Westminster must relax its grip on the purse string to fix regional inequalities February 2, 2022 Last week, Michael Gove visited Wolverhampton as he prepared to release the levelling up white paper out today. The central aim of this government has been to re-energise regions across the country to ensure investment and opportunities are shared widely. In the West Midlands, we have already begun the journey to create more opportunities and [...]
Shop price inflation highest in a decade as Brits feel cost of living squeeze February 2, 2022 Retail inflation has soared in the past month, with Brits eyeing discount retailers for cheaper prices as the country faces a cost of living squeeze. Shop price annual inflation surged to 1.5 per cent in January, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen IQ shop price index. This was up from 0.8 per [...]
Uncertainty from our leaders is keeping our economic recovery wavering on the brink February 2, 2022 In November last year, the UK’s total GDP output finally regained its pre-pandemic level. But although the economic recovery is on an upward trajectory, there is a disconcerting stop-start hesitancy to it. A reasonable indicator of where the economy stands in any given month is the purchasing managers’ index which shows the prevailing direction of [...]
Crypto VC boom shows no sign of stopping in 2022 February 2, 2022 Last year saw an explosion in crypto VC investment, with $31.6bn poured into projects in 2021. The momentum shows no sign of stopping in 2022.
UK law enforcement regime not ‘up to the job’ to prevent anti-money laundering, MPs warn February 2, 2022 The UK’s law enforcement regime is not “up to the job” to prevent fraud and money laundering infiltrating the country’s financial system, according to findings by an influential group of cross-party MPs published today. It is far too easy for financial criminals to clean dirty money through Britain and the government needs to urgently strengthen [...]
Unvaccinated health staff are irresponsible but it’s our failure if we can’t reach them February 2, 2022 On Monday, Sajid Javid axed plans to require health and care staff to have had a Covid-19 vaccine. In the context of an incredibly fragile NHS workforce, already groaning under the weight of staff shortages, emotional strain and self-isolation requirements, this was sensible. But by invoking a sense of “proportion” as rationale for removing the [...]
Women could pump £2.2 trillion into global investments if hurdles were removed February 2, 2022 New data has revealed that women could add more than $3 trillion (£2.2 trillion) to global investments if the opportunities were levelled and barriers were broken.
Turnaround for Santander as bank takes home over €8bn in 2021 February 2, 2022 Spanish bank Santander took home over €8.1bn (£6.7bn) in 2021 profits, after enjoying its most profitable quarter for 12 years.
Levelling up: UK aims to create ‘global city’ in every part of country by 2030 February 2, 2022 The government will offer every English region the chance to have a “London-style mayor” in a bid to create a “globally competitive city” in every part of the UK by 2030, a landmark paper into Boris Johnson’s levelling up policy today revealed. Johnson’s trademark policy will see the government commit to increase public research and [...]
Staff at financial watchdog back action over pay February 1, 2022 Employees at the UK’s financial watchdog have voted to go on strike over proposed changes to pay and benefits at the agency. Unite the union said members who work at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action, with 87 per cent supporting the plans. This means that Unite can now [...]
