ECB leaves rates untouched despite record high inflation February 3, 2022 The European Central Bank (ECB) yesterday left interest rates unchanged despite inflation on the Continent running at its highest level ever. The ECB’s decision to leave rates in negative territory was taken despite president, Christine Lagarge, warning the cost of living in the bloc could rise even further. Europe’s central bank’s inertia runs against the [...]
Pubs face inflationary costs of over 10 per cent as bosses call for tax relief February 3, 2022 Pubs are facing inflationary business costs of more than 10 per cent as publicans battle spiralling energy and labour costs. More than two in three pubs told an industry survey they were facing such substantial cost increases. Venues are facing skyrocketing energy bills while a labour crunch has seen wages of bartenders and chefs leap [...]
UK services inflation accelerates at record pace as cost of living squeeze intensifies February 3, 2022 UK businesses are raising prices at the fastest rate on record as Brits prepare for a once-in-a generation cost of living squeeze, reveals a closely watched survey published today. Prices for products produced by services businesses, including pubs, restaurants and bars, rose at the quickest pace since 1996, according to IHS Markit. Soaring raw material [...]
Borrowers ‘needn’t panic just yet’ after interest rates hike February 3, 2022 Real estate experts have said a rise in interest rates is “unlikely to dampen motivation to move” despite warnings that the news signals higher mortgage costs down the line. The Bank of England has hiked rates at successive meetings for the first time since 2004, with a majority of the Bank’s rate setters voting to [...]
Biden: US has taken ISIS leader “off the battlefield” in special forces operation February 3, 2022 US President Joe Biden has said American military forces have “taken off the battlefield” the leader of ISIS. Abu Ibrahim-al Hashimi al-Qurayshi was targeted in an operation in northwest Syria. “All Americans have returned safely from the operation. I will deliver remarks to the American people later this morning. May God protect our troops,” the [...]
Sunak unveils £9bn package to slash £350 off energy bills this year February 3, 2022 The “vast majority” of households will get government help on their energy bills to the tune of £350 to partially offset soaring prices as a part of a £9bn package announced by Rishi Sunak today. The announcement comes as Ofgem today announced an increase in the energy price cap from April, which will mean the [...]
Brits brace for worst cost of living squeeze since 1990 February 3, 2022 Brits are set for the worst cost of living squeeze in recent history in just a few months’ time, reveals fresh forecasts released by the Bank of England today. A combination of swelling energy bills and soaring food prices will erode real incomes at the fastest pace since in over 30 years. Rampant price rises [...]
Bank of England hikes rates at successive meetings for first time since 2004 February 3, 2022 The Bank of England today flexed its inflation fighting muscles and hiked interest rates at successive meetings for the first time since 2004. A majority of the Bank’s committee of rate setters voted to lift rates 25 basis points to 0.5 per cent. The consecutive rate hikes mark a sharp policy shift from Threadneedle Street [...]
Private equity market soars as dealmakers shrug off uncertainty February 3, 2022 Private equity dealmaking in the UK soared to record levels last year as dealmakers shrugged off pandemic and Brexit uncertainty, new data has revealed today.
PMI: Recovery of UK services sector regaining momentum February 3, 2022 The recovery of the UK services sector regained momentum last month, according to new figures. The closely watched IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI survey scored 54.1 in January, bouncing back from a 10-month low of 53.6 in December. Any score above 50 shows growth in the sector. The latest data showed that activity in the [...]