Eurozone unemployment climbs to new high of 12.2 per cent in September October 31, 2013 Eurozone unemployment has risen to 12.2 per cent in September, while last month's figure of 12 per cent has also been revised up to the same level. Economists had expected unemployment to stay flat at the unrevised 12 per cent level. Unemployment in the European Union as a whole stood at 11 per cent in [...]
City sees a 56 fold increase in population during the working day October 31, 2013 Five local authorities across the UK see their populations soar by more than 100,000 during a workday, but the real explosion is seen in the City of London. During the day, the gains from usually resident to workday populations see a 56 fold increase in the City, according to 2011 Census data. The second greatest [...]
Italian unemployment climbs to new high in September October 31, 2013 Italian unemployment has seen another rise, climbing to a new high of 12.5 per cent in September, according to statisticians at Istat. Analysts had expected to see unemployment of just 12.2 per cent, but instead we've seen a leap up from 12.4 per cent prior (revised from 12.2 per cent). Istat now estimate that 22.3m [...]
Record coach volumes drive National Express revenue growth October 31, 2013 National Express has announced it is on course to deliver on revenue expectations for the year, after posting a five per cent revenue increase in the third quarter and a three per cent increase in the year to date. The growth in UK coach services and capital-light business opportunities contributed significantly to the group's growth. [...]
Royal Mail strike called off October 30, 2013 A Royal Mail worker strike planned for Monday has been called off by the Communication Workers Union (CWU). Progress was made following talks between the union and the company. There have been warnings of Royal Mail strikes all the way up to Christmas. Staff had already been offered an 8.6 per cent pay rise over [...]
Energy bills cut by £131 through collective switching October 30, 2013 More than 21,000 people saved an average of £131 on their electricity bills, according to a report released today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Consumers used collective switching – where they organise together to negotiate with their electricity providers, usually facilitated by a third party. The report, "Helping Consumers Switch: Collective Switching [...]
Banking risks too great to relax capital controls in Cyprus October 30, 2013 The Cypriot banking sector is too fragile to fully relax capital controls, according to London-based consultancy Capital Economics. The Cypriot finance ministry has been gradually relaxing capital controls and hopes to remove almost all by 2014. However the restriction on deposits leaving the country remains in place. Cyprus' economy is still mired in recession however [...]
Sponsored tube stations could fund free 4G, lifts, TV screens and underground toilets October 30, 2013 Sponsorship of the Oyster system and other sponsorship opportunities could allow Transport for London (TfL) to actively improve stations – introducing free wireless and 4G connectivity, TV screens, lifts, and even toilets for passengers. The report “Sealing the Deal: TfL sponsorship feasibility study” by Gareth Bacon of GLA Conservatives says that there is a potential [...]
Management consultancy tie-up as PwC and Booz & Co agree merger October 30, 2013 A big tie-up in management consultancy, as PwC – one of the big four accountancy giants – has announced a conditional merger agreement with Booz & Co. Booz's 300 partners will now have to vote that deal through in December if it is to proceed. In September PwC said that it had adjusted to a [...]
US mortgage applications jump over six per cent in one week as rates drop October 30, 2013 Mortgage applications have risen by 6.4 per cent in the week to 25 October according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The MBA's 30 year fixed mortgage rate fell from 4.39 per cent to 4.33 per cent. Lower rates = more mortgages #simples — World First (@World_First) October 30, 2013