End of austerity not ‘compatible’ with eliminating deficit says Institute for Fiscal Studies ahead of Budget October 16, 2018 The government faces a stark choice between upholding Theresa May’s promise to “end austerity” or meet its target of eliminating the deficit, according to a detailed analysis by one the UK’s most trusted economic bodies. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) will today say that chancellor Philip Hammond will have to find an extra £19bn [...]
European banks add weight to demands for EU to act on no-deal Brexit financial stability risks October 15, 2018 The lobby group representing investment banks in Europe has added its voice to the growing calls for EU authorities to act now to stop financial market chaos in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (Afme) said it is “vital” that the European Commission give assurances that clearing houses, [...]
Bank of England: Insurers and banks must manage the financial risks of climate change October 15, 2018 The Bank of England has urged banks and insurers to improve its mitigation of the financial risks of climate change. Financial institutions will also be asked to disclose how it will manage those risks as well as explore potential scenarios for the future in new measures put forward today. The BoE’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) [...]
Action on productivity must take centre stage as calls for action grow louder October 12, 2018 The British economy has surprised experts time and time again in recent years, as unemployment has continually hit new lows. Yet the flipside of this miraculous fall in jobless numbers has been a truly dire slump in productivity growth – a slowdown which threatens the UK’s place at the top table among the world’s big [...]
Mark Carney told to clarify dramatic house price fall warning in case of ‘no-deal’ Brexit October 11, 2018 Bank of England governor Mark Carney needs to clarify whether house prices would be slashed by a third in a 'no deal' Brexit, the chair of the Treasury select committee has insisted. Nicky Morgan has written to Carney asking him to clear up exactly what he told the Cabinet on September 13 during a presentation [...]
UK banks risk being downgraded in no-deal Brexit situation October 11, 2018 UK banks could be downgraded in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to ratings agency Standard & Poor. The agency's position is that the UK will successfully negotiate a deal that provides a period of continuity for financial institutions, however it said that if the UK crashes out of the European Union in March [...]
Royal Bank of Scotland introduces 1.5 per cent savings rate days after Goldman Sachs October 11, 2018 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) today announced a new savings rate of 1.5 per cent just weeks after Goldman Sachs entered the British market. The instant access savings account will pay the annual rate, which will put it near the top of the best-buy tables for some customers, up to the first £10,000, whereas Goldman's [...]
IMF data shows there’s even less cash to splash October 11, 2018 Positive news around the public finances has been forthcoming in 2018, following years of disappointingly slow deficit reduction. Borrowing fell to a 16-year low in the fiscal year that ended in April, while in July the Treasury recorded its biggest surplus since 2000. Thus it was a shame to be brought crashing back down to [...]
Surveyors forecast fall in house prices as house buyers decline October 11, 2018 A renewed decline in the number of house buyers is piling further pressure on London’s strained property market, according to a closely followed survey out today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has said there was “caution” from buyers last month, as Bank of England governor Mark Carney reportedly warned prices could drop 35 [...]
City Moves for 11 October – who’s switching jobs? October 11, 2018 Today’s City Moves cover Octopus Property, White & Case and Houlihan Lokey. (Take a look at these movers and shakers.) Octopus Property Specialist property lender Octopus Property, part of the Octopus Group, announced the appointment of Paula Purdy as business development manager (BDM), north of England, reporting directly to D’mitri Zaprzala, Head of Sales. Paula’s appointment [...]