PMI: UK private sector grows at fastest pace in three months October 22, 2021 Growth in the UK’s private sector has grown at the fastest pace in three months, according to a closely-watched survey. The IHS Markit/CIPS flash UK composite PMI report came in at 57.7 more than halfway through October, up from last month’s 54.1 at the same period. Scores above 50 represent growth, while anything below that [...]
Cascade of ‘cheerless’ economic news weighs on consumer confidence October 22, 2021 A cascade of “cheerless” news about the health of the UK economy has caused consumer confidence to plummet. Severe petrol and food shortages, compounded by soaring energy costs and wider inflationary pressures has engineered a cost of living crisis in the UK and stalled the economic recovery. As a result, consumer confidence slid to minus [...]
Roaring inflation to shove government borrowing back to expected levels October 21, 2021 Roaring inflation will shove government borrowing back to expected levels in the coming months. Surging energy prices, compounded by a jump in the rate of VAT for hospitality businesses, will drive sharp price rises, swelling the government’s interest bill. Further pressure on the public finance from higher debt servicing costs will bring “borrowing in the [...]
Close to 4m low-income households across UK are in arrears with household bills October 21, 2021 Nearly 4m British households on low incomes are estimated to be in arrears with household bills, according to new figures published this morning. Around 950,000 are thought to be in rent arrears, 1.4m are behind on council tax bills and 1.4m are behind on electricity and gas bills, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said. It looked [...]
Markets today: Public finances in focus ahead of next week’s budget October 21, 2021 Yesterday’s European market session was a fairly subdued affair, even if it was a positive one, with the FTSE100 trading in one of its narrowest ranges this year. By and large many companies have been reporting decent numbers and have been able to pass on the increase in costs, to their customers, without a significant [...]
Inflation ‘pauses for breath’ in September before racing ahead soon October 20, 2021 Inflation “paused for breath” in September before it races ahead at a fiery pace in the coming months. Prices were 3.1 per cent higher than they were a year ago last month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rate of inflation edged back slightly from August’s 3.2 per cent clip and was [...]
Brits brace for £23 per week jump in cost of essentials as two-thirds fear inflation October 20, 2021 UK households expect to cost of essentials such as food, non-alcoholic drinks, electricity, gas and motor fuel to rise as much as £23 per week by the end of the year according to new research shared with City A.M. this morning. More than 4 in 5 (84 per cent) UK households expect the cost of essentials [...]
Inflation shows unexpected drop in September October 20, 2021 Inflation slowed unexpectedly in September as the Bank of England is set to tackle the acceleration by hiking interest rates. Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose 3.1 per cent in the year to September, down from 3.2 per cent to August, official data showed. Increased prices for transport were the largest contributor to price rises, at [...]
Hospitality facing ‘terrifying’ rates of inflation October 19, 2021 The price of a meal out could rocket this autumn as hospitality chiefs have warned of a cocktail of cost pressures on businesses. Speaking to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee on Tuesday, Food and Drink Federation boss Ian Wright urged MPs to “think seriously about inflation in hospitality.” Price inflation for hospitality’s operational [...]
Treasury says UK’s ‘net-zero strategy’ will mean future tax rises to cover £37bn Budget blackhole October 19, 2021 The government’s newly released plan to get the UK to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 would blow a £37bn blackhole in the Budget that would need to be filled by tax rises, according to the Treasury. Treasury analysis of the Net-Zero Strategy said the plans would mean “the loss of significant amounts of tax revenue [...]