UK braces itself for nation-wide disruption as 40,000 workers announce another two days of rail strikes July 15, 2022 The UK will need to brace itself for nation-wide disruption as 40,000 rail members of the union RMT announced late last night an additional two days’ strike on 18 and 20 August. RMT members working at Network Rail and 14 other operators announced earlier this week they will also walk out on 27 July in [...]
Calls grow to pause benefits sanctions until merciless cost-of-living crisis has calmed down July 14, 2022 Benefits sanctions should be paused by the UK government until the cost-of-living crisis has been resolved, Citizens Advice Scotland has said. Advice from the charity on sanctions to Universal Credit rose by 5 per cent in 2021-22, research published today indicated. With inflation rising and impacting on the cost of goods, Citizens Advice said a [...]
Terrible Thursday for Barratt as energy prices and inflation take their toll on Britain’s biggest housebuilder July 14, 2022 Barratt Developments revealed this a.m. the company is facing a rise in build costs of up to 10 per cent as soaring energy prices and inflation take their toll. Britain’s biggest housebuilder said build cost increases have escalated to between 9 per cent and 10 per cent, up from around 6 per cent over the [...]
Netflix and ads: Streaming giant teams up with Microsoft to launch cheaper subscription plan July 14, 2022 Netflix announced a partnership with Microsoft late yesterday to introduce a “lower priced ad-supported subscription plan” to drive down its prices. The advert option will be an “addition” to the existing plans and will not feature on all offers. The streaming giant has not said how much the reduced package will cost, but comes after a [...]
Brits to receive first cost of living payments from government starting today July 14, 2022 Eight million Brits will begin receiving payments to help with the cost of living crisis on Thursday.. Direct payments will be automatically made into recipients’ bank, building society or credit union account, for low-income households on means-tested benefits. The first payment, referred to as the DWP Cost of Living payment, will consist of £326 and [...]
Poundland sales resilient as shoppers more familiar with discount brands versus 2008 July 14, 2022 Poundland’s owner has reiterated its confident outlook, encouraged by the size of the discount market across Europe amid present economic turmoil. In a third quarter trading update, Pepco posted group revenues of €1.2bn, with year-to-date sales hitting €3.5m. The retailer, which also owns the Dealz and Pepco brands in Europe, said Poundland like-for-like sales had [...]
Experian looks to full year targets after growth in first three months of 2022 July 14, 2022 Credit reporting firm Experian experienced a growth in revenue during the first three months of 2022 despite a decline in consumer confidence in the UK and north America. The world’s largest credit data firm reiterated its bid for full year targets as it announced 14 per cent group revenue growth in the UK and Ireland, [...]
Network Rail deems agency workers’ proposal will have ‘limited if no effect’ on strikes short term July 13, 2022 Network Rail has deemed that the government’s proposal to replace striking staff with agency workers will have “limited if no effect in the short term.” “I think we’ve been clear that [changing the legislation] is likely to have limited if no effect in the short-term and it’s likely to have a limited effect in the [...]
Property prices to smash through £300,000 mark by next month, industry expert predicts July 13, 2022 AVERAGE property prices will smash through the £300,000 mark by the end of the Summer, an expert said today. Latest data show that prices hit a record £294,845 – as rates rose at the fastest level in 18 years. Despite claims prices could be set to crash, Jonathan Rolande, from House Buy Fast, believes we [...]
The investment trust sector and the Four Horsemen – a review of Q2 22 July 13, 2022 Conquest and War – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between the two countries; Famine – at the very least the increased threat of global food shortages as supplies from Ukraine, the ‘bread basket of Europe’, increasingly become weaponised; Death – despite the roll-out of vaccines, Covid-19 continues to mutate and take lives [...]