Oil prices climb towards $100 as the West rolls out sanctions on Russia February 23, 2022 The escalating crisis on Ukraine’s eastern flank saw oil prices inch towards $100 a barrel for the first time in almost a decade yesterday.
Millions of Brits go bargain hunting as they are forced to tighten their belts in cost of living crisis February 23, 2022 As energy prices soar and inflation hits a 30 year high, millions of British households have embarked on a hunt for bargains and discounts. In fact, 41 per cent of shoppers stated that they would actively look for bargains as they prepare to tighten their belts; with a further 35 per cent of shoppers saying [...]
Firms on the hunt for staff despite labour squeeze February 23, 2022 Employers are planning on expanding their workforce despite an ongoing labour squeeze scuppering recruitment efforts, reveals a new survey published today. A net 24 per cent of companies intend to ramp up hiring over both the medium and long term, according to a survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Strong hiring intentions indicate [...]
Russia is overplaying its hand to try and force the West to give concessions February 22, 2022 AS world leaders plunge into an eleventh hour bid to talk Vladimir Putin down from the edge of a war with Ukraine, the fundamental misconceptions at the heart of Russia’s objectives in Ukraine must be dispelled in order to calibrate the right response. Russia wants a pro-Moscow administration in Ukraine without having to undertake a [...]
Government interest bill hits highest ever level for a January February 22, 2022 The government’s interest bill swelled to its level ever for a January since records began in the late 1990s as inflation burns a hole in the UK’s public finances. The amount the government spent on servicing its debt hit £6.1bn last month, up £4.5bn over the last year, according to the Office for National Statistics [...]
Public sector debt climbs to record £2.32 trillion: 94.9 per cent of Britain’s GDP February 22, 2022 Government borrowing hit a surplus of £2.9 billion in January, reversing a £2.5 billion deficit in the same month a year earlier, according to official figures published this morning. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector borrowing from the end of March to December was £138.5 billion – the second highest since records [...]
Fuel surpasses last week’s record prices, reaching unprecedented 149p per litre February 21, 2022 Fuel prices have surpassed those of last week – which saw forecourts charge motorists 148p per litre – and reached record highs. According to RAC data, yesterday petrol prices reached 149.12p per litre while diesel was at 152.58p, meaning that it costs respectively £82 and £84 to fill a vehicle. “While the price of oil [...]
Homebuyers flood back to London amid return to office February 21, 2022 Movers are flocking back to London as the spectre of the Covid-19 crisis over the capital’s housing market fades away, reveals fresh figures published today. The scrapping of restrictions on daily life to curb infections and the return to the office is driving homebuyers to put London back at the top of their desired locations. [...]
Exclusive: Starmer to back away from 2019 Labour manifesto with series of key speeches February 18, 2022 Sir Keir Starmer will try to definitively distance himself from Labour’s far-left 2019 election manifesto in a series of key speeches over the next few months. This will begin next week when the Labour leader makes a speech outlining his stance on some “meaty” economic issues as he sets out “a totally distinct path from [...]
January retail sales boosted as cost of living crisis looms February 18, 2022 January retail sales volumes lifted 1.9 per cent last month while retailers prepare for consumers to limit spending as bills soar. According to the latest retail data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes marked the largest monthly increase since April 2021 when non-essential retailing reopened. An increase came after a four per [...]