UK house prices rise at fastest rate since April, finds Halifax September 6, 2019 UK house prices climbed 1.8 per cent higher in August compared to the same time last year, Halifax’s House Price Index revealed today. That is the fastest rate of growth since April’s 2.6 per cent increase, Halifax’s figures showed. However, revisions to modernise Halifax’s measure means previous lofty growth of 4.1 per cent in July [...]
Sterling falls back to $1.23 as investors remain cautious ahead of US jobs data release September 6, 2019 Sterling was down against both the dollar and euro in early morning trading as traders await the US non-farm payroll report and key US jobs data. The pound was down by 0.21 per cent against the dollar at 1.229 and against the euro, sterling was behind by 0.35 per cent at 1.113. Read more: Sterling [...]
Propping up the bar: Wetherspoons toasts no-deal Brexit by slashing the price of a pint September 6, 2019 Punters in the City looking for a cheap drink this afternoon are in luck, as pub chain Wetherspoons has slashed the price of a pint in a bid by chairman Tim Martin to prove a no-deal Brexit would be sustainable for pubs and retailers. Read more: Glass half empty? Wetherspoon shares fall as sales slow [...]
Housebuilder Berkeley Group defies Brexit jitters with ‘robust’ London performance September 6, 2019 Housebuilder Berkeley Group has enjoyed a period of “robust” market conditions in London and the south east of England, despite a weak sector backdrop driven by Brexit uncertainty. The London-listed firm said forward sales remained above £1.8bn and set a pre-tax profit target of £3.3bn for the next six years. Profit should be between £500m [...]
Neither tragic nor hero, Boris is simply in thrall to the Brexit fates September 6, 2019 When a Prime Minister who has spent his career leaning heavily on his classical education – peppering speeches with references to Pericles, the sword of Damocles, and how the EU subjecting Britain is like the Romans trampling over Carthage – loses his first four votes, his majority, and 23 MPs in the space of four [...]
Britain cannot afford to ignore Labour’s interventionist agenda September 6, 2019 For the past three years in Westminster, it’s been difficult to think more long-term than the next few hours. Nearly every day has dragged us further into uncharted political territory. Meaningful votes, Brexit extensions, and leadership contests have been making and shaping history – though it would be fair to say that for all the [...]
DEBATE: Is the UK economy already in a recession? September 6, 2019 Is the UK economy already in a recession? Dr Victoria Bateman, lecturer and fellow in Economics at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, says YES. Recession. It’s the only thing as guaranteed as death and taxes. Brexit or not, we all know we’re due one. But how low will we go – and for how long? [...]
Business must look beyond no-deal prep and plan for a globally competitive future September 6, 2019 A brand new chancellor, same old challenge. It’s the issue that brought us to Brexit, and the one that will underpin its impact: flatlining UK productivity. Sajid Javid and Philip Hammond may not be on the same side this week, but both chancellors entered Number 11 to confront this same priority. On Wednesday, Javid stood [...]
UK firms appoint staff at slowest rate in three years September 6, 2019 Companies hired permanent workers at the slowest rate in over three years in August, according to a new survey, in a sign that the jobs boom in Britain is slowing. Read more: BoE’s Mark Carney says UK now better-prepared for no-deal Brexit August also saw the weakest increase in total job vacancies in over six [...]
If nothing else, the Lords at least offers some good debate September 6, 2019 Watching a debate in the House of Lords can lift the spirits. Admittedly, this isn’t always the case. After all, the place is so rammed with political cast-offs and the dregs of quangoland that following its proceedings can often feel like a punishment. However, during moments of great constitutional or legal significance it is to [...]