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 [...]
BoE deputy governor voted for ‘front-loaded’ tightening to quash wage pressures February 22, 2022 Strengthening wage pressures risking further upside inflation surprises led a deputy governor at the Bank of England to vote for a “front-loaded tightening in monetary policy”. Sir Dave Ramsden, a member of the Bank’s rate setting committee who voted for a 50 basis point rate hike at Threadneedle Street’s last meeting, said yesterday further hikes [...]
Golden opportunity: Worried investors drive the rally February 22, 2022 Gold prices have rebounded this month, with the precious metal glittering in the gloom amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West.
Factory prices set to accelerate at fastest rate since mid-1970s as inflationary pressures bulge February 22, 2022 Factory prices are set to soar at their fastest pace since the mid 1970s as inflationary pressures in the UK economy dial up, according to a closely watched survey published today. A net balance of 77 per cent of British manufacturers intend to hike prices over the next three months, according to a survey by [...]
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 [...]
All aboard the crypto train? February 22, 2022 Are you a wealth manager who believes bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are a passing fad or worse? You’re not alone. But you also may want to reconsider. The wealthiest clients certainly don’t agree and they are voting with their wallets. In fact, 72% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have invested in crypto, according to the 2021 [...]
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 [...]
Johanna Kyrklund: Putin and the Fed remind us what risk looks like February 22, 2022 Ski holidays are not relaxing at the best of times, especially with children. There is the fretting about injuries – I am thankful when we finish each day unscathed. There is the infuriation of getting children into their clothes and ski boots each day. That’s not even to mention the pain of Heathrow passport control. [...]
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 [...]