Want fairness? Beware the opportunistic calls for a windfall tax on energy giants February 10, 2022 Both the Labour and the Lib Dems have proposed a “one-off” windfall tax on the profits of UK oil and gas companies to help families struggling with their energy bills. Surely it’s only fair that giants like BP and Shell, making bumper profits, should be asked to pay a little more? Not quite. For a [...]
Cost of living crunch bites Brits’ optimism February 8, 2022 Fears over a sharp erosion in living standards driven by the cost of living crunch is weighing on Brits’ confidence levels, reveals a fresh survey published today. Consumer confidence in the UK dipped to its lowest level in 11 months last month, according to research by Bank of America. Concerns over inflation hitting household budgets [...]
Rishi Sunak to offer council tax rebates and cuts to protect households from rising energy bills February 3, 2022 The Treasury is preparing a council tax rebate scheme as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's plans to ease the pressure on UK households this spring.
Uncertainty from our leaders is keeping our economic recovery wavering on the brink February 2, 2022 In November last year, the UK’s total GDP output finally regained its pre-pandemic level. But although the economic recovery is on an upward trajectory, there is a disconcerting stop-start hesitancy to it. A reasonable indicator of where the economy stands in any given month is the purchasing managers’ index which shows the prevailing direction of [...]
‘Tax-cutting Conservatives’ Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak confirm tax rise is going ahead January 30, 2022 The Prime Minister and Chancellor have doubled down on a controversial planned tax hike to boost health funding, after it was reported that Boris Johnson was “wobbling” on the policy. The PM is under pressure from some Conservative MPs to scrap or at least delay the national insurance increase to win back support as he [...]
Oil prices rebound as fears of Russia invading Ukraine rise January 25, 2022 Oil prices have recovered amid growing fears of Russian invading Ukraine and a consequent tightening in supplies.
Inflation and supply chain crisis to throttle UK economy, IMF warns January 25, 2022 The global supply crunch and roaring inflation will choke UK growth this year, the world’s economic watchdog warned today. A combination of the supply chain crisis rumbling on and the cost of living corroding Brits’ incomes has prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to downgrade their forecasts for UK economic growth this year to 4.7 [...]
British factories prepare to launch quickest price hike cycle since 1977 January 25, 2022 British factories are preparing to launch a rapid cycle of price rises to offset a cost onslaught, reveals a closely watched survey released today. The fresh print adds to agitation at the Bank of England over inflation becoming entrenched in the UK economy as a result of businesses baking in soaring costs to their pricing [...]
Oil prices slide as production ramps up Stateside January 21, 2022 Oil prices have tumbled as market sentiment took a downturn following rising inventories the US, with questions over future benchmark performance.
TfL under fire over ‘unfair’ proposed Piccadilly line premium fare to Heathrow January 20, 2022 Transport for London (TfL) is under fire over a proposed increase to Piccadilly line’s journeys to Heathrow, according to recent reports. To be put in place between Zone 1 and Zone 6, the ‘premium fare’ would see commuters pay 60 per cent more to travel, with peak prices implemented all day instead of during rush [...]