Energy bills expected to fall £150 a year from October, say analysts August 18, 2023 The amount that an average household is expected to pay for its energy bills will fall by around £150 per year from the start of October, according to a new forecast. Ofgem’s next price cap, which will be announced on Friday next week, will drop to around £1,925, according to the latest forecast from Cornwall [...]
‘Greedflation’ not behind UK price rises, new data indicates August 17, 2023 Corporate profiteering, or ‘greedflation’, is not the driving force behind UK price rises, new data out today indicates. The profitability of private non-financial corporations grew by 0.1 per cent between the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported. It found that the net rate of [...]
Sunak commits to triple lock hinting pensions could rise by eight per cent August 17, 2023 Rishi Sunak has signalled that state pensions could go up next year by almost eight per cent as he committed to maintaining the “triple lock”. Under the triple lock, the state pension is uprated in April by inflation, wages or 2.5 per cent, whichever is higher. Wage growth is currently the highest of the three [...]
Mecca Bingo owner hit by high energy costs and wage inflation – but bets on things improving August 17, 2023 Mecca Bingo owner Rank Group reported a 52 per cent decline in like-for-like underlying operating profit for the year as it was hit hard by energy bills and raising wage inflation. But, the gambling giant is also raising its outlook for the year as the economy stabilises. In April, the business raised its profit guidance [...]
Rishi Sunak: Brits will never have it so good (next year) despite ‘real risk’ of recession August 17, 2023 Rishi Sunak has outlined his hopes to ensure Britons feel better off next year, amid warnings that the UK economy faces a “very real risk” of recession due to higher interest rates. The Prime Minister attempted to strike an optimistic tone when asked about efforts to tame inflation, as he said there is a need [...]
How is Sunak doing on halving inflation, cutting NHS lists and stopping boats? August 16, 2023 In January, Rishi Sunak unveiled the vision for his government. Five pledges; five clear goals; five ambitions for his ministers. His aim was clear: be seen as an effective, solutions-focused administration and, hopefully, reap the electoral rewards. “No tricks, no ambiguity; we’re either delivering for you or we’re not,” he vowed. Eight months in, and [...]
Inflation: Falling energy bills and price cap helps drive down prices August 16, 2023 Falling energy costs are taming once rampant inflation rates, with the consumer price index rising at its lowest rate since last February.
‘The plan is working’: Sunak hails falling inflation – but PM warned targets still in jeopardy August 16, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have welcomed today’s dramatic fall in inflation to 6.8 per cent, with the prime minister saying it shows his “plan is working”. The government welcomed today’s news of falling headline inflation, despite expectations the Bank of England is still likely to hike interest rates for a 15th straight time. However, [...]
Headline inflation slows again but Bank set for further rate rise August 16, 2023 Inflation has fallen to 6.8 per cent thanks to energy price falls, but core inflation remains sticky
Russia hikes rates to 12 per cent as ruble plummets to lowest level since Ukraine invasion August 15, 2023 Russia’s central bank has raised its key interest rate by 3.5% in a move designed to fight inflation and strengthen the ruble after the country’s currency reached its lowest value since early in the war with Ukraine. The decision to hike the key rate to 12% was announced after an emergency meeting of the bank’s [...]