UK risks dropping green energy lead by failing to respond to Biden’s $400bn package, Johnson Matthey chief warns May 10, 2023 The head of one of Britain’s largest manufacturers has warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that he risks squandering the country’s lead in clean energy production by failing to respond to US President Joe Biden’s $400bn (£317bn) green stimulus package. Liam Condon, chief executive of Johnson Matthey, told Sky News it has intellectual property which could [...]
Productivity gains won’t win elections, but they will secure growth for decades May 10, 2023 We used to lead the world in productivity, and now we lag behind. We need to invest more to be productive. It might not be the most exciting political slogan, but it will pay off, writes Josh Williams
Even if you do buy a home, the pestilence of service charges could make it unaffordable May 10, 2023 Tenants and leaseholders have been paying thousands of pounds of overcharge for the services provided by their housing associations because of a lack of oversight and accountability, writes Elena Siniscalco
Elizabeth Line: Workers to walk out later this month on London’s most popular route May 9, 2023 Elizabeth Line workers will strike on Wednesday 24 May in what is the latest industrial action to hit London’s most popular line. The action brought by members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union announced today, is part of an ongoing pay dispute between operational staff, such as traffic and response managers, and TfL. [...]
Direct Line faces ‘bumpy road ahead’ as motor claims soar May 9, 2023 Direct Line warned that rising motor claims would put pressure on earnings today, as it published its first quarter results. The company reported a 9.7 per cent rise in first-quarter underlying gross written premiums to £805.7m. The insurer warned its motor segment would continue to “put pressure” on earnings, as damage related claims tick higher [...]
Saudi Aramco’s profits slide to £25bn as world’s largest energy company is dragged down by lower oil prices May 9, 2023 Saudi Aramco reported a clear dip in earnings over the first three months of the year, blaming lower global oil prices for reduced profits.
House prices “under greatest pressure” in London and south east as rate hikes take their toll May 9, 2023 The average price of a home dipped slightly by 0.3 per cent in April but homes in the South of England and London remain "under the greatest pressure” as they face the most expensive property prices and borrowing costs.
Bring me sunshine! Retailers hit by grim April weather as economy held back by the rain May 9, 2023 Retailers continued to be bruised by soaring inflation and poor weather conditions in April, as the sector holds out hope for summer to give a much needed boost in sales. Data by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed that while retail sales rose slightly over five per cent during the month, overall inflation meant that [...]
Bank of England to hike interest rates for 12th time in a row and forecast falling inflation May 9, 2023 The Bank of England is poised to intensify the strain on households and businesses’ finances by hiking interest rates for the 12th time in a row this Thursday in a bid to bring down inflation, City analysts are betting. Threadneedle Street’s nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the group tasked with setting official borrowing costs in [...]
Booming services sector steers UK economy further away from recession May 9, 2023 Britain’s economy is running at its strongest level in nearly a year, powered by households still splashing the cash amid the cost of living crisis in another sign the country will skirt a recession. A new survey out last night from consultancy BDO revealed output growth in the UK reached its highest level in eight [...]