Forget Reeves’ CV – there’s a bigger transparency problem in monetary policy November 28, 2024 The real discussion shouldn’t be about whether Reeves deserves to call herself an “economist”. It should focus on the unchecked power of current central bank leaders, the far-reaching consequences of their decisions, and how we hold them to account, says Tim Focas The recent controversy over Rachel Reeves’ tenure as an economist at the Bank [...]
MPs flag ‘major concerns’ over errors in labour survey November 21, 2024 An influential group of MPs has taken aim at the UK’s national numbers body today amid fears that errors in its labour survey are hamstringing “accurate” economic policy making. The chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Meg Hillier – a Labour MP – wrote to the boss of the UK Statistics Authority, Professor Sir Ian [...]
Inflation surprise scuppers hope of Christmas interest rate cut November 20, 2024 A bigger than expected rise in inflation last month has all but scuppered hopes of a cut to interest rates by the Bank of England in December. While economists had been expecting rising energy prices to push inflation beyond the Bank of England’s two per cent target last month, a sharper than expected lift in [...]
Lidl boss warns retailers are ‘reeling’ after Budget tax raid November 20, 2024 The boss of budget supermarket Lidl has warned retailers are “reeling” following Labour’s tax raid in the Autumn Budget. The German supermarket’s UK boss Ryan McDonnell said the discount brand was staring down the barrel of “tens of millions of pounds” in extra costs. This comes after the Chancellor unveiled a £25.7bn tax-raising package, with [...]
Retailers ‘right’ to warn of Budget job cuts, says Bank of England governor November 19, 2024 The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has said a group of retailers were “right” to warn of sweeping job cuts as a result of Labour’s punishing £40bn tax raid at the Budget. A group of Britain’s biggest supermarkets and retail chains, including Tesco, M&S, Boots and B&Q, wrote to the Chancellor Rachel [...]
Is Brexit back on the agenda after Mansion House? November 15, 2024 Reeves said that the economy faced "structural challenges" as a result of Brexit, which simply added to an already long list of obstacles to economic growth.
Bank of England boss touts benefits of free trade as Trump tariffs loom November 14, 2024 With protectionism coming back into fashion around the world, Bailey owned up to being an "old-fashioned free trader at heart".
Prospect of fewer rate cuts buoys sterling and UK-focused stocks November 7, 2024 The pound and UK-focused stocks rose this afternoon after the Bank of England indicated it would take a more “gradual” approach to cutting rates in the year ahead. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to lower the base rate to 4.75 per cent in a widely anticipated move that follows a sharp fall in [...]
The Bank of England has a lot to be cautious about November 7, 2024 The Bank of England's latest interest rate decision could hardly have come at a busier time.
Bank of England cuts interest rates but warns Budget will stoke inflation November 7, 2024 The Bank of England's rate decision comes just a week after the Budget.