Yes, money really does make you happier, but it’s wealth, not income, that really makes a difference September 4, 2015 Ever been told that money can’t buy happiness? Well, there’s now definitive proof the people who said that are just wrong. How much we earn strongly affects our happiness levels, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show. Looking at how money affects things like life satisfaction, happiness and anxiety levels, the report found [...]
Swiss inflation drops to its lowest level in half a century September 4, 2015 Inflation in Switzerland has sunk to its lowest level in over 50 years, according to official statistics published today. The consumer price index fell to 0.2 per cent in August from July. On an annual basis, the figure has declined 1.4 per cent. Read more: Swiss franc crisis: Swiss go nuts for central London property [...]
EU warns: SNP minimum booze price could distort competition September 4, 2015 Scotland’s first minister Sturgeon has said that she will “vigorously make the case” for a minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland, even though a top official at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said that the policy could restrict trade and distort competition. ECJ advocate general Yves Bot said yesterday that it was “difficult to [...]
Skills gap is bigger threat than Brexit: Talent shortages to hit UK economic growth, warn finance chiefs September 4, 2015 Top UK finance chiefs are more unnerved by their lack of access to talented labour than they are by the threat of Britain leaving the EU, the Bank of England hiking borrowing costs or even the abrupt slowdown in China that has sent shockwaves throughout global financial markets. Fear over dwindling access to skilled [...]
Euro plummets after Mario Draghi’s dove-bomb as ECB chief cuts inflation forecasts September 3, 2015 The euro lost over one per cent of its value yesterday after Brussels’ top central banker hinted that he could push the button on further monetary stimulus in a bid to boost the single currency area. European Central Bank (ECB) boss Mario Draghi gave an unexpectedly dovish statement, revealing that his organisation has cut forecasts for [...]
No more calculus: New real-life maths exam will teach students interest rates for A-Levels September 3, 2015 Maths geared toward real-life situations will now be as a subject for 16-year-olds, the department for education revealed yesterday. Core maths will teach pupils how to apply their maths skills to calculate interest, work out profit margins and get the best currency exchange, and will start being taught in schools today. The course [...]
Think the UK’s experiencing a migrant crisis? It’s nothing compared with Denmark, Austria and Sweden September 3, 2015 The UK may be in the grip of a migrant crisis – but the number of people applying to come to the UK pales in comparison to many other European countries, it turns out. The number of people seeking asylum in Europe peaked at 70,720 in February, data from Eurostat shows. Of those, 2,255 applied [...]
Euro falls against the pound as European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi cuts inflation forecasts September 3, 2015 The euro lost 0.6 per cent against the pound at lunchtime after comments from European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Draghi said Eurozone inflation would be lower and that recent market volatility presented downside risks. In comparison with the June 2015 Eurosystem staff macroeconomic projections, the outlook for HICP inflation has been revised down, largely [...]
Retail sales: Eurozone recovery looks set to last this time, but France lags behind September 3, 2015 The Eurozone looks set to finally break free from the doldrums of persistant stagnation with survey figures pointing to the strongest economic growth in the currency-bloc for four years. Markit’s composite purchasing managers’ index – which gauges business activity across all sectors of the economy – edged up to 54.3 in August, further in excess [...]
PMI: Survey points to slowest UK service sector growth for two years September 3, 2015 Growth in the UK’s service sector has slowed to its lowest rate in over two years, according to new survey data, sparking concerns over the health of the economy. Markit’s purchasing managers’ index fell to a 27-month low of 55.6 in August, nearer to the 50 level which indicates flat activity, according to figures released [...]
