Reform childcare system to unlock 10 per cent GDP growth by 2025, think tank says March 7, 2023 A think tank has called on the government to reform its “disproportionate and illogical” childcare policies, citing OECD data that it could boost GDP growth by up to 10 per cent by 2025 In a new report published today, the Adam Smith Institute said the UK’s childcare system is holding back the UK’s growth because [...]
Retail sales: Shoppers feeling the love in lead up to Valentine’s Day not enough to protect sector from ‘volatile trading conditions’ March 7, 2023 Shoppers scrambling for gifts in the lead up to Valentine’s Day helped boost retail sales in February, however the sector has warned that it’s still facing “volatile trading conditions”. According to figures published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK total retail sales increased by 5.2 per cent in February as consumers showed they were [...]
UK gender pay gap widens as childcare costs worsen ‘motherhood penalty’ March 7, 2023 The UK’s gender pay gap has widened as sharp increases in the cost of childcare has worsened a “motherhood penalty”, pricing many women out of work altogether, according to a new report. The nation’s average pay gap widened by 2.4 percentage points to 14.4 per cent in 2021, accountancy giant PwC found in its Women [...]
Cost of living crisis: One in seven Brits have skipped meals because they cannot afford to eat March 7, 2023 One in seven people have skipped meals due to the rising cost of living, according to a survey. Almost one in 10 have prioritised meals for other family members above themselves and 4% have used a food bank, the Which? consumer insight tracker found. Some seven in 10 (72 per cent) have turned the heating [...]
UK falling behind EU rivals in green steel race, climate group warns March 7, 2023 The UK is falling further behind its European rivals in the race to develop green steel plants, according to a top climate think tank.
Eon set for hiring spree to handle strain of energy crisis on customers March 7, 2023 Renewable supplier Eon Next has announced plans to hire more than 1,300 people to improve its services for customers.
China will get old before it gets rich and a waning Beijing is a more direct threat March 7, 2023 China faces an ageing population and a western world increasingly alive to the threat it poses; Beijing isn’t dangerous because it will outpace the US, it’s as China falls behind, Xi Jinping is more likely to lash out, writes John Hulsman.
A tipple could help Hunt through his budget and investors through further inflation March 7, 2023 Whisky casks are quickly growing into one of the most popular "alternative assets". The older the cask, the better it tastes, giving you a strong return that hedges against inflation, writes Simon Aron
Love it or loathe it, VAT free shopping only makes our tax system even more unwieldy March 7, 2023 If you want to give luxury stores a leg up at the expense of local businesses and create an even more complicated tax system - VAT free shopping is for you, writes Ben Ramanauskas.
Labour’s business charm offensive is an attempt to right the ship March 6, 2023 As Labour headed further left under Corbyn, business ran scared from the party fearing higher taxes and heavy-handed nationalisation – all roundly rejected by voters. But Starmer has steered the ship around and is leading a business charm offensive. His efforts to win over big business have been branded the ‘Prawn Cocktail Offensive 2.0’ in [...]
