London Underground’s getting a new source of power that will save the capital money as well as reducing carbon emissions January 8, 2015 The London Underground will soon be powered by a new energy source that will help London save money in addition to cutting pollution in the capital. The 100-year-old Greenwich Power Station will be revamped so it can generate low carbon energy to power the Tube network bringing what Boris Johnson called a “cathedral of power” [...]
Energy bills set to shrink as oil price plummets January 6, 2015 OIL PRICES continued to fall yesterday, after driving markets down on Monday. Brent crude stayed below $53, the lowest it has been since 2009 and fell to as low as $50.85 during the day. Meanwhile US benchmark WTI remained below what ETX Capital strategist Daniel Sugarman termed the “psychological barrier” of $50 a barrel. Consumers [...]
Retailers expect 2015 to be yet another year of falling prices January 6, 2015 Britain’s retailers expect shop prices to continue to fall throughout this year, having dipped during every month of 2014. Together with falling energy costs, lower prices in the UK’s shops would put more downward pressure on inflation. As a consequence, real wages are expected to rise further, and the Bank of England could be tempted [...]
Skills shortage and higher pay are hurting London companies January 6, 2015 London’s businesses want to grow to match the recovering economy, but are being held back by a lack of skilled workers, according to study out yesterday from the London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and ComRes. Growth will improve this year, according to 42 per cent of businesses in the capital. As a result, [...]
2015 resolutions: Ten pledges to put Britain back on a sustainable footing January 4, 2015 It's that time of the year when, having over-indulged over the holiday period, we promise to do better over the next 12 months. Our political leaders have over-indulged for a good deal longer than just a few days, and we can see the cost in the state of the public finances and falling standards [...]
What will happen to the world in 2015? Here are eight great changes that will take place this year January 2, 2015 The last 12 months have left behind a big pile of problems for the world to deal with in 2015. The militant group Islamic State has taken over large swathes of the Middle East and now poses a greater threat to the West than any power since the Soviet Union, while the deadly Ebola virus [...]
Russia, Tesco and Alex Salmond feature in the seven biggest losers of 2014 December 17, 2014 It’s Christmas. The time of year when we’re all supposed to be a little more caring, charitable and considerate of those not feeling so swell. But for every champagne toast to success, there is regret at the bottom of a bottle. So summon some of that Christmas spirit for this sorry lot, the seven [...]
More QE and a possible crisis: What markets will do in 2015 December 16, 2014 UK stocks look likely to be dominated by political risk PREDICTING the year ahead in markets can be a fool’s game. Last December, fund managers’ 2014 look-aheads heralded the start of a year in which Japan’s shock and awe Abenomics tactics would finally end its disinflationary misery, while the Eurozone would begin to turn a [...]
UK inflation falls to lowest rate since 2002 thanks to plumetting oil prices December 16, 2014 UK inflation fell to its lowest rate since 2002 in November after petrol costs were cut due to plummeting oil prices. The rate of consumer price growth fell to one per cent last month, the lowest rate for 12 years and down from a 1.3 per cent rate in October. Any hopes investors [...]
US stock markets in 2015: Are there any pockets of value? December 9, 2014 Fund managers are finding opportunities in retail shares. According to IMF forecasts, US growth will accelerate to more than 3 per cent in 2015 (compared to just over 2 per cent this year), tearing past other G7 countries like Britain, which is expected to grow by around 2.7 per cent. The Dow Jones and S&P [...]