Global trade tensions send Eurozone PMI to two-year low October 24, 2018 The Eurozone economy grew at the slowest rate for more than two years in October as uncertainty over global trade relations deepened an export-led slump. The purchasing managers index for the eurozone fell to 52.7 this month, down from 54.1 in September, hitting a 25-month low. Read more: EU seeks to cool down Italy tensions as [...]
A ray of light in these dark days: Living standards have risen far more than we think October 24, 2018 The media seems full of gloom at the moment. Chaos over Brexit, Saudi Arabia, potential nuclear escalation between the US and Russia – you name it, people are worried about it. A ray of light is shone – an apt phrase as you will see – by the work of Bill Nordhaus, a Yale economist [...]
This Budget, I’m dreaming of a tax system fit for the future October 24, 2018 The announcement that the Autumn Budget would take place in October – almost a month earlier than we’ve become accustomed to – surprised a fair few people. It probably shouldn’t have. Philip Hammond understandably wants his finance bill passed safely through the Commons without it getting caught in the crosshairs of ongoing Brexit negotiations and the [...]
With one person escaping extreme poverty every second, young people must be shown the arguments in favour of capitalism October 23, 2018 The World Bank released some seemingly depressing news last week: nearly half the global population live on less than $5.50 a day. That means that, for all the economic growth we have enjoyed in recent decades, 3.4bn people continue to struggle to meet basic needs. Also last week, you may have caught an old Teen [...]
FTSE 100 falls to seven-month low amid Europe-wide sell-off of stocks October 23, 2018 The FTSE 100 fell to a seven-month low this morning as a Europe-wide sell-off of stocks saw shares drop 1.1 per cent. The index opened below the 7,000 mark today as investors were rattled by world events including Italy’s expansionary budget, Brexit, Saudi oil prices and a poor run of third quarter results this morning. It [...]
Manufacturing orders fall at fastest pace in three years as Brexit uncertainty bites October 23, 2018 British manufacturing orders fell at the fastest pace since 2015 in the third quarter as uncertainty over a Brexit deal continued, according to the latest statistics from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The organisation said the “sobering” set of figures required “immediate action at home and abroad” as it revealed that a net 6 [...]
The power of choice: Why May must back flexible right to buy October 23, 2018 He may not be well-known now, but former MP Noel Skelton probably had one of the most profound impacts on the guiding philosophy of the Conservative party. His series of pamphlets in the aftermath of the First World War explained clearly how the expansion of education and political rights, without the same expansion of economic [...]
British household savings declined in October October 22, 2018 British household savings declined this month as salary growth slowed to the weakest rate in eight months, according to a survey of household finances. The IHS Markit Household Finance Index declined to 45.1 in October from 45.7 the previous month, signalling increased pessimism by UK households towards their financial situations. Read more: Goldman Sachs enters British savings [...]
Italy claims its budget plans won’t hurt the EU’s financial wellbeing October 22, 2018 Italy’s expansionary budget will not risk the EU’s financial health, the country claimed today as it seeks to counter Brussels’ criticism of its latest spending plans. Economy minister Giovanni Tria wrote to the European Commission to say that the public spending outlined in Italy’s budget are crucial in order to kick start economic growth in [...]
Travel group Intosol floats in London amid efforts to raise funds for South African expansion October 22, 2018 German-based luxury holiday travel company Intosol is floating on the London Stock Exchange today, as it looks for capital to expand its South African boutique hotel business. Intosol, a high-end travel firm headquartered in Hannover, is listing on London’s main market to fund the acquisition of several hotel sites in South Africa, including a commercial [...]