Bordeaux is back on the investment table as Hong Kong buyers boost price February 9, 2015 BORDEAUX prices are back at 2010 levels, with the cost of some of the French regions’ best-known brands returning to pre-crisis peaks. Bordeaux Index, which monitors fine wine prices, said yesterday that while prices had soured in recent years, the supply excess had now “worked out of the market” and export demand is increasing again, [...]
Failure to save is socially irresponsible: Only bold policies will fix this crisis February 1, 2015 PEOPLE are not saving enough. We hear that all the time and yet we ignore this uncomfortable truth and carry on with our daily lives. Only half of us have a pension scheme and, even allowing for other savings and investments, most of us have probably not put away enough, especially given the spiralling cost [...]
UK house price growth slowest since 2013 January 29, 2015 House prices in the UK have risen at the slowest pace in more than a year, according to the latest figures from building society Nationwide, a further sign that the UK housing market is cooling. Annual house price growth slowed for the fifth month straight to 6.8 per cent this month, down from 7.2 per [...]
We need to end our apathy towards money – before it’s too late January 27, 2015 IT IS an inescapable truth that the UK is facing a crisis of an ageing population. Our research shows that anyone currently under the age of 45 will not be able to rely on the state pension to provide their income in later life. Due to the ever-growing cost of living and lower savings, the [...]
Ed Miliband: Britain “choking on their cornflakes” over Cameron’s pay rise from oil price plea January 17, 2015 Ed Miliband has slammed David Cameron for urging businesses to pass on savings from falling oil prices to staff in the form of higher wages. The Labour leader said the country were “choking on their cornflakes” after hearing Cameron’s plea, speaking at the Fabian Society conference. He accused the Prime Minister of years of “denial, [...]
Cameron tells business to pass on falling oil price benefits to staff through higher wages January 17, 2015 Businesses reaping the rewards of plummeting oil prices have been urged to pass on the savings to staff in the form of higher pay by David Cameron. Asked about the matter on a visit to Washington, the Prime Minister told reporters: "Obviously I want to see companies’ success passed through in terms of wage increases. [...]
Blame the coalition for rising childcare costs: London’s mayor must get a grip January 14, 2015 I’m A dad to two wonderful teenage daughters, so I know that being a parent in London can be challenging. Like most Londoners, my job is hectic. I often leave home before my girls are up in the morning, and in the evening, votes and constituency meetings mean I don’t get home till late. My [...]
Blame the Green Belt for Britain’s dire housing crisis: Reform is long overdue January 13, 2015 The UK, and particularly London, is in the midst of what should be seen as a housing crisis. According to LSE professor Paul Cheshire, new build houses are about 40 per cent bigger in the Netherlands and 38 per cent bigger in Germany than they are in England. And yet housing goes for 45 per [...]
Eurozone QE will be the most inefficient yet – CNBC Comment January 12, 2015 THE MARKET is expecting confirmation of a QE plan from European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi very soon. Indeed, CNBC learned yesterday that the ECB will more than likely base its highly-anticipated sovereign bond buying on the size of contributions made by national central banks. But whatever form it takes, it will almost certainly [...]
Angela Merkel and Syriza are about to open Pandora’s box: Watch out, Eurozone January 11, 2015 It is not often that I feel sorry for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Having lived in her country since 2006, for me she is the most overrated of modern politicians, having accomplished almost nothing in terms of substantive policy achievements, while somehow being lionised for her lack of ambition. She is the archetype of this [...]