More data points to UK economy avoiding recession but experts urge Hunt to prevent investment cliff edge at March budget March 1, 2023 The prospect of the UK avoiding a recession after a batch of better than expected recent data has propelled business confidence higher, a closely watched survey out today shows. Optimism among company leaders jumped 11 points to minus 17 this month, shifting it back to levels seen when the government launched Plan B measures to [...]
Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt must help families with soaring childcare bills to strengthen UK economy, CBI urges March 1, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt should help young families with the cost of childcare to tackle worker shortages that are holding back the UK economy, the country’s largest business lobby group has urged today. British households have been spiked by a 60 per cent cash terms rise in childcare bills over the last decade, far [...]
Sunak’s Northern Ireland deal is a foundation stone for a better relation with the EU March 1, 2023 Rishi Sunak's deal for Northern Ireland is an achievement. The positive relationship between the PM and Ursula von der Leyen, moreover, is a stepping stone for the EU-UK relationship, writes Rory O'Donnell
Digital Pound: Busting the privacy myths February 28, 2023 Martin Hargreaves, Chief Product Officer with Quant, debunks some of the myths he believes surround the advent of the digital pound.
‘Total Coke addict’ Rishi Sunak says he’s cut down to drinking one a week February 28, 2023 Rishi Sunak insisted he has cut down to drinking one Coke a week as he visited a Coca-Cola bottling plant. The Prime Minister previously revealed he had a particular taste for Coca-Cola, describing himself as a “total Coke addict” in an interview with two school children in 2019, and that it left him with seven [...]
Fintech ‘innovation hubs’ set to launch around the UK in levelling up push February 28, 2023 A host of “innovation hubs” are set to be launched in cities across the UK today as part of a Treasury-backed plans to boost the growth of fintech beyond London. The hubs have been announced as part of the launch of the new Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT), a key recommendation of the [...]
Brexit deal: Sunak says Northern Ireland in ‘unbelievably special position’ with access to both UK AND EU markets February 28, 2023 Rishi Sunak insisted that his new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland addressed the concerns of unionists despite the “small and limited” role for European Union law and its court – while giving Belfast an “unbelievably special position”. The Prime Minister, who was visiting Northern Ireland to sell the deal secured with the European Union, said [...]
End of Bank of England £800bn bond buying scheme poses headaches for Treasury and taxpayers February 28, 2023 The magic money tree is shedding its leaves. Over a decade of cheap cash propping up the global economy has been toppled by a once in a generation inflation problem. QE was a necessary response to the batch of shocks ricocheting around the global economy since 2008. Now it’s shifted into reverse. But how did [...]
IFS: No room for tax cuts or spending rises at March budget despite Jeremy Hunt pocketing £60bn windfall February 28, 2023 There is no room for tax cuts or spending increases at the 15 March budget despite Jeremy Hunt being handed an around £60bn windfall from lower energy prices and interest rates, a top economic think tank has forecast today. The Chancellor will be held back from handing households and businesses a tax giveaway due to [...]
The Notebook: Andy Silvester on the City’s ecosystem, a cricket charity and ‘no bullsh*t’ books February 28, 2023 As a child, I was fascinated by trains – not necessarily how diesel engines worked, but how the various moving parts of a train system worked together. Alas, the space limits of a terraced house in south London meant that my dream to build an entire train set across the top floor were thwarted. The [...]