figures for the second quarter of [...]
UK consumer credit growth slows to five-year low September 30, 2019 British customers increased their borrowing at the slowest rate since 2014 in August, official statistics showed today, in a sign that Brexit uncertainty is weighing on consumer confidence. Read more: Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut The annual growth rate of lending to British consumers continued to slow in August, [...]
UK firms most pessimistic in eight years amid political crisis September 29, 2019 British businesses were at their most pessimistic in eight years in the three months to September, a survey showed today, as the country’s political crisis dragged down expectations of growth. Read more: Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut The CBI’s latest monthly report showed the gauge of future expectations of [...]
Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut September 27, 2019 Sterling fell today as a top official at the Bank of England flagged a possible interest rate cut to offset continued Brexit uncertainty. The pound fell to its lowest value against the dollar in almost three weeks as BoE official Michael Saunders said the Bank may lower interest rates. “Quite why this is moving the [...]
Bank of England could cut interest rates if Brexit uncertainty persists, says MPC member September 27, 2019 The Bank of England may need to cut interest rates even if a no-deal Brexit is avoided, according to a member of the monetary policy committee (MPC), which sets the rates. Michael Saunders has said that the Bank may have to cut rates if the “slow puncture” effect on the economy from Brexit uncertainty persists. [...]