Retail sales bounce back as consumer spending continues to support the economy February 23, 2017 Retail sales rebounded in February after a dip to start the year, a new survey shows, as consumer spending continues to hold up despite inflation increases. Two in five retailers reported increased volumes in February to give a positive balance of nine per cent, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) survey of distributive [...]
Brexit was the result of fake news narratives says the European Central Bank’s chief economist February 23, 2017 The UK’s vote to leave the EU was swayed by “negative popular narratives”, according to the chief economist of the European Central Bank (ECB). Speaking in London, Peter Praet noted “fake news can flourish nowadays” owing to new technologies. He then added: “The outcome of the UK referendum can be partly attributed to the decades-long [...]
British exporters are confident ahead of Brexit as Article 50 trigger looms February 23, 2017 Confidence among British exporters has jumped ahead of the official start of the Brexit process, a new poll shows, as revised figures reveal a 4.1 per cent increase in exports boosting UK growth at the end of 2016. A balance of 43 per cent of manufacturing firms expect turnover to increase over the next year, as Britain begins [...]
Clear off: City of London steps up fight to retain euro clearing after expert warnings against “currency nationalism” February 22, 2017 High-profile regulators, politicians and financial experts have warned that any move by the European Union to force euro clearing out of London could have grave consequences for global economic stability. Sir Jon Cunliffe, the deputy governor of the Bank of England who supervises financial stability, hit out at “currency nationalism” on Wednesday, saying: “Such a policy if [...]
Wrenching euro clearing out of London after Brexit will harm financial stability, warns the Bank of England’s deputy governor February 22, 2017 Dragging euro clearing out of London after Brexit could pose a risk to global financial stability and push up transaction costs, according to a deputy governor of the Bank of England (BoE). Sir Jon Cunliffe, who supervises financial stability for the Bank, hit out at “currency nationalism” as policymakers wrangle over the fate of euro [...]
UK growth revised upwards at end of year after manufacturing boost, but weaker first quarter drags on 2016 overall February 22, 2017 The UK economy grew faster than previously thought in the last three months of 2016, with the manufacturing sector delivering a late boost to growth after a weaker first quarter. Growth for the year was revised down to 1.8 per cent from two per cent after a slower performance in the first three months of [...]
Fortunes diverge between Europe and US as euro falls to six-week lows and global stocks hit record highs February 22, 2017 The euro fell to six-week lows against the US dollar on Wednesday morning as fears of political chaos stand in contrast to continued bullishness on global stock markets, which reached fresh record highs. The euro fell to a low of $1.0498 against the dollar today, its lowest since the beginning of January, sending the dollar index [...]
UK boosts position as largest investor in India as the government looks to step up trade deals outside Europe February 22, 2017 The UK boosted its position as the largest foreign investor in India among the G20 group of the richest nations, according to a new report, as the government looks to boost trade ties with the largest Commonwealth nation. Investment increased by $1.87bn (£1.5bn) over the course of 2016, according to a report by the Confederation of [...]
Uncertainty named as top challenge for UK employers ahead of triggering of Article 50 February 22, 2017 Uncertainty around the economy and politics has been cited as the top concern by British businesses despite a tightening labour market, according to a new poll. Over a third of UK businesses cited uncertainty as the main challenge to trading, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), ahead of the government's planned triggering of [...]
A smooth Brexit could lead to tighter monetary policy according to the Bank of England’s Mark Carney February 21, 2017 A smooth Brexit process would lead to a faster rate of interest rate increases, according to the Bank of England’s governor, Mark Carney If the process of the UK leaving the EU moves “relatively smoothly to an increasingly clear end point” it would “be consistent with a higher path of interest rates,” Carney said, in [...]
