Why taxpayers have to transfer the banks tens of billions February 13, 2024 The Bank of England attracted yet more unwanted attention last week when MPs described its bond selling programme, known as quantitative tightening, as a “leap into the dark”. According to the Bank’s calculation, quantitative tightening could cost the taxpayer up to £130bn over the lifetime of the scheme. MPs highlighted that it was “highly anomalous” that decisions [...]
Moving markets: Five things shaping the FTSE 100 today February 13, 2024 U.S. stocks closed mixed, while Asia saw modest gains. Bitcoin hits $50,000, oil prices remain stable, and the focus shifts to UK labour market data and U.S. inflation.
Bank of England risks being ‘too slow’ in cutting interest rates, Haldane warns February 12, 2024 The Bank of England's former chief economist said today that he would have already voted to cut interest rates given the UK's slow growth rate and progress on taming inflation.
Big banks set for bumper annual profits as interest rates peak February 12, 2024 Britain's biggest banks are set to report strong annual profits over the next two weeks despite mounting margin pressure from a likely peak in interest rates.
More London mansions up for sale as billionaires go bankrupt February 12, 2024 A Kensington mansion has become the capital's latest luxury property to go up for sale in insolvency proceedings as wealthy London homeowners face their assets being liquidated to pay down debts.
Two-year mortgage rates have biggest monthly drop since 2022 as Santander is latest to cut February 12, 2024 Average two-year fixed mortgage rates have seen their biggest monthly drop since December 2022, according to a financial information website, despite mounting economic pressure squeezing lenders' margins.
Pay growth to ease for first time since Covid in ‘key moment for labour market’ February 12, 2024 Jon Boys, senior labour market economist for the CIPD, said "this feels like a key moment in the UK labour market".
Natwest’s margins in focus as lender gears up for year of big changes February 12, 2024 Natwest looks to shrug off the turmoil of the recent debanking saga and prepares to sell its government-owned shares to the public.
Winter recession to be confirmed for UK economy – but experts are upbeat about 2024 February 12, 2024 New figures are likely to confirm that the UK economy fell into a shallow recession in the second half of last year, but experts are hopeful that 2024 will be a better year.
Bank of England to start cutting interest rates in May with inflation on its way to target February 12, 2024 Andrew Bailey, the Bank's governor, noted the "good news" on inflation while Huw Pill, the Bank's chief economist, suggested rate cuts were a "when rather than an if".