Pay picking up but UK living costs still high October 21, 2013 BRITON’S incomes edged up for the first time in three months in October as the labour market strengthened, although pay growth still lagged far behind inflation, a survey showed this morning. An index measuring the change in income from employment compared with last month rose to 50.6 from 49.5 in September, just topping the neutral [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 21 October 2013 October 21, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Cameron to build on Royal Mail sale David Cameron is planning to build on the huge popularity of the Royal Mail privatisation by prioritising retail investors for the sell-offs ahead of the general election in 2015. Attracting retail investors will be a key aim as the government prepares to complete the sales of [...]
Huge subsidies to kickstart new UK nuclear plant October 20, 2013 A DEAL to build Britain’s first nuclear power station for two decades is expected to be revealed today after a year of negotiations over subsidies to be paid to the operators. French energy firm EDF and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will host the unveiling of Hinkley Point C today. EDF’s long-time [...]
Q and A: China’s nuclear fusion with Britain October 20, 2013 Q Why is a French firm teaming up with China to build power plants in Britain? A EDF has wanted to build a third nuclear station at Hinkley Point for years, but has been searching for a new investor after UK-listed Centrica quit in February. China has enough cash to get involved in pretty much [...]
SSE defends energy price rise as Archbishop hits out at Big Six October 20, 2013 ENERGY firm SSE last night defended its decision to raise prices, blaming wholesale prices and government policy for the hike. Its remarks come after the Archbishop of Canterbury squared up to Britain’s energy companies over their plans to up fuel bills this winter. Justin Welby, a former oil trader, said the so-called big six firms [...]
Think tank says HS2 must link up with regions October 20, 2013 NEW research on the controversial High Speed 2 project has found that the scheme could benefit the British economy – providing it is properly joined up to the rest of the rail network. The Independent Transport Commission found that the £42.6bn link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds will help regenerate regions near the route [...]
Bank policymaker says rates can start to rise without problems October 20, 2013 THE Bank of England (BoE) has some leeway to raise record low interest rates without causing pain to borrowers who have entered the housing market with the help of government lending schemes, BoE policymaker Ben Broadbent said in an interview yesterday. “The Bank of England has been around for over 300 years and we’ve never [...]
Business body calls for £620m Stansted plans October 20, 2013 A LEADING industry body has called on the government’s airports commission to commit to a £620m package of proposals that would improve rail access to Stansted Airport and cut journey times. London First – a business organisation that promotes the capital — has put forward a list of proposals that would cut the journey time [...]
Germany’s SPD lists demands for coalition deal October 20, 2013 GERMANY’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has listed its demands ahead of coalition talks this week with Angela Merkel. The party has agreed on 10 non-negotiable demands including a minimum wage of €8.50 ( £7.19) per hour, equal pay for men and women, greater investment in infrastructure and education, and a common strategy to boost Eurozone [...]
Juncker hangs onto power despite losses in snap Luxembourg elections October 20, 2013 THE party of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker suffered losses in the country’s elections last night, with its worst showing since 1999, but it will remain the largest in parliament, exit polls showed. The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) will have 23 seats in the 60-seat parliament, down three from the last elections in 2009. [...]
