Brits had most volatile year for fuel costs as CMA probe ‘rocket and feather’ pricing December 6, 2022 Brits have suffered the most volatile year on record for fuel prices, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and cost of living crisis continued to pile pressure on drivers the pumps. New analysis published today show fuel prices rose by 50p a litre from January to July, which is the largest leap ever recorded. It [...]
Marston’s swings back to profit as pub chain anticipates Christmas without Covid limits December 6, 2022 Marston’s has welcomed being in the black, after trade at its pub estate recovered from the side effects of Covid-19 lockdowns this year. In results for the year to 1 October, the community pub operator posted a total profit before tax of £163.4 m, versus a loss of £171.1m the year prior. The operator of around [...]
Done well, devolution could leave our terrible politicians with nowhere to hide December 6, 2022 If fiscal decisions are made locally, taxpayers may find it easier to scrutinise, with local politicians finding fewer places to hide.
Searcys boss: London venues set for ‘real reality check’ in the new year with spending slowdown warnings December 5, 2022 London restaurants face a “real reality check” come January and February, as consumers will pull back from dining out after Christmas, the boss of champagne bar chain Searcys has warned. Diners will “want to batten down the hatches” next year after enjoying their first Christmas free of Covid measures in three years, with the cost [...]
Britain’s charity sector is being buffeted by the winds of the recession December 5, 2022 The charity sector in the UK is massive. Not just the sheer number of charities, the amount they contribute to the economy or the number of people they employ (165,000, £20bn and 950,000 respectively), but most importantly, their impact. Most of you reading this, whether you know it or not, will have had your lives [...]
UK recession to officially begin this winter, City economists predict December 5, 2022 The UK’s recession will officially begin this winter and is likely to last for most of next year, a closely watched survey out today suggests. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) measuring private sector activity in November was unchanged at 48.2, the lowest number since [...]
Letters: Looming talent shortages December 5, 2022 [Re: Halfords focusing on offering shoppers more essentials as they slash discretionary spending, Nov 23] Unsurprisingly, the cost of living crisis is impacting shopping habits. In fact, Fourth’s data shows consumers will spend less on a variety of items from holidays to groceries next year. So we may expect more announcements from retailers, and whilst [...]
Activists protest at British Museum and Scottish Power over rising energy bills December 3, 2022 Campaigners have staged protests in buildings including the British Museum and Scottish Power HQ against rising energy bills and “sky-rocketing” levels of fuel poverty, according to organisers. Members of the grass-roots movements Don’t Pay UK and Fuel Poverty Action said campaigners had bedded down with blankets, sleeping bags and hot water bottles in the foyer [...]
John Lewis seals £500m deal with Abrdn to enter rental property market December 2, 2022 John Lewis has signed a £500m deal with investment giant Abrdn to enter the rental property market. The agreement announced today will see the High Street titan deliver a thousands new homes a year, with a view to having built 10,000 in the next decade. In a bid to diversify and move away from dependency [...]
Wizz Air pandemic turnaround well underway as passenger numbers fly December 2, 2022 Wizz Air’s pandemic turnaround is well underway, with passenger numbers increasing soaring in the past year. The European carrier carried 3.6 million passengers in November, representing a 70 per cent increase compared to November 2021. In the past 12-months, Wizz Air has carried 44.1 million travellers – a rise of more than 120 per cent. [...]