Forget tech, hospitality or transport: These are Britain’s most profitable sectors September 13, 2022 At the beginning of this year, the UK counted around 5.6 million private sector businesses. Described as the backbone of the UK’s economy, SMEs account for 99.9 per cent of all businesses in Britain. With house prices currently at a record high, it’s no surprise that business and property services are amongst the sectors making the most profit in the [...]
Most UK homebuyers and owners are locking in mortgage rates as rises loom September 13, 2022 The majority of homebuyers and owners are locking in their mortgage rates to escape looming rate rises later this year, according to the latest data. Most new buyers – some 95.5 per cent – are taking out fixed rate mortgages, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found, while the proportion of mortgaged homeowners fixing their rates [...]
Sainsbury’s injects £20m into boosting shop workers’ wages September 13, 2022 Sainsbury’s has said it will boost pay for its shop workers in London to £11.20 per hour, as well as offering employees free food amid the cost of living crisis. The supermarket said it was investing £25m into supporting its hourly paid workers, with some £20m being pumped into employees’ pay packets. Employees at Sainsbury’s [...]
UK joblessness falls to 1970s low, but pay continues to plummet September 13, 2022 UK joblessness has slid to its lowest level since 1974, but scorching inflation is still wiping out Brits’ pay, official figures published today reveal. The proportion of people out of work dropped to 3.6 per cent in the three months to July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Despite the historic low unemployment [...]
Ocado shoppers sent to cut back on spending at online grocer September 13, 2022 Ocado has warned its grocery shoppers will cut back on spending as they turn to cheaper supermarkets and add less to their baskets. In a trading update, the London-listed firm noted “accelerating trading down and smaller baskets, particularly over the last few weeks” and said it now expected to see “a small sales decline” in [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? September 13, 2022 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Kantar Data insights company Kantar has appointed a managing partner to lead its consultancy practice. Natalie Vander Vorst is set to lead the 150-person strong practice, which advises brands on commercial and marketing strategies. Over her career, [...]
Energy bills is Kwarteng’s first priority, then we must claw back our dismal productivity September 12, 2022 A looming 15-month long recession. Highest debt burden since the 1960s. Biggest living standards shock on record. It’s not the best time to be managing the UK economy. But that’s exactly what newly appointed chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has been tasked with. His problems can be split into three categories: short, medium and long term. Kwarteng’s [...]
Asos warn on profits as cost of living crisis hits consumers September 9, 2022 Asos has cautioned over profits after sales fell below expectations in August as consumers tightened their belts in response to rising bills. The online fashion giant said it saw “good growth” in June and July and expects total sales for the year to August 31 to remain within market expectations. However, it said it is [...]
London’s FTSE 100 kicks higher ahead of Truss energy package September 8, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 kicked higher today after new prime minister Liz Truss launched an around £130bn cost of living support package. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.33 per cent to 7,262.06 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, added 0.36 per cent to [...]
Economists warn UK to face blackouts under Liz Truss energy plan September 8, 2022 Economists today warned prime minister Liz Truss’s decision to freeze energy bills for everyone in the UK at £2,500 raises the risk of blackouts. Experts at the economic think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said energy supplies may run dry due to the government propping up energy spending. “Households, businesses or governments… will [...]