‘Worse than the pandemic’: Pub bodies warn of closures as energy bills relief scheme ends April 4, 2023 Hospitality bodies have warned that business failure is worse now than it was during the pandemic as the sector braces itself for the first month of trading following the end of the government’s energy bill relief scheme. “We’re seeing an acceleration of business failure which is now worse than the pandemic,” Emma McClarkin, chief executive [...]
Recession fears see Brits stock up on own-brand kitchen staples April 3, 2023 THE COST of living crisis is beginning to be felt in the pockets of ordinary punters – with more than one in three turning towards own brand products to keep the kitchen cupboard stocked. New research from KPMG suggests more than half of UK consumers have reduced ‘non-essential’ spending amid recession fears, with eating out top of [...]
The New Reason People Don’t Want To Come Back To The Office April 3, 2023 More than a third of UK workers would quit their current role if their employer demanded they return to the office full time. That’s according to recent data which found that 32% would move to a different industry, 19% would take a pay cut, and 30% would adopt a new career in order to continue [...]
UK narrowly avoids recession as penny pinching Brits help GDP grow 0.1 per cent March 31, 2023 The UK was not formally in a dreaded recession between October and December, with UK GDP increasing slightly by 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the economy marginally improved from an initial estimate of “no growth”. [...]
Broadband, mobile bills and council tax rises threaten ‘awful April’ for householders already facing cost of living crisis March 31, 2023 Households battling the cost of living crisis are facing an onslaught of price hikes that could leave the average family hundreds of pounds a year worse off. From April 1, millions of people will face increases to their broadband, mobile, water and council tax bills. Most local authorities are putting up council tax by 5 [...]
Can online favourite Ocado make a comeback, or will its share price sink lower? March 28, 2023 Ocado’s share price fell nearly six per cent in afternoon trade as the “magic” of the online retailer’s venture with Marks and Spencer did little to buoy the confidence of investors In its start of year trading update Ocado revealed that retail revenue grew slightly by 3.4 per cent, although a 7.5 per cent decrease [...]
Why energy experts support Shapps’ slashing of the green levies March 28, 2023 Shapps’ plan has received a warmer response from the industry, with the debate over shifting levies to taxes or gas bills.
The Notebook: Victoria Scholar on inflation, Ocado’s woes, and why Ted Lasso is a blessed relief March 28, 2023 The Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned firms against rising prices to offset inflation. He told the BBC, “please understand if we get inflation embedded, interest rates will have to go up further and higher inflation really benefits nobody.” The latest UK inflation rate for February surprised economists by picking up again to [...]
Good Energy pushes forward with transition to green lifestyle brand in bid to stand out from Big Six suppliers March 28, 2023 Good Energy's profit margins have been slashed. with higher prices for households not keeping pace with last year's spike in gas prices.
Food inflation soars to record 15 per cent as sugar price hike leaves retailers warning of more misery to come March 28, 2023 Shop price inflation is yet to reach its “peak” as the rising cost of sugar and high manufacturing costs present a double whammy ahead of crucial Easter trade, a leading retail body has warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) shop price index showed annual inflation accelerated to 8.9 per cent in March, up from 8.4 [...]