Bank of England hikes rates for third successive meeting in bid to catch rampant inflation March 17, 2022 The Bank of England today hiked interest rates for the third successive meeting for the first time since 1997 as it tries to catch up with rampant inflation that is threatening to derail the UK economy. Rate setters at Threadneedle Street sent borrowing costs 25 basis points higher, taking them to pre-pandemic levels of 0.75 [...]
Gordon Brown joins 50 charities urging action on cost of living crisis, u-turn on ‘unthinkable’ below-inflation benefit rise March 17, 2022 Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined around 50 charities urging the government to urgently address the cost of living crisis, and change its mind on a below-inflation benefits rise. Pressure was growing on ministers this week not to go ahead with the rise of 3.1 per cent in the Spring statement, as inflation is set [...]
Think tanks call for government to ensure secure gas supplies as market crisis deepens March 16, 2022 Think tanks call on government must ensure gas supplies are resilient this winter following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and spiking wholesale costs.
US Federal Reserve hikes rates for first time since 2018 as lift off begins March 16, 2022 The US Federal Reserve today hiked the world’s most important interest rate for the first time since 2018 in what is expected to be the first step in one of the fastest tightening cycles in recent history. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised rates 25 basis points to between [...]
Interview: Former rate setter Andrew Sentance on Governor Bailey’s ‘off the cuff’ remarks and where the BoE went wrong March 16, 2022 It is often a mark of how dire an economy’s situation is when incremental rises in interest rates hit the front pages. The worst cost of living crunch in a generation has, however, sent the Bank of England to the front of many households’ minds. Those outside of the City care less about the vagaries [...]
Fintechs call for open banking body to be ‘weaponised’ and simplified as CMA mulls its future March 16, 2022 Fintech firms have called for open banking’s governing body to be “weaponised” and simplified, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) prepares to deliver a verdict on its future next week.
UK recorded music hits a high note thanks to vinyl and CD revivals March 16, 2022 UK recorded music continues to hit a high note, with revenue up 12.8 per cent to £1.26bn following 2020’s pandemic slump.
New Zealand halves public transport fares amid soaring inflation, fuel prices March 15, 2022 New Zealand has halved prices for public transport in response to soaring fuel costs sparked by the war in Ukraine. Its Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the call saying the “global energy crisis has quickly become acute”. However, her government has been criticised for the rising cost of living even before the war started, with [...]
When solidarity dissolves, Britain needs to get a grip of immigration rules March 15, 2022 Yesterday, Secretary for Levelling up Michael Gove unveiled the Homes for Ukraine scheme, aimed at welcoming “tens of thousands” of refugees fleeing the war. The scheme seeks to complement the first corridor the government made available for Ukrainians who have relatives in the UK. Discontent inside and outside Westminster has been rife, with Downing Street [...]
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms support for North Sea oil and gas industry March 14, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave his backing to the North Sea oil and gas industry as the UK looks to ensure supply security.