UK inflation rises above two per cent target as energy costs increase May 22, 2019 The UK’s core inflation rate climbed to 2.1 per cent in April, as rising energy costs pushed up by the higher Ofgem price cap fed into dearer prices in the economy, official statistics have revealed. Read more: UK economy bounces back, but is growth just a ‘flash in the pan’? Traditionally, inflation above the Bank [...]
The extremist Green party is trying to overthrow capitalism May 22, 2019 The Green Party is doing well. It gained nearly 200 council seats in the recent local elections and is hoping for a strong showing in the European ones this week. Publicity over school children going “on strike” to protest about climate change has helped. With politicians competing to fawn over the truants, the Green Party [...]
Puzzled over Australia’s shock election result? Economics can help explain May 22, 2019 The surprise of the week was the re-election of the centre-right Coalition government in the Australian General Election. The Labor opposition had led every major opinion poll for the past two years. But Scott Morrison of the Coalition is still Prime Minister – and it is his Labor opponent who is resigning as leader. Economists, regardless [...]
US-China trade tensions a major threat to global growth, says OECD May 21, 2019 Global economic growth is under threat from the escalating US-China trade conflict, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned. Read more: Global markets in tailspin after Trump threatens huge China tariff rise The OECD’s closely-watched Economic Outlook said if current tariffs between the two countries are maintained, they will shave between 0.2 [...]
Britain’s small businesses deserve a simpler, fairer tax system May 21, 2019 “When you look after small business,” Sajid Javid said last week, “you look after Britain”. But too often, he admitted, the government has focused its attention elsewhere – big government finding it easier to talk to big business than small. Britain has an enviable record of company creation. Indeed, alongside our stellar job creation rates, [...]
Sterling falls below $1.27 for first time since early January as Brexit fears intensify May 21, 2019 Sterling has fallen below $1.27 for the first time since the beginning of the year as Brexit fears intensify. It comes as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to unveil her “new and improved” Brexit plan to her Cabinet this afternoon in a bid to pass a deal through parliament at the fourth time of asking. [...]
Millennials increasingly pessimistic about the economy, finds Deloitte May 20, 2019 Pessimism among younger people about the economy is growing in the UK and worldwide, according to a comprehensive new survey of millennials and generation z workers. Read more: Insolvencies among millenials soar as housing costs shred ‘cash cushions’ Only 26 per cent of respondents said they expected the economies in their countries to improve in [...]
Trump delays car tariffs decision on EU and Japan by six months May 17, 2019 US President Donald Trump has delayed imposing tariffs on imported cars by six months to allow for negotiations with the EU and Japan. Global markets rallied yesterday following reports of the six-month delay and the White House confirmed the move today. Read more: Global stocks reverse falls after reports Trump will delay auto tariffs A [...]
Eurozone core rate revised up as inflation hits estimates May 17, 2019 Eurozone prices rose by 1.7 per cent in April, in line with previous forecasts, while core inflation beat expectations. Consumer prices in the bloc rose 1.7 per cent higher year-on-year from 1.4 per cent in March, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat. Read more: Eurozone trade surplus grows in sign of recovery for struggling area [...]
Eurozone trade surplus grows in sign of recovery for struggling area May 16, 2019 The Eurozone achieved a better-than-expected trade in goods surplus in March, official statistics revealed today, in the latest sign of economic recovery on the continent. Read more: Global stocks reverse falls after reports Trump will delay auto tariffs Meanwhile the European Union’s trade in goods deficit with China grew and its surplus with the US [...]