Glaring contradiction at heart of government growth agenda January 28, 2025 In the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 (stay with me) the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading were abolished, and in their place emerged the Competition and Markets Authority. The 2013 Act enshrined the regulator’s remit and responsibilities, with a hefty focus on protecting consumers. On the CMA’s website, they summarise [...]
CMA to “brainstorm” growth ideas with business groups as pressure mounts January 27, 2025 The competition watchdog is set to be grilled by some of the UK’s biggest business bodies tomorrow as it looks to shore up confidence following the ousting of its chair by ministers last week. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has faced anger from both the government and private sector over what has been [...]
Interest rate calls from ECB and Fed to highlight Atlantic growth divergence January 27, 2025 The decisions will highlight the differing economic outlooks on either side of the Atlantic.
Firms slash jobs and hike prices as Reeves’ Budget fallout continues January 24, 2025 UK businesses hiked prices and cut staff in January, a new survey shows, as firms continued to struggle in the wake of October’s Budget. The latest ‘flash’ purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which reflects business activity in the private sector, showed employment levels decreasing for the fourth month in a row. “Many firms suggested that the [...]
UK economy: ‘Consumers see dark days ahead’ January 24, 2025 GfK's overall consumer confidence index fell to -22, which was down five points on December and put confidence at its lowest level since the end of 2023.
UK economy: Does Labour’s economic hotchpotchism matter? January 21, 2025 Although gilt jitters have eased, the embattled Chancellor now faces a new and far more serious criticism.
Going for growth is a game of risk that ministers must embrace January 21, 2025 In the words of the Lord Mayor of London, “the only way you get growth is via risk.” Alastair King made this observation early in November last year, before it was fashionable. These days, it seems everyone’s discovering their appetite for risk. The notion that professional regulators could magic up some pro-growth policies has attracted [...]
UK economy: Only three sectors report growth as Reeves’ woes deepen January 20, 2025 The number of sectors seeing higher output in December was at its lowest level since September 2023.
Labour’s appeal to regulators is about blame-shifting, not growth January 20, 2025 Labour has appealed to the regulators for ideas to boost the economy, but Britain can’t regulate its way to growth, writes Eliot Wilson After six months of a Labour government, it would be hard to argue the economy is healthy. The economy flatlined in July, August and September, the hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions [...]
The Week in Business, with Christian May: anyone got any growth ideas? January 17, 2025 This week, City AM Editor Christian May looks at the government's search for growth and asks whether the UK's army of regulators are best placed to help.