Retail sales continue year-long downward spiral amid cost of living crisis September 16, 2022 Retail sales fell last month, according to official figures, as the cost of living crisis prompts Brits to dial back spending. Sale volumes fell by 1.6 per cent in August, continuing a downward trend since summer 2021. Both food and non-food stores, as well as non-store retailing and fuel forecourts all saw lower sales over [...]
Kwarteng must pull businesses out of limbo before MPs head off to party conferences September 16, 2022 I can probably count on one hand just how often MPs have been in parliament in these past three months. It makes a mockery of our parliamentary system in such a time of need.
Scrap the cap: It’s the right thing to do September 15, 2022 The bankers' bonus cap is reportedly on the chopping block, and it'd be a fine way to signal a change in tone from government
Mike Leigh: ‘The Queen dying is emotional but King Charles? That’s another matter’ September 15, 2022 For a man seven-times Oscar nominated for films about so-called ‘ordinary’ people, Mike Leigh certainly plays the part. We meet outside the newly opened Garden Cinema, but there’s no blacked-out car to deliver perhaps Britain’s most famous living director. Instead, Leigh appears from around a street corner, alone, clasping a folded chair under arm. If [...]
Amazon strike ballot ‘making history’ says UK union boss September 15, 2022 AMAZON workers at a Coventry warehouse became the first in the UK to take part in a formal strike ballot against the ecommerce titan. Hundreds of workers began voting this morning on whether to walk out over Amazon’s 35 pence per hour pay offer, with union GMB lobbying for a £2 per hour increase as [...]
Sofa giant DFS suffers big slump in profits after ‘grim year’ amid sharp retail downturn September 15, 2022 DFS said this morning the sofa seller has suffered a big slump in profits. Moreover, the company warned that the industry is facing a downturn as soaring bills mean fewer customers are in the market for a new sofa. DFS said pre-tax profit dropped 43 per cent to £58.5m in the financial year that ended [...]
Publicans ‘in despair’ amid reports energy support will be delayed September 14, 2022 Pubs and restaurants are running out of time to stay afloat, industry chiefs have said, amid rumours of a delay to energy help for businesses. Government officials had warned business chiefs that a six-month support scheme may not be ready until November, according to a report in The Financial Times. Reports did suggest that officials [...]
UK house prices continue to soar in biggest annual jump since 2003 September 14, 2022 UK house prices grew 15.5 per cent to £292,000 in the year to July, according to official figures – the highest annual inflation rate since 2003. The average cost of a home in the UK has continued to spiral as demand outstrips supply. In just 12-months, property prices have grown £39,000 higher, several thousand pounds [...]
Desperate small businesses beg government for immediate help as bills spiral out of control September 14, 2022 A range of small businesses said this morning that their energy bills have more than doubled in the past three months alone. Firms are therefore eagerly looking to next week’s expected mini budget for help with soaring bills despite the slight easing in inflation. Lesley So, founder of Derby-based eco-friendly drinks manufacturer So Good Kombucha, [...]
Working out well: Third Space eyes suburban locations for expansion pipeline September 14, 2022 Luxury health club brand Third Space is eyeing more locations in suburban areas, as opposed to in office hotspots, its CEO has told City A.M. Third Space offers members “a combination of expertise and luxury” and caters to “fitness savvy enthusiasts” as opposed to “first timers”, with members who “like the finer things in life,” [...]