Mark Kleinman: This crisis feels far from over March 23, 2023 Deal of the century or dud of the decade? UBS’s government-orchestrated swoop on Credit Suisse, its historic rival, was one of those moments in global finance that will be debated long after any of those involved in have retired to their lives of Alpine luxury. Make no mistake: this was a state bailout masquerading as [...]
UK inflation shock was bad for the Bank of England – and disastrous for families March 22, 2023 These were not good inflation numbers for the Bank of England. They were even worse for families. Nearly everyone has been taken aback by the Office for National Statistics calculating the annual rate of headline inflation (the consumer price index) snapped a three month falling streak to climb to 10.4 per cent last month. That [...]
UK inflation leaps to 10.4 per cent smashing Bank of England and City forecasts March 22, 2023 UK inflation has surpassed forecasts and stayed in the double digits, in a sign the Bank of England will need to keep hiking interest rates to tame prices, official figures out today reveal. The rate of price increases jumped to 10.4 per cent in February, up from 10.1 per cent in January, according to the [...]
Negative rising costs March 22, 2023 With inflation, plus a recession looming, businesses are experiencing record levels of employee financial stress, as well as a demand for higher salaries, quiet quitting and the aftermath of the Great Resignation. More and more employees are turning to their employers for financial wellbeing support — which is where nudge comes in. Combining behavioural psychology [...]
Pubs are go: Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame shrugs off strikes and inflation in eight per cent revenue rise March 22, 2023 Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has said consumer spending in the wake of the costs of living crisis has “remained strong” as the group posts strong revenues for the 26 weeks to December 2022. The listed pubs group, which operates around London and the South East, posted revenues of £85.3m up 8.4 per cent from [...]
Top City firms pledge to hike contributions to employees’ pensions pots amid concerns over looming savings crunch March 21, 2023 A coalition of top City firms today vowed to boost the contributions they make into their employees’ pensions in response to growing concerns about the potential for a looming savings crunch. Aviva, Phoenix and Herbert Smith Freehills all pledged to give pensions contributions equivalent to at least seven per cent of their workers’ salaries in [...]
Currys gives 10,000 staff fourth pay rise in 18 months with extra help for London workers March 21, 2023 Tech retailer Currys will increase wages for hourly paid staff for the fourth time in 18 months – with workers in the capital getting extra help. Pay for hourly paid store colleagues will rise to £10.50 across its stores in the UK and to £11.50 in London. The retailer revealed that the average store colleague [...]
UK borrowed record £16.7bn for February but Jeremy Hunt handed interest bill boost March 21, 2023 The UK borrowed a higher than expected £16.7bn in February, a record for that specific month due to the government spending billions on helping families with the cost of energy bills, official figures out today reveal. Office for National Statistics (ONS) numbers indicate Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to cap typical household energy bills at £2,500 [...]
Broadband firms urged to cancel ‘exorbitant’ mid-contract price hikes for vulnerable customers March 21, 2023 Broadband firms have been urged to cancel “exorbitant” mid-contract price rises for vulnerable customers less than two weeks before they are due to take effect. Millions of broadband and mobile phone customers can expect to face monthly bill increases of at least 14 per cent from April. Providers often link their annual price rises to [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher’s profits slump nearly 40 per cent although Covid backlog may yet boost DIY chain’s bottom line March 21, 2023 B&Q owner Kingfisher reported a sales slowdown as the DIY giant felt the hit from Brits scaling back on home improvements. For the year ending 31 January 2023 Kingfisher, which also owns brands such as Screwfix, posted pre-tax profits of £611m, down 39.3 per cent from £1.7bn in the same period last year. As shoppers [...]