What kind of person crosses the Nevada desert to investigate UFO conspiracies? October 2, 2019 Area 51 is a mysterious place. Located deep in the Nevada desert, it is home to highly classified US military operations. Rumours abound that it harbours secrets about extraterrestrial life. In June, a podcaster released an interview with someone who claims to have studied flying saucers in Area 51. The video spread like wildfire on [...]
Small business group warns over effects of wage hike October 1, 2019 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged caution on chancellor Sajid Javid’s plans to significantly increase the national minimum wage, saying many of its members would prefer ten years to implement the rise rather than five. Michael Mealing, employment policy chief at the FSB, also warned that for low-pay areas such as care and [...]
WTO blames tariff wars as it slashes global trade forecast October 1, 2019 The World Trade Organization (WTO) has slashed its forecast for global trade this year to below half its previous estimate, pointing the finger at the US-China tariff war and also blaming Brexit. In a report into global trade, WTO economists today warned that “further rounds of tariffs and retaliation” in the trade war “could produce [...]
US factories suffer worst month since 2009 – and Trump blames the Fed October 1, 2019 The US manufacturing sector contracted at its fastest rate in a decade in September, according to a closely-watched survey, as trade wars and a global slowdown took their toll on factories. Read more: US manufacturing sector suffers worst month in seven years in April The September purchasing managers’ index (PMI) from the Institute for Supply [...]
Eurozone inflation hits three-year low in September October 1, 2019 Inflation in the Eurozone dropped to a three-year low in September due to cheaper energy, official figures showed today, as the European Central Bank (ECB) continues to struggle to hit its price-rise target. Read more: Eurozone manufacturing sector suffers worst month in seven years Yet with energy excluded, inflation edged slightly higher, although it was [...]
Eurozone manufacturing sector suffers worst month in seven years October 1, 2019 The Eurozone’s manufacturing sector suffered its worst month in seven years in September, according to a closely-followed industry survey, as the malaise in the area’s economy shows no sign of relenting. Read more: Sterling sinks after ‘simply shocking’ manufacturing data Factory output decreased markedly in September, with IHS Markit’s Eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) [...]
Job losses mount as no-deal Brexit fears hit UK manufacturing output October 1, 2019 The UK manufacturing sector could be sliding into recession as output remained in the red and job losses piled up in September, according to a closely-followed industry measure. Factory activity hit 48.3 on IHS Markit’s UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) last month, data revealed today. Read more: ‘Grim’ reading: Eurozone manufacturing sector hits seven-year [...]
City minister John Glen warns against turning away from EU rules post-Brexit September 30, 2019 City minister John Glen has warned that the UK must think carefully about its regulation options post-Brexit, arguing that EU rules had been the “hallmark of our credibility”. The economic secretary to the Treasury struck a cautious tone while discussing regulation for financial services sector, saying that while it was important that the UK “maximised” [...]
Business groups urge caution over chancellor’s minimum wage rise plan September 30, 2019 British business groups have urged caution over chancellor Sajid Javid’s pledge to markedly increase the minimum wage while welcoming his confirmation that he will boost spending on infrastructure. Read more: Sajid Javid to increase national living wage to £10.50 In his speech to the Conservative conference in Manchester, Javid announced an increase of the minimum [...]
Sajid Javid promises to increase National Living Wage to £10.50 September 30, 2019 Chancellor Sajid Javid has vowed to hike the National Living Wage to £10.50 within the next five years. Speaking to a busy Tory Party Conference hall, Javid said he would also ensure 21-year-olds can qualify for the National Living Wage. Currently the threshold is set at 25 years old. Read more: Chancellor Sajid Javid sets [...]