The UK economy is gaining momentum despite Brexit fears, says the OECD February 8, 2017 UK economic growth is gaining momentum despite concerns over Britain's future EU trade deal, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The composite leading indicator rose to 99.5, according to the group of richer nations, continuing a clear upward trend from July 2016, the month after the UK's referendum on EU membership. The [...]
UK investment levels expected to stay low says Bank of England February 8, 2017 The Bank of England says it expects investment levels to stay weak in the UK, as it finds four in five publicly owned firms saying pressure to create short-term returns has dented investment levels over the past five years. Sir Jon Cunliffe, a deputy governor and member of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee, said in a [...]
Bill Gates ignored opportunity to buy Liverpool ahead of 2010 FSG takeover February 8, 2017 World's richest man, tech pioneer, philanthropist…football club owner? Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's wealthiest people, passed up on the opportunity to add the latter title to his resume after being offered Liverpool Football Club in 2010. Intermediaries trying to find a buyer for the Premier League club from [...]
Brexit has humiliated Britain’s failed economic soothsayers February 8, 2017 The Trojan prophetess, Cassandra, was given powers of foresight by Apollo, the Greek god of culture, in a bid to seduce her. She refused him and, as one version of the legend goes, he spat into her mouth to inflict a curse that no one would ever believe what she said. She prophesied doom and [...]
The rising tide of inflation: Investment ideas to protect your portfolio February 8, 2017 Inflation is a real bogeyman for investors, and it rankles most when you don’t see it coming. Few predicted the oil price rebound at the end of last year – a big influence on prices – or the optimism which caused yields to rise after Donald Trump’s election. The threat that rising prices will erode wealth [...]
London wage growth reaches 10-month high as recruiters report staff shortage concerns February 8, 2017 Wages in London grew at the fastest since March last year during January, as UK-wide demand for staff reached a 17-month high, a new survey shows. Almost a fifth of the London recruitment firms surveyed said average salaries were rising, compared to only 4.8 per cent who reported lower salaries, according to the figures from [...]
Tom Wood injury presents question of inexperienced England back-row for Six Nations clash with Wales February 7, 2017 England could be forced into fielding a rookie back-row during their Six Nations showdown with Wales after flanker Tom Wood missed training on Tuesday due to the shoulder injury he suffered against France. Wood was last night retained in a 24-man squad for the clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday despite having his arm in a [...]
The FTSE 250 has closed at a record high after an MPC member hinted at an impending rate rise February 7, 2017 The FTSE 250 closed at a record high and the pound surged by more than a cent in afternoon trading, after a member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) hinted at an impending interest rate rise. The FTSE 250 rose to 18,559.7 points, one per cent higher, while the pound was sent [...]
Premium Bonds just lost some of their shine, as NS&I slashes rates on four of its key products February 7, 2017 Lady Luck was not on the side of Premium Bond holders this morning, after National Savings & Investments (NS&I) revealed it was slashing rates on four of its products. Along with cutting the prize fund rate for Premium Bonds, NS&I will be lowering the interest rate on its Direct Isa, Direct Saver and Income Bonds [...]
Tax set to rise to highest share of UK income in over 30 years as austerity continues to bite according to Institute for Fiscal Studies February 7, 2017 The amount of tax we pay will rise to the highest proportion of the UK’s national income in over 30 years, according to an analysis by an influential group of economists. The government plans to raise taxes by £17bn over the course of this Parliament relative to 2015-16, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies [...]