German business confidence is at its highest level since February 2014 December 19, 2016 Germany business confidence rose in December to hit its highest level in almost three years, data has revealed today. The Ifo economic institute, based in Munich, said its its business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, rose to 111.0 this month, from 110.4 in November – beating Reuters' forecast of 110.7. [...]
The manufacturing industry had some of the biggest job losses across the UK economy last year December 19, 2016 The UK manufacturing industry recorded some of the biggest job losses last year, impacted by international competition and technological advances. According to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young, the industry had some of the biggest job losses of all sectors across the UK economy. Out of 69 sectors measured for job creation, manufacturing made up three of [...]
Why rising longevity threatens to kill off the traditional City of London pay pyramid December 19, 2016 Many professional service and financial firms operate a pay pyramid – those at the top earn large multiples of those lower down the organisation. Average partner salaries in the Big Four accounting firms, for instance, are around £750,000 but around £40,000 for those starting out. Similar structures are found in law and finance. While undoubtedly [...]
China tops poll of UK investor expectations of highest stock returns in 2017 December 18, 2016 China will deliver the highest equity returns in 2017, despite prominent warnings that a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy presents one of the biggest risks to the global financial system, according to a poll of 9,000 UK investors. Over a quarter of UK investors believe that China will outperform every other major region, [...]
The UK is becoming less attractive for foreign investment after Brexit December 18, 2016 The country's position as the most attractive place in Europe for foreign investors is at risk in the long term without quick action from the government to secure confidence. The EY Attractiveness Survey, which measures investor sentiment among the world's top business leaders, found short-term confidence in the UK as a place to invest is holding [...]
It’d be a Christmas miracle if the chancellor delivered on these three festive reforms December 16, 2016 While Philip Hammond hasn’t been chancellor for long, he has already adopted George Osborne’s style of giveaways – the gifts aren’t simply bought by taxpayers, but are often funded by taxpayer money that hasn’t been raised yet. Of course, this kind of gift-giving rarely places the goods in the hands of the people who need [...]
Optimism about the UK economy drove business confidence up for November December 16, 2016 Business confidence increased in November, as political turbulence around the Brexit vote has contributed to a volatile climate for companies, according to a new survey. UK businesses saw a two-point increase to 111.1 in November, according to an index compiled by YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). A score of above [...]
It’s unanimous: Bank of England keeps interest rates on hold at 0.25 per cent December 15, 2016 The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) has unanimously voted to hold interest rates at 0.25 per cent. However, the MPC warned a slowdown in growth was still likely following the Brexit vote, although it added inflation will not rise as much as it had forecast. In minutes of its December meeting, it added [...]
Britain’s services trade can flourish outside the EU Single Market December 15, 2016 Negotiating sensible agreements on services trade with the EU, WTO and third countries may not be as difficult as many are suggesting. There are a number of options negotiators can pursue which would go beyond the existing arrangements and further liberalise services trade to Britain’s economic advantage. First, the issue of “passporting” will need to be [...]
Five reasons the Anglosphere is more than just a romantic vision – but has real geopolitical teeth December 15, 2016 The Anglosphere, a concept that can trace its lineage back to Winston Churchill’s A History of the English Speaking Peoples, has received renewed interest in the wake of the Brexit referendum. The idea of the Anglosphere has been advanced in recent times by a number of historians, such as Andrew Roberts (A History of the [...]