How private equity swallowed up the UK – and why it’s unsettling regulators September 30, 2024 Private equity has been buying more and more of the UK over the past decade, with thousands of listed or private businesses now snapped up by buyout funds and venture capital investors. Iconic British businesses like Morrisons, Pret A Manger and Asda have been swallowed up by private capital, with deals like the takeover of [...]
Markets doubt Bank of England’s cautious approach to interest rates September 30, 2024 The Bank of England held interest rates at five per cent last week, having cut rates for the first time since the pandemic back in August.
Adzuna: UK job-seekers face toughest market in three years September 30, 2024 Tony Wilson, director at the Institute for Employment Studies, said the figures would be a "bit disappointing" for those who had been looking for "greener shoots" in the labour market.
Mervyn King warns against government changing way it measures debt September 29, 2024 Mervyn King has warned Rachel Reeves against altering how the government defines its debt in the upcoming Budget, and called for the fiscal rules to be assessed by parliamentary term. Speaking in an interview on BBC Radio Four’s Broadcasting House, the former governor of the Bank of England said that the way the government polices [...]
Bank of England mulls ‘further steps’ to boost City’s global competitiveness September 26, 2024 The UK's banking regulator is mulling "further steps" to boost the City's international competitiveness as one of its top brass hailed a "broadly welcoming" response to its softening of bank capital rules.
Bank’s Megan Greene calls for ‘steady-as-she goes’ approach to cutting interest rates September 25, 2024 Megan Greene, one of the Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) more hawkish members, said a "gradual approach" to lowering borrowing costs was "appropriate" given the balance of risks facing the economy.
Bank of England’s Bailey doubts interest rates will fall back to near zero September 24, 2024 With inflationary pressures easing, rate-setters cut rates for the first time since the pandemic in August. However, they subsequently voted 8-1 to keep rates steady last week.
Has Labour overdone the doom and gloom? September 24, 2024 Many economists and City business groups have argued that this risks damaging growth. After all, why would households spend and businesses invest in a climate of fear?
UK economy: Growth continues but budget concerns ‘jangling nerves’ September 23, 2024 PMIs, which measure business activity in the private sector, are closely watched for clues about the economy’s performance.
Labour conference: Reeves challenged over consumer ‘fear and foreboding’ September 23, 2024 Rachel Reeves has been challenged over claims the government has “generated a fear and foreboding” among consumers – but insisted she was “optimistic” about the economy. Ahead of her keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool today, the Chancellor was challenged on Sky News over last week’s fall in consumer confidence to the [...]