Cocktail of headwinds freeze business confidence November 30, 2021 A cocktail of soaring inflation, ongoing staff shortages and looming tax hikes is leaving optimism about the UK economy among business leaders unstuck, according to new research published today. The Institute of Directors’ (IoD) economic confidence index, a closely watched survey taking the pulse of optimism among business leaders, remained unchanged at minus six in [...]
UK economy to return to anaemic growth as cost of living crisis spikes Brits November 30, 2021 A triple threat of a worsening cost of living crisis, higher interest rates and a pulling of government Covid-19 support will throw the UK economy back into an anaemic state, according to new research published today. Swelling energy bills and rising costs for basic necessities will cause households on tight budgets to rein in spending, [...]
Mel Stride MP urges chancellor to slash taxes to ease cost of living crisis November 29, 2021 The chairman of an influential group of MPs that scrutinises the spending plans of the government has told Tory chancellor Rishi Sunak to slash taxes to ease the cost of living crisis looming over Brits. Speaking to the PA news agency, Conservative MP Mel Stride, who chairs the Treasury Committee, called on the chancellor to [...]
London hotels hope for a cracker Christmas as Covid recovery lags behind rest of country November 25, 2021 London hotels are still lagging behind in their Covid recovery compared to rivals elsewhere – but have reported strong festive bookings. The capital’s occupancy rates were 26 per cent behind pre-pandemic levels last month, as the sector continues to suffer from the slow return of international tourists and business travellers. Hotels are also facing a [...]
Soaring inflation in construction could spell disaster for housing in England November 25, 2021 The construction industry has been hit badly by inflation. Material prices are up: in terms of year on year increase, structural steel is at 65 per cent, reinforcement steel is at 62 per cent and plywood is at 56 per cent. Familiar supply chain problems are causing delays, and the cost of both energy and [...]
All Bar One and Harvester owner struggles to shake Covid losses November 25, 2021 The owner of All Bar One, Harvester and Toby Carvery - Mitchells & Butler - has today announced lacklustre financials for the year.
Millions of Brits plunged into financial crisis by whirlpool of inflation and swelling energy bills November 25, 2021 Swelling energy bills, soaring inflation and stinging food costs have plunged millions of Brits into a winter financial crisis, reveal new figures released today. 3.2m poorer households who rely on wafer thin budgets to meet the cost of living will be unable to pay for basic things, research by Citizens Advice, the charity that supports [...]
Banknote printer De La Rue overcomes loss of UK passport but warns there may be more job cuts November 24, 2021 Banknote printer De La Rue has notched up a jump in half-year profits as cost savings and turnaround plans helped it overcome the loss of its UK passport contract. The group saw pre-tax profits leap to £10.9m in the six months to September 26, up from £2.5m a year ago, as underlying revenues edged 0.9 [...]
Oil prices recover to week-high totals despite US commitment to releasing 50m barrels November 23, 2021 Oil prices have rebounded towards $81 on both benchmarks yesterday despite US plans to release 50m barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Energy cap backlash gets louder as MP who called for measure says it has ‘completely failed’ November 23, 2021 The energy price cap has “completely failed” says John Penrose, the Conservative MP who first called for a consumer tariff in parliament.