News

With company chiefs in attendance and an endorsement from Mark Carney, shadow chancellor sought to demonstrate economic competenceAt every turn in Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, there are signs of big business on manoeuvres. Exhibition stands for Google, Ineos and Specsavers; slick videos for Amazon and Uber, fringe events sponsored by Deliveroo and Goldman Sachs, while even the parliamentary lounge – a retreat for MPs from the throng of 16,000 delegates – was sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group.Labour was keen to demonstrate economic credibility by basking in the presence of company bosses. For business leaders, it was a chance to check out a potential government in waiting, with many commenting on the marked contrast with the Conservative conference in Manchester. Continue reading...

At every turn in Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, there are signs of big business on manoeuvres Exhibition stands for Google, Ineos and Specsavers; slick videos for Amazon and Uber, fringe events sponsored by Deliveroo and Goldman Sachs, while even the parliamentary lounge – a retrea

Inflation forecast to temporarily fall below 2% in May as policymakers’ vote on base rate splits three waysBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of England has dropped the broadest possible hint that the next move in interest rates will be downwards after forecasting inflation will fall below 2% within months, despite keeping borrowing costs unchanged for a fourth consecutive time.Threadneedle Street stressed that more evidence was required that inflation would stick at the target set by the government before the Bank could deliver a first cut to borrowing costs since the start of the pandemic. It warned that risks from fast-rising prices remained amid the cost of living crisis. Continue reading...

ONLY AVAILABLE IN PAID PLANS.

The chancellor has room for giveaways in this week’s budget, but business and consumer groups fear he will hold them back for the electionJeremy Hunt is under pressure to be generous when he delivers his first budget speech since he became chancellor last October.The public finances have improved dramatically from the chaotic days that followed Liz Truss’s mini-budget in September, which rocked international money markets and sent interest rates on government debt soaring. The cost of financing Britain’s debt has fallen in recent months and the cost of gas on wholesale markets has tumbled. Continue reading...

Jeremy Hunt is under pressure to be generous when he delivers his first budget speech since he became chancellor last October The public finances have improved dramatically from the chaotic days that followed Liz Truss’s mini-budget in September, which rocked international money markets and se

People who quit during pandemic may be offered ‘midlife MOT’ as way to address labour shortagePlans to coax middle-aged retirees back into work to boost the economy are being considered by the government, according to reports.Older people who have given up work could be offered what is being described as a “midlife MOT” to entice them back into employment, the Times has reported. Continue reading...

Plans to coax middle-aged retirees back into work to boost the economy are being considered by the government, according to reports Older people who have given up work could be offered what is being described as a “midlife MOT” to entice them back into employment, the Times has reported T

Julian Richer, a landlord himself, says markets have created only disaster and the nation must shift from its focus on ownershipBritain is a nation obsessed with home ownership. A fundamental necessity for all turned commodity to speculate on, it is featured on daytime TV as entertainment, the sure-fire profit-spinner open to anyone.The truth, as we all know, is that the prospect of home ownership is drifting increasingly out of reach for millions. Figures released last week show that as few as 7% of local authorities in England and Wales have homes that can be bought for less than five times workers’ earnings and are therefore deemed “affordable”. In 1997 the figure was 88%. Continue reading...

ONLY AVAILABLE IN PAID PLANS.