UK inflation spikes ahead of Bank of England rates decision December 18, 2024 UK inflation spiked to 2.6 per cent ahead of the Bank of England’s meeting to decide interest rates later this week. Year-on-year inflation matched expectations of 2.6 per cent in November, up from 2.3 per cent in October, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed. Meanwhile, core inflation, which strips out volatile commodities like [...]
Labour’s growth gamble will decide Britain’s future December 18, 2024 Labour’s plan to invest for growth is Keynesianism 101. Delivering on it will require discipline and competence — recent history gives us plenty of reasons to be sceptical, says Damian Pudner Britain’s economic fortunes have hit a moment of reckoning. Public debt has ballooned to an eye-watering £2.8 trillion, roughly 100 per cent of GDP. [...]
Budget sparks 13 per cent jump in business insolvencies December 17, 2024 The number of business insolvencies in England and Wales rose 13 per cent in November, as the impact of the Budget continues to hit firms hard. Experts have also warned that things are not going to get better, with April’s looming Employers’ National Insurance increase leaving firms in a “perilous position”. Nearly 2,000 firms went [...]
Strong wage growth kills hopes of interest rate cut December 17, 2024 Analysts have warned that strong wage growth data reported this morning has killed any chance that the Bank of England will cut interest rates later this week. While the central bank had been widely expected to hold interest rates at its Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Thursday, the decision has been cemented by wages rising [...]
Haribo boss: How I went from being too ‘optimistic and challenging’ to leading sweet giant December 17, 2024 The UK boss of Haribo has revealed how he's changed from being too "optimistic and challenging" now he's leading the sweets giant.
UK wages continue to surge as Bank of England set to decide on interest rates December 17, 2024 UK unemployment remained steady over the last three months as wage growth surged over the quarter to October. Unemployment was unchanged at 4.3 per cent for the second straight month during October, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed. The number of people claiming jobless benefits climbed by just 300 in November, beating the [...]
British basketball handed major boost in LA 2028 Olympic funding December 16, 2024 British basketball has received a major boost after UK Sport more than doubled its funding allocation for the LA 2028 Olympic cycle. The sport is by far the biggest beneficiary from the record overall package of £330m, which will see its funding increasing from £1.35m to £2.93m. Skateboarding, climbing, weightlifting and baseball/softball are the other [...]
How to make green energy cheap energy December 16, 2024 Green policies don’t win votes unless they cut bills too. Britain has a chance to transform its system to make energy affordable and grow the economy at the same time, says Octopus Energy Generation CEO Zoisa North-Bond The government’s clean power 2030 action plan is looking to ensure the economic benefits of clean energy and [...]
UK companies cut jobs at fastest rate in nearly 4 years December 16, 2024 The private sector cut jobs at the fastest rate for nearly 4 years in December as firms respond to new tax rules announced in the Budget. The latest S&P Global Flash UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) found that while the headline figure for business confidence was unchanged from November, thanks to a marginal increase in [...]
Car insurers set to return to profit following record losses December 16, 2024 A report from accountancy giant EY estimates car insurers paid out 93p in claims and expenses for every £1 made in premiums in 2024.