The International Monetary Fund has hiked its economic forecast for the UK this year and in 2018 January 16, 2017 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised up its UK growth forecasts for this year. The IMF's previous guidance, released in October last year, estimated the economy would grow by 1.1 per cent in 2017. But now the tables have turned – after higher-than-expected growth in the second half of last year, the IMF is [...]
2016 was the year the disillusioned screamed ‘enough’; 2017 must be the year of values-based leadership January 16, 2017 This year, the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos has developed its programme of events around the themes of responsive and responsible leadership. It could not come at a more critical time for the world’s elite. 2016 saw huge upheaval around the world and the beginnings of a complete restructuring of the world order. Some [...]
Economists slam Oxfam report on billionaires vs the world’s poorest people January 16, 2017 Economic think tanks have once again rounded on the annual global wealth distribution findings from charity Oxfam. Ahead of Davos 2017, which kicks off tomorrow, Oxfam released a report claiming that eight billionaires own the same wealth as the 3.6bn people who make up the poorest half of the world's population. The Institute of Economic Affairs [...]
Philip Hammond offers hard truths to the Germans January 16, 2017 While much of the weekend’s focus has been on what Theresa May could announce in her big Brexit speech tomorrow, it was her chancellor, Phillip Hammond, who made one of the more interesting interventions of the weekend. In an interview with a German newspaper Hammond poured cold water on the idea that the UK might [...]
City eyes best possible access to Europe’s Single Market January 16, 2017 The City is shifting to a new focus on best possible access to Europe's Single Market, rather than pinning hopes on continued membership of the trading bloc, as it prepares for the Prime Minister to announce a so-called clean Brexit tomorrow. In a much anticipated speech, Theresa May is expected to make clear the UK’s [...]
Growth in London’s business activity at 11-month high January 15, 2017 December saw the fastest period of growth in London’s business activity since January last year, according to a report by Lloyds Bank. London’s showing on the Lloyds Bank purchasing managers’ index (PMI) was up 56.1 points in December, from 55.3 in November. Despite the strong figures, London was behind most other UK regions for business [...]
Latest ONS data expected to show inflation at 1.5 per cent January 15, 2017 Data released by the Office for National Statistics this week is likely to show an uptick in inflation, a sign that the fall in the value of the pound is having an impact on prices. An inflation rate of 1.5 per cent in the consumer prices index for December would be a significant increase on [...]
Are we more or less happy after the Brexit vote? January 15, 2017 The unexpected and shock result of the vote to leave Europe is just one of the events that has in recent months illustrated an increasingly divided world. But, in this new territory of uncertain times, fake news, and where it sometime feels like up is down and black is white, just what effect is that having on [...]
Hammond hints Britain could lower corporate tax rate January 15, 2017 Britain will be forced to change its economic model if it does not have access to the European market after Brexit, chancellor Philip Hammond has said, responding to questioning on the UK becoming a tax haven in an interview with a German newspaper. A change to the UK's economic model would have to take place for [...]
Bye-bye Single Market? What to expect from Theresa May’s Brexit plan January 15, 2017 We know Brexit means Brexit, but Theresa May will finally tell the UK exactly what that means this week in the most significant speech of her premiership and setting the course for Britain's exit from the European Union. The Prime Minister will say that the UK is prepared to leave the Single Market, customs union [...]