UK recession to hit sooner than first thought as economy unexpectedly shrinks May 12, 2022 The UK is “dangerously close” to tipping into a recession sooner than predicted due to households already cutting spending ahead of the cost of living squeeze tightening. That’s according to City economists’ assessment of weaker than expected GDP figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The economy shrank 0.1 per cent in [...]
Deliveroo union deal branded ‘desperate attempt for positive PR’ May 12, 2022 Deliveroo has been criticised over a “publicity stunt” union deal, with investors unsure of what the move means for riders’ rights. The union announced on Thursday it was forging a “first of its kind” union recognition deal with GMB union, which has not traditionally been associated with the gig economy. The Independent Workers Union of [...]
Tory MP Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for saying poor people who use food bank ‘cannot cook and budget’ May 12, 2022 A Conservative MP said he stands by his comments that people who use food banks do so because they “cannot cook properly” and “cannot budget”. Lee Anderson invited “everybody” on the opposition benches in the Commons to visit a food bank in his Nottinghamshire constituency where, when people come for a food parcel, they now [...]
Recession dials flash red on UK economic dashboard May 11, 2022 The dials are flashing red on the dashboard of the health of the British economy. Just a few months ago, UK growth prospects were reasonably good. The Covid-19 bounce back was set to continue this year, building on the country notching the biggest expansion in the G7 in 2021 (albeit due to the UK suffering [...]
UK recession lurks around corner as thousands face extreme poverty without more support May 11, 2022 A recession in the UK is just around the corner and the economy will stay in the doldrums without a major policy overhaul, a top think tank warned today. Britain’s economy will contract in the third and fourth quarters of this year, meeting the grade for a technical recession, the National Institute of Economic and [...]
Russia-Ukraine war to wipe $1.5 trillion off global economy May 11, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will wipe $1.5 trillion off the global economy this year, reveals new analysis released today. Soaring energy and food prices triggered by concerns about supply security as Moscow continues its assault on Ukraine will deliver a heavy blow to global economic activity, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social [...]
US Federal Reserve achieving soft landing will be challenging but doable May 10, 2022 Hiking interest rates to tame a 40-year high inflation spike without throwing the US economy off course will be difficult, but doable, a top stateside rate setter said today. “The ongoing pandemic and war in Ukraine bring a tremendous amount of complexity and uncertainty” to the trajectory of prices, John Williams, president of the New [...]
US-UK trade deal ‘never going to happen’, warns former Bank of England bigwig as he says high inflation is down to Brexit May 10, 2022 Most of the UK’s inflation is a direct result of Brexit, according to a former heavyweight at the Bank of England. Former BoE policymaker Adam Posen, said that around 80 per cent of the reason why the IMF expects UK’s inflation to remain high is directly linked to Britain’s departure from the EU. The economist, [...]
British Gas profits and Heathrow’s growth keeps FTSE 100 stable May 10, 2022 A strong April for Heathrow and British Gas’s owner Centrica expecting higher profits has helped the FTSE 100 remain steady, up 0.8 per cent at the open this morning. London rose 63 points despite fears about rising inflation, as the UK’s biggest airport lifted its forecast for passenger growth after a spike in travel over [...]
Brits hold back on buying sofas and fridges as cost of living climbs May 10, 2022 Brits have held back on buying big ticket items, such as furniture, as living costs spiral. Retail sales in the UK fell on a like-for-like basis by 1.7 per cent last month, compared to April 2021. Sales growth went into decline for the first time in 15 months as retailers face a balancing act between [...]