All eyes on the Pound as Sterling set for bounce on Truss’s energy bill freeze September 8, 2022 It’s a big day in the markets with Liz Truss set to confirm her energy plans. The proposals are set to place a huge burden on the UK’s already strained finances. UK energy bills are set to rise to more than £3,500 a year for the average household from October, with Truss expected to outline [...]
Primark profit margins to be hit by high energy costs and shoppers’ budget worries September 8, 2022 Primark owner Associated British Foods said it expects the retailer’s profit margins to take a hit next year due to rising energy costs. In a trading update on Thursday morning, the retailer said it anticipated Primark’s profit margin to be lower than expected as the budget-chain has opted to limit further price hikes. ABF acknowledged [...]
London’s FTSE 100 hit by slumping energy prices and downturn jitters September 7, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 today was ensnared by investors fretting over a slowdown in the world economy and falling energy prices. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.86 per cent to 7,237.83 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, edged 0.05 per cent lower to [...]
Liz Truss energy price freeze would peg inflation, BoE chief economist says September 7, 2022 LIZ Truss’s plan to freeze energy prices would prevent inflation from scaling to its highest level since 1980, but interest rates may have to stay higher for longer, the Bank of England’s top wonk said today. Huw Pill, the monetary authority’s chief economist, told the commons treasury committee that the new prime minister’s cost of [...]
North Sea body and unions warn offshore workers against wildcat strikes September 7, 2022 The UK's leading North Sea body has warned against wildcat strikes tomorrow, as have unions including GMB, RMT and Unite.
Pound sinks to lowest level against US dollar since 1985 September 7, 2022 The pound today sunk to its lowest level against the US dollar since 1985, driven by investors sweating over the health of the UK economy and a borrowing splurge. Sterling fell to $1.1406 briefly today, marking another dismal milestone for the currency. The last time the pound fell that low was when Margaret Thatcher was [...]
Almost half of Brits stop saving and paying into pension due to short-term money problems September 7, 2022 Almost half of Brits have stopped saving, investing and paying into pensions because of short-term financial pressures. With soaring inflation, rising interest rates and an impending increase in energy bills, 46 per cent of those polled by NerdWallet say they’ve cut back on long-term money planning. Among those who are cutting back, 43 per cent [...]
Housebuilder Barratt shares slide despite pandemic recovery and £5.2bn revenue September 7, 2022 Housebuilder Barratt Developments’ shares slid this morning despite its construction output recovering to pre-pandemic levels and a rosy revenue of £5.26bn. The FTSE-listed housebuilder’s annual results coincided with a caution from Halifax today, warning of a housing market slowdown amid the cost of living crisis, soaring energy bills and rising mortgage interest rates. Completions climbed [...]
London house prices hit record £554,718 after highest annual growth in six years September 7, 2022 The average cost of a home in London has hit a record £554,718, after reporting the highest annual house price inflation in six years, according to the country’s longest running index. While house price growth in the capital has continued to lag behind other parts of the UK, the rate of annual growth now stands [...]
Siemens refutes Gazprom claims for Nord Stream pipeline shutdown September 6, 2022 Gazprom's claims that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is down due to faulty equipment were called into question by Siemens Energy.