Petrol prices spiral to record highs putting more pressure on motorists May 18, 2022 Diesel and petrol prices climbed to record highs yesterday, putting more pressure on squeezed motorists as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
Bank of England to launch brisk rate hike cycle to tame 40-year high inflation May 18, 2022 The Bank of England will have to launch a cycle of steeper and quicker rate hikes to tame the steepest rise in living costs in four decades, according to City economists. The case for front-loading rate rises is strengthening after new figures published this morning by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed inflation climbed [...]
Starmer calls windfall tax ‘inevitable’ as Tories show signs of wobbling over the levy May 18, 2022 Internal government polling has found support for a windfall tax on the profits of energy firms is “wildly” popular..
Liz Truss plays down calls for windfall tax May 18, 2022 Foreign secretary Liz Truss has played down calls for a windfall tax on energy firms, saying “we need to attract investment”, and a tax would be a deterrent. Speaking on Sky News this morning, she appeared to be at odds with calls made by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday, who said nothing was off the [...]
Andrew Bailey is putting the Bank’s independence at risk if he wavers on inflation May 18, 2022 Andrew Bailey’s ability to steer monetary policy through the inflation crisis will determine the Bank’s future strength
Windfall tax not ruled out as Sunak urges energy giants to invest in UK energy sector May 18, 2022 Chancellor Rishi Sunak refused to rule out a windfall tax on energy companies yesterday, warning that “no option is off the table."
Petrol firms defend ‘nauseating prices’ as business minister implores retailers to pass on fuel duty cut May 17, 2022 Retailers have defended forecourt prices as politicians call for costs to be slashed after a fuel duty cut earlier this year. Business minister Kwasi Kwarteng has written to businesses to implore them to pass on the savings from a 5p per litre cut in fuel duty introduced in March. It comes after motoring group the [...]
The City View: Michael Hewson on problematic consumer spending growth May 17, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Michael Hewson, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets. They unpick the latest wage and labour figures, analyse Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey’s comments at the Treasury select committee, go through inflation predictions for 2022, and discuss why current consumer spending growth in the US and UK will be problematic [...]
Sunak warns energy companies ‘no option is off the table’ amid calls for a windfall tax May 17, 2022 Domestic energy companies could still face a windfall tax this year, if they fail to invest in the UK's energy sector, warned Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Wages trail inflation as Brits brace for cost of living crunch to enter most damaging spell May 17, 2022 Brits’ spending power is being crimped at a historic rate, but is set to plunge even quicker as the cost of living crunch enters its most damaging period, reveals official figures published today. Regular pay adjusted for inflation dropped at the fastest pace in nearly a decade over the last quarter to March, falling 1.2 [...]