Reeves: UK has had a ‘lost decade’ of economic growth under Conservatives January 20, 2022 The UK has had a “lost decade” of economic growth under the Conservatives and the country is heading for another decade of “anaemic growth”, Rachel Reeves has said. Labour’s shadow chancellor used a set-piece speech in Bury today to once again position Labour as an unapologetically pro-business party under Sir Keir Starmer and herself, saying [...]
Brits to shoulder worst cost of living squeeze since 1991 January 20, 2022 Brits are set to shoulder the worst cost of living squeeze since the early 1990s, ignited by swelling energy bills and food prices compounding to spike household budgets. This week’s higher than expected inflation reading bounced one the world’s top investment bank’s cost of living forecasts. Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs lifted its expectations for [...]
Exclusive: ‘Keep a cool head in hairy markets but avoid being an ostrich’, says City grandee and fund chief Andrew Bell January 20, 2022 Witan Investment Trust is a well-know name in the City’s investment space. It can trace its history back to 1909 when it was set up to manage the investment affairs of Sir Alexander Henderson, who later became the first Lord Faringdon. Today it holds over £2.2bn on behalf of more than 28,000 shareholders, using a [...]
Four day working week better for your health? Long hours and putting in overtime do not hurt, on the contrary January 20, 2022 Putting in overtime often comes at a cost of stress, burnout and depression. But extra work doesn’t always negatively affect your wellbeing. In fact, according to recent research from ESCP Business School, it could be the opposite. According to the study, shared with Morning Wire this morning, the crucial difference lies in the motivation behind [...]
Brits face their first commute this year as work-from-home guidance ends today January 20, 2022 Londoners and other commuters across the UK are set to travel in to work for the first time since Plan B measures to curb the spread of Omicron were axed yesterday. The Prime Minister told MPs in the Commons that work-from-home guidance would be dropped immediately and rules on face coverings in classrooms would also [...]
Rising costs seep into every sector of UK economy January 20, 2022 Every sector of the British economy is suffering from swelling costs in a sign that inflation will trend much higher in the coming months, reveals a fresh study published today. Higher wages, compounded by soaring energy and raw material costs, are severely eroding firms margins, according to research carried out by high street lender Lloyds. [...]
City’s top economists toast end of plan B Covid-19 curbs January 19, 2022 The City’s top economists today toasted the government’s decision to scrap plan B Covid-19 curbs, hailing the move as a sign that Britain’s economy is getting back to being fully operational. Hope was ignited among experts that the influence Covid-19 and accompanying restrictions on daily life has exerted on the health of the British economy [...]
London markets shrug off near 30-year high inflation print January 19, 2022 London markets shrugged off an alarming near 30-year high inflation print yesterday, held higher by mining stocks surging. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed up 0.35 per cent at 7,589.66 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, added 0.01 per cent to reach [...]
Bank of England target never been further out of reach as inflation accelerates to 30-year high January 19, 2022 The Bank of England has never been further away from its legal inflation target, revealed official figures released today. Spiralling inflation has heaped further criticism on the Bank’s decision to keep rates at record lows while UK inflation was taking off after the country emerged from the most onerous Covid-19 restrictions. The cost of living [...]
Most UK workers embrace four-day working week with many saying less time in office would boost productivity January 19, 2022 Over half of British workers feel a four-day work week would increase their productivity, according to new data shared with Morning Wire today. In fact, 57 per cent of UK employees would like to have more space in their working week by reducing their hours to four days, the research commissioned by Airtasker found. However, one in three UK workers would consider supplementing their salary [...]