Easter Reads part one: the best in our opinion pages on politics, the economy and Ukraine April 16, 2022 Back when partygate was “seemingly” subsiding, Giles Kenningham looked at another political headache for Johnson, one with a much longer legacy: the future of the Union. The pandemic gave a taste of greater independence to the devolved nations, and now some want to keep it – surely, that’s the case with Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon. To [...]
Letters: Inflation puts us back on the brink April 14, 2022 [Re: Inflation reaches 7 per cent as Brits fear cost of living crisis, April 13] The fact that inflation has reached a thirty-year high is a reminder of the huge disparity between the needs of businesses facing financial difficulties and the lack of support from the Government in addressing these challenges. Britain has not seen [...]
UK drivers suffer record spike in monthly petrol prices April 13, 2022 Petrol prices have risen over 12 pence per litre between February and March, the largest monthly hike since records began in 1990.
Inflation reaches 7 per cent as Brits fear cost of living crisis April 13, 2022 The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose seven per cent in the year to March, with Brits braced for sky-high price hikes across essential bills this spring. According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today, the largest contributions to the increase came from motor fuels, with no large offsetting downward contributions. The [...]
Rishi Sunak’s weak stomach for a scandal could spell the end for Johnson April 13, 2022 When Boris Johnson catapulted a young upstart from Treasury minister to Chancellor of the Exchequer, he likely envisaged Rishi Sunak would be pliable and amenable to his insatiable desire for spending rather than the thin-skinned thorn in his side.
Knight Frank: UK house price growth will peak as cost-of-living climbs April 13, 2022 UK house price growth is thought to have peaked and will begin its descent away from record figures as the cost-of-living crisis in the country swells, researchers at Knight Frank forecast. With runaway inflation and rising energy bills, the list of obstacles in front of house buyers has continued to grow exponentially since the pandemic. [...]
Johnson says sorry for breaking his own Covid rules as he vows to stay as PM April 12, 2022 Boris Johnson has apologised for breaking his government’s Covid rules to attend his own work birthday party in 2020 and has vowed to stay on as Prime Minister. The PM, chancellor Rishi Sunak and Carrie Johnson were all handed Fixed Penalty Notices by the Metropolitan Police today for a lockdown-busting work birthday party in Downing [...]
The City View: Victoria Scholar on rising prices, unemployment and retail sales data; and XR cause Lloyd’s of London HQ shutdown April 12, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Victoria Scholar, Head of Investment at Interactive Investor. They go through some of the week’s economics data on GDP, unemployment, retail sales, and talk trading updates. They discuss the latest from ASOS, Deliveroo, and EasyJet: ASOS is facing a raft of headwinds, as investors lose confidence in the online retailer; [...]
35 per cent of Brits admit bulk buying amid war and inflation shortage fears, report claims April 12, 2022 Warnings have been made against claims of stockpiling food after a report claimed 35 per cent have bulk bought items recently. Consumers are reportedly purchasing items in scenes reminiscent of the start of the pandemic, amid concerns about falling production for items such as wheat and oil, impacted by the war in Ukraine. Items such [...]
The City View: Sluggish UK economic growth, and Heathrow flying high April 11, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to City A.M.’s Economics and Markets reporter Jack Barnett. They go through lacklustre UK economic growth figures and why the cost-of-living crisis will hinder said growth; the latest inflation figures; the global economic recovery; and economic uncertainty to come. Andy also goes through the news: Heathrow has marked its highest number [...]