Economic update: August 2014
This guide looks at key UK economic indicators and the economic prospects for the coming months. Following a period of faster than anticipated growth at… Read More »Economic update: August 2014
Economy
UK growth to reach seven-year high in 2014
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today upgraded its growth forecasts for the next two years – from 2.8% to 3.1% in 2014 and… Read More »UK growth to reach seven-year high in 2014
Inflation edges up to 1.8%
Annual inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 1.8% in April, from 1.6% in March, after consumers paid more to travel… Read More »Inflation edges up to 1.8%
Unemployment falls to 6.9%
The unemployment rate fell by 77,000 to 2.24 million between December 2013 and February 2014, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).… Read More »Unemployment falls to 6.9%
Lenders predict early end for Help to Buy
Almost half of mortgage lenders (46 per cent) think the mortgage guarantee part of the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme will be withdrawn ahead of… Read More »Lenders predict early end for Help to Buy
SMEs need consumer-level protection
Small and micro businesses need the same level of protection as consumers when buying utilities, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB… Read More »SMEs need consumer-level protection
Minimum wage rises to £6.50 an hour
The national minimum wage (NMW) for adults will rise by 19p an hour to £6.50 on 1 October 2014, the Business Secretary Vince Cable has… Read More »Minimum wage rises to £6.50 an hour
Online sales growth continues
Online retailers have reported their strongest January sales of non-food products since 2009, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Online sales of non-food products… Read More »Online sales growth continues
Skills shortage may curb growth
A growing shortage of skills “may constrain economic growth”, research from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has suggested. The UKCES 2013 Employer… Read More »Skills shortage may curb growth
Rules for simpler energy tariffs introduced
The energy regulator, Ofgem, has banned energy companies from using confusing and complex tariffs. The new rules came into effect on 2 January 2014 and… Read More »Rules for simpler energy tariffs introduced