CBI: Permanent investment relief needed to unlock economic growth March 1, 2022 Creating a permanent tax relief on business investment will unlock a well of productivity hidden in the UK economy, according to Britain’s biggest business group. The government should strengthen incentives for businesses to ramp up capital spending by using the super deduction as a model to create a permanent investment scheme, the Confederation of British [...]
Russia’s economy plunges into chaos as Western sanctions bite February 28, 2022 Russia’s economy has been plunged into chaos after Western sanctions triggered a collapse in the country’s currency today. The value of the rouble tumbled as much as 30 per cent against the dollar today, dropping to its lowest ever level against the global currency benchmark. The sharp and sudden weakening in the rouble prompted Russia’s [...]
Brits’ inflation expectations climb to record high piling pressure on BoE to launch more rate hikes February 28, 2022 Britons’ expectations for inflation in a decade’s time is running at a joint record high, heaping further pressure on the Bank of England to continue its rate hike cycle. Households think the cost of living will land at 4.1 per cent in ten years’ time, up from 3.8 per cent last month, the joint highest [...]
ABF and Primark sales to surpass pre-Covid levels as consumers eye luggage and swimwear February 28, 2022 Associated British Foods (ABF), which also owns budget retail chain Primark, has said it is on track to surpass pre-Covid levels of sales and operating profit. The food manufacturer has been battling against inflation, alongside the rising costs of energy, but anticipates grocery revenue to inch two per cent higher than 2021. While Primark sales [...]
Ukraine crisis: what does it mean for asset allocation? February 28, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is having devastating human consequences, has increased the risk of a stagflation environment – one of slowing economic growth but high inflation. How should investors prepare for this possible scenario? Our analysis reveals which asset classes are likely to outperform if it comes to pass. Our live blog on the Ukraine crisis [...]
UK inflation to trend higher as firms hoist prices amid cost barrage February 28, 2022 Inflation will trend even higher in the coming months driven by UK businesses lifting prices to cope with intensifying wage pressures, reveals a fresh survey published today. Nearly half of firms are expecting to hike pay at least one per cent over the coming year, leading to them raising prices to protect margins, according to [...]
‘It was either streaming, scrabble or lingerie’: Sales at Samantha Cameron’s favourite lingerie firm get 200 per cent pandemic boost February 27, 2022 A UK-based lingerie and swimwear company once favoured by Samantha Cameron said this weekend it has seen a 200 per cent spike in lingerie sales during the pandemic as customers looked to spice up their bedroom attire. The founder of Pour Moi said he saw customer numbers soar to help sales reach £31m in the [...]
Is it time a decentralised world created a scoring system for accurate information? February 26, 2022 Dr Chris Kacher examines how our industry can help to purify accuracy in the freedom of expression we crave.
Take your workspace to the next level in Whitechapel February 25, 2022 As we tentatively return to something approaching ‘normal’ following the pandemic, many businesses find themselves in a tricky situation. Working from home full-time is gladly receding into the rear-view mirror but the old, static office model now seems a little antiquated. Modern workers require the flexibility of hybrid working, and office spaces need to be [...]
‘Perfect storm’ of headwinds crimps UK optimism February 25, 2022 A “perfect storm” of headwinds gripping households with the tightest financial squeeze in a generation is eroding Brits’ optimism, reveals a closely watched survey published today. Concern about the impact soaring inflation will have on household finances drove UK consumer confidence to its lowest level in over a year, plummeting to minus 26 points this [...]