Russia will weaponise a refugee crisis if we’re not prepared to open our arms February 25, 2022 Putin has invaded Ukraine. He was never going to be satisfied with only taking Donetsk and Luhansk. The result will be a bloody and likely protracted war accompanied by another refugee crisis as many Ukrainians make the heart-wrenching decision to desert their home. Britain has a long and proud history of welcoming refugees, especially from [...]
Behind the story: the cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine February 25, 2022 Britain is more sheltered than other countries from the massive spike in energy prices that could unfold as a result of Europe’s overreliance on Russian gas. Customers in the UK will at least in the short term be protected from higher prices by the energy price cap. But if the cost of energy continues to spiral [...]
Prepayment customers avoid energy use amid cost of living squeeze February 24, 2022 Prepayment customers have been reducing energy use to alarming degrees, according to the latest data from Uswitch.com.
Camden and Chelsea among London areas to see biggest rent increases February 23, 2022 Average London rents are predicted to grow 14 per cent over the next five years, according to data exclusively shared with CityA.M. Desirable areas including Kensington and Chelsea, City of London, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham saw the largest rental increases, with prices jumping around a third for each borough. Data from CBRE found that [...]
Oil prices climb towards $100 as the West rolls out sanctions on Russia February 23, 2022 The escalating crisis on Ukraine’s eastern flank saw oil prices inch towards $100 a barrel for the first time in almost a decade yesterday.
Millions of Brits go bargain hunting as they are forced to tighten their belts in cost of living crisis February 23, 2022 As energy prices soar and inflation hits a 30 year high, millions of British households have embarked on a hunt for bargains and discounts. In fact, 41 per cent of shoppers stated that they would actively look for bargains as they prepare to tighten their belts; with a further 35 per cent of shoppers saying [...]
Firms on the hunt for staff despite labour squeeze February 23, 2022 Employers are planning on expanding their workforce despite an ongoing labour squeeze scuppering recruitment efforts, reveals a new survey published today. A net 24 per cent of companies intend to ramp up hiring over both the medium and long term, according to a survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Strong hiring intentions indicate [...]
Russia is overplaying its hand to try and force the West to give concessions February 22, 2022 AS world leaders plunge into an eleventh hour bid to talk Vladimir Putin down from the edge of a war with Ukraine, the fundamental misconceptions at the heart of Russia’s objectives in Ukraine must be dispelled in order to calibrate the right response. Russia wants a pro-Moscow administration in Ukraine without having to undertake a [...]
Government interest bill hits highest ever level for a January February 22, 2022 The government’s interest bill swelled to its level ever for a January since records began in the late 1990s as inflation burns a hole in the UK’s public finances. The amount the government spent on servicing its debt hit £6.1bn last month, up £4.5bn over the last year, according to the Office for National Statistics [...]
Public sector debt climbs to record £2.32 trillion: 94.9 per cent of Britain’s GDP February 22, 2022 Government borrowing hit a surplus of £2.9 billion in January, reversing a £2.5 billion deficit in the same month a year earlier, according to official figures published this morning. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector borrowing from the end of March to December was £138.5 billion – the second highest since records [...]