The City needs certainty our global outlook will continue in spite of high political drama July 11, 2022 Political turmoil and division have dominated the news agenda on both sides of the Atlantic, albeit for different reasons. And with the changes at the top of British politics, it is vital that government continues investing in London’s infrastructure, promoting innovation, and developing the UK’s status as a leading financial centre. Our financial and professional [...]
JD Wetherspoon shareholders await impact of cost of living on budget pub chain’s pint sales July 10, 2022 Investors will be eager to see if the cost of living crisis has made any dent to JD Wetherspoon sales in the budget pub chain’s quarterly update this week. Analysts said a wider downturn in consumer spending could be mitigated by the chain’s cheaper prices enticing drinkers but thin margins risked a gloomy verdict. The [...]
Week ahead: City eyes new economy figures and Bank governor Bailey comments July 10, 2022 The City will turn its gaze to fresh GDP figures published this week for signs that the UK is already in the teeth of a recession in a busy week of data announcements. London’s premier FTSE 100 index shook off the turmoil in Downing Street to climb 0.38 per cent and finish the week at [...]
Next era is knocking: Possible runners and riders to replace Boris Johnson as Tory leader and PM July 10, 2022 Boris Johnson announced on Thursday he has agreed to step down as Prime Minister in September, following the resignation of Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak on Tuesday and a wave of government resignations this week. Looking ahead, City A.M. zooms in on potential frontrunners to replace Johnson as Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak The former Chancellor’s [...]
Transport secretary Grant Shapps launches Tory leadership bid July 9, 2022 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has launched his bid for the Tory leadership. “It is easy to criticise Boris after keeping one’s head down for years while being happy to benefit from his patronage,” he told the Sunday Times. “I am glad that I did not do that. “I have not spent the last few turbulent [...]
80 per cent of all Brits have less than £500 in their account as hordes of people are slipping into debt July 9, 2022 The number of customers with persistent debt problems has jumped by almost a third as the cost-of-living crisis bites further, the boss of Lloyds said this morning. Charlie Nunn, who took over at the finance giant, said customers are “concerned” about the economy but said he believes many are talking “too negatively” about the financial [...]
Brits slash spending on essentials as cost of living soars July 8, 2022 Brits are tightening the purse strings and cutting back on essentials as the cost of living continues to soar, according to official polling today.
‘Pump-price competition is broken’: AA disagrees with watchdog’s verdict that 5p tax duty cut WAS passed on at the pump July 8, 2022 Motoring groups have disagreed with Competition and Markets Authority’s verdict that the 5p fuel duty cut was reflected in pump prices, as the watchdog calls for further investigation and more transparency. The CMA’s urgent review, ordered by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, found an increase “refining spread” added 24p a litre to petrol and diesel over [...]
In memoriam: Gove started to crack open a housing crisis paralysed by indecision July 8, 2022 Amid the utter chaos of the last 72 hours – from the torrent of ministerial resignations to Boris Johnson’s own painful almost-exit – there was someone who was ushered out of Cabinet – Michael Gove. A long-time frenemy of the prime minister, Gove had been appointed Secretary of State for Housing – soon after renamed [...]
Shop visits increase as shoppers hunt for cheapest prices but sales growth lags July 8, 2022 Visits to shops have increased as shoppers hunt for the cheapest prices, however this has not translated into sales growth amid the cost of living crisis. According to data from the British Retail Consortium, UK footfall increased by two percentage points in June, versus the prior month. Shoppers were hunting for the best deals as [...]