When the chips are down: the tiny piece missing from our supply chains November 30, 2021 If you haven’t already bought your tech gifts this Christmas you may have to come up with some more primitive alternatives for your loved ones. Chronic shortages of chips, the tiny semiconductors that are essential to a myriad of technologies, as well as high labor and transport costs, mean that Christmas gifts this year such [...]
Mel Stride MP urges chancellor to slash taxes to ease cost of living crisis November 29, 2021 The chairman of an influential group of MPs that scrutinises the spending plans of the government has told Tory chancellor Rishi Sunak to slash taxes to ease the cost of living crisis looming over Brits. Speaking to the PA news agency, Conservative MP Mel Stride, who chairs the Treasury Committee, called on the chancellor to [...]
Bumper Black Friday and cyber Monday sales are a relic of old consumer habits November 27, 2021 For small businesses, the weekend of bumper sales from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday is not just a race they cannot keep up with, it is a race right to the bottom. No wonder most independents are not taking part. The now classic Black Friday sale is big on discounts and small on nuance. [...]
Soaring inflation in construction could spell disaster for housing in England November 25, 2021 The construction industry has been hit badly by inflation. Material prices are up: in terms of year on year increase, structural steel is at 65 per cent, reinforcement steel is at 62 per cent and plywood is at 56 per cent. Familiar supply chain problems are causing delays, and the cost of both energy and [...]
Millions of Brits plunged into financial crisis by whirlpool of inflation and swelling energy bills November 25, 2021 Swelling energy bills, soaring inflation and stinging food costs have plunged millions of Brits into a winter financial crisis, reveal new figures released today. 3.2m poorer households who rely on wafer thin budgets to meet the cost of living will be unable to pay for basic things, research by Citizens Advice, the charity that supports [...]
Why consistency matters November 24, 2021 Despite an eventful decade that has proved unsettling for markets, The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust has consistently outperformed its benchmark by looking through the noise and sticking to its tried and tested investment process. In this article, Neil Hermon, Portfolio Manager of the Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust, explores moments that have defined the [...]
Oil prices recover to week-high totals despite US commitment to releasing 50m barrels November 23, 2021 Oil prices have rebounded towards $81 on both benchmarks yesterday despite US plans to release 50m barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Telecom Plus: Shares soar despite decline in profits in crisis-hit industry November 23, 2021 Shares in Telecom Plus have rocketed 11.57 per cent despite falling profits amid expectations of a 10 per cent growth in customers.
CBI chief: Spectre of inflation is ‘very real’ and larger than we thought November 22, 2021 The chief of the influential business group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned that inflation is “very real” and is threatening to squeeze British firms. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference, the group’s director general Tony Danker warned that pay hikes will “spill over” into prices, intensifying the cost of living crisis pinching [...]
Ministers warned that failing to solve £360m in pandemic rent arrears could lead to ‘mass homelessness’ November 22, 2021 Ministers are being warned this morning that a failure to tackle the £360m in rent arrears accrued during the pandemic could cost the Government over £2.6bn because of the danger of “mass homelessness.” The Big Issue said it costs the Government £9,266 for every person made homeless, whereas the price of preventing homelessness is £2,263. [...]