Millions of Londoners slip into housing nightmare as rents are now higher than before pandemic while landlords pull out March 14, 2022 All UK regions experienced year on year room rent increases in February, with London seeing the biggest increases since before the pandemic began. London average room rents now stand at £796 per month, having reached lows of £703 (March 2021) during the pandemic, according to the data by SpareRoom, shared with City A.M. this morning. [...]
Office for National Statistics throws men’s suits out of inflation calculation basket and adds meat-free sausages March 14, 2022 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has added meat-free sausages, sports bras and anti-bac wipes to the basket of goods its statisticians use to calculate price hikes. In its annual shake up of the basket, the ONS added 19 items to its Consumer Prices Index and threw out 15 items. Products to be added include [...]
Labour opens up 30-point lead over Tories in London, says new poll March 14, 2022 Labour has a 30-point lead over the Conservatives in London with less than two months until a crucial set of local elections, according to a new poll. A new survey by Deltapoll, and commissioned by the London Communications Agency, has Labour on 54 per cent, the Tories on 24 per cent and the Liberal Democrats [...]
UK looks north: Oil and gas remain key to energy independence March 14, 2022 The UK is seemingly committed to North Sea oil and gas as it cuts itself off from Russian energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine.
Fridays owner Hostmore revenue soars in maiden results as CEO warns of ‘challenges raised by Ukraine crisis’ March 14, 2022 Fridays owner Hostmore has reported revenue standing at £159m as the hospitality operator strikes out on its own after a demerger. Hostmore made its debut on the London Stock Exchange last November after it was made a separate entity from Electra Private Equity. Now, in results for the 53 weeks ended 2 January 2022, the [...]
Iran suspends Saudi Arabia talks while US deal hits Russian roadblock March 13, 2022 Iran has paused talks with Saudi Arabia while Russian demands have curtailed its attempts to revive former arrangements with the US.
Rishi Sunak preparing more help for families facing rising energy bills March 13, 2022 Rishi Sunak is reportedly drawing up plans to provide more financial help to families facing further increases in energy bills in the wake of the Russo-Ukraine war. The chancellor is expected to outline details of a two-stage intervention to ease the cost of living crisis during his spring statement on 23 March, according to the [...]
Rishi Sunak urged to ‘turn wise words into action’ by FSB chair after small retailers feel ‘abandoned’ March 11, 2022 The chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged chancellor Rishi Sunak to “turn wise words into action”, after the vast majority of micro firms said they felt “abandoned” by his policies. As the cost of living crisis continues to bite for retailers and consumers alike, 2,000 independent retailers were surveyed through Not [...]
We need to hold our nerve on green levies as the energy crisis starts to bite March 11, 2022 Disruption in the energy markets is set to drive up bills for every family and business in Britain. With gas prices in the UK recently reaching an all-time high, the consumer impact will be profound. Millions of households are expected to see annual energy bills of £3,000, and many face fuel poverty in an escalating [...]
Supermarkets made hay from restrictions, now they need to consolidate to keep going March 11, 2022 THE rapid grocery delivery sector has grown at a staggering pace across Europe and the US. Two years on from when we first saw Getir, Weezy, Zapp and Gorillas advertised on buses and hoardings across London, data from the ONS revealed the average weekly sales of online groceries in December 2021 were £372m – more [...]