We need to stop comforting ourselves with the myth of the all-powerful central bank April 27, 2022 Inflation continues to be a major problem for policy makers. The annual rate of price increases hit 7 per cent last month and could be in double figures later this year. This projection is far from being a fantasy. On some measures, annual inflation in America is already over 10 per cent. Rather bizarrely, the [...]
UK flirting dangerously close with recession this year, economists warn April 26, 2022 The UK economy is flirting dangerously close with falling into recession this year as a result of inflation dealing a heavy blow to households and businesses. That’s according to a slate of gloomy forecasts from some of the City’s top economists. Elevated food, energy and core goods prices will send inflation to a peak of [...]
Households face extra £271 on annual food bill as grocery inflation highest since 2011 April 26, 2022 Households are facing an additional £271 to their grocery bill, with price inflation now standing at the highest level in over a decade. According to fresh data from Kantar, grocery price inflation has reached 5.9 per cent, the highest level since December 2011. Brits are facing a slew of price increases this spring, as businesses [...]
Primark to introduce ‘selective’ price increases to offset pressures April 26, 2022 The owner of Primark has said it will be forced to raise prices on “selective” products in its autumn/winter ranges and issued a margin outlook warning. Associated British Foods (ABF) said its half-year sales and operating profit for the group returned to pre-Covid levels, in interim results for the 24 weeks ended 5 March 2022. [...]
Key dairy producer Arla Foods warns about ‘cancel culture’ in industry, driven by millennial and Gen Z shift to veganism and rising costs April 25, 2022 A sense of “feeling ashamed towards dairy in public” is putting some farmers on the brink of calling it quits, a major milk and cheese producer has claimed. Arla Foods launched a campaign called ‘don’t cancel the cow’ in response to supply and demand pressures, including claims that younger people are avoiding dairy – and [...]
Surging inflation and escalating lockdowns in China hit oil prices April 25, 2022 Oil prices have plummeted a further five percent, to their lowest levels in almost two weeks, compounding last week's heavy declines.
ONS: Cost of living grip chokes nearly every UK household April 25, 2022 Predictions that the UK economy is hurtling towards a period of weaker growth look set to materialise driven by historically high inflation squeezing almost all households across the country, official statistics released today indicate. Soaring energy, petrol and food prices have led to nearly nine in 10 Brits experiencing an uptick in their cost of [...]
Brexit-supporting Newark in shock as largest employer shuts up shop and heads for mainland Europe April 21, 2022 Local media and residents in the English town of Newark, as well as its local MP Robert Jenrick, are said to be shocked and disappointed by the decision of food producer Goodlife Foods to shut up shop and move its entire production to mainland Europe. The decision is likely to result in around 110 job [...]
Nestlé warns of further price rises over the year amid rampant inflation April 21, 2022 Nestlé has cautioned more price rises could be on the horizon for consumers as cost inflation leaps. In a three month trading update, the Kit Kat owner said it had already “stepped up pricing in a responsible manner” and seen “sustained consumer demand.” Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider added: “Cost inflation continues to increase sharply, which [...]
Time to talk about the price of milk: artisan cheese could save our dairy industry April 21, 2022 Milk has always held a curious place in the political psyche. It has long been used as a measure of affordability of everyday goods – and our leaders’ understanding of the challenges facing many Britons. As inflation, pressures on transport and the war in Ukraine have triggered a spike in prices, the price of milk [...]