UK rises up World Bank ease of business ranking October 24, 2019 The UK is one of the top 10 countries for doing business in the world, according to a new World Bank study, thanks to the ease of starting a firm, protection of investments and insolvency resolutions. Read more: UK economy close to recession after stagnant services sector data In the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 [...]
Mario Draghi defends his record at final ECB meeting October 24, 2019 Mario Draghi defended his use of unconventional monetary policy today at his final rate-setting meeting as European Central Bank (ECB) president, where he left interest rates on hold at record-low levels. Read more: ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s ECB odyssey comes to an end The ECB’s key deposit interest rate will stay at minus 0.5 per cent. [...]
UK mortgage approvals slip to six-month low October 24, 2019 The number of new mortgages approved by UK banks fell to a six-month low in September, survey data has revealed, suggesting Britain’s property market is slowing as Brexit uncertainty continues. Read more: UK house prices suffer slowest October rise since 2008 Banking trade association UK Finance said banks gave the green light to 42,310 loans [...]
‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s ECB odyssey comes to an end October 24, 2019 European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi will today chair the final rate-setting meeting of his eight-year tenure. If not quite a poisoned chalice, his successor Christine Lagarde is certainly being left with an unappetising cocktail. Read more: Mario Draghi’s ECB reign ends with Eurozone ‘close to stagnation’ Growth in the bloc is slowing towards [...]
Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia: Three ways UK firms can prosper post-Brexit October 24, 2019 This is an important moment for business across the UK. Whatever the final outcome of the Brexit negotiations, as business leaders we have to keep our eyes on the big picture – which means thinking years and not days ahead. I believe the fundamentals of the UK are strong. The onus now is on business [...]
Mario Draghi’s ECB reign ends with Eurozone ‘close to stagnation’ October 24, 2019 The Eurozone economy stayed “close to stagnation” in October as European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi prepares to step down. Read more: Two highs and two lows of ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s reign at the ECB The recession in the euro area’s manufacturing sector continued with another steep decline in output. Meanwhile, the crucial services [...]
Two highs and two lows of ‘Super’ Mario Draghi’s reign at the ECB October 23, 2019 Mario Draghi will tomorrow chair his final monetary policy meeting as president of the European Central Bank (ECB), bringing to an end a dramatic eight years in the job. Read more: Euro plunges as ECB president Mario Draghi signals more stimulus The Eurozone crisis, a long-running argument with Germany, and the US-China trade war are [...]
Uncertainty to weigh on economy even after Brexit deal, warns Moody’s October 23, 2019 Uncertainty will continue to hold back the UK economy even if Britain passes Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, credit rating agency Moody’s has warned. Read more: Brexit latest: Brussels edges towards 31 January extension Yesterday’s vote by MPs to in principle approve the deal means “the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU with [...]
UK happiness index: Brits grew happier before March Brexit deadline October 23, 2019 Britons became happier over the course of the year to March, new figures have shown today, but those in Northern Ireland grew sadder and more anxious as the original Brexit deadline approached. Read more: UK unemployment fall pushes earnings growth to 11-year high On mainland Britain, people’s happiness increased – according to the Office for [...]
Until Scotland’s currency puzzle is solved, independence is economically delusional October 23, 2019 The possibility of Scottish independence is back on the political agenda once again. And one question – which currency would an independent Scotland use? – that was crucial in the 2014 referendum has still not been resolved. The informal use of the pound is a very risky option. To see why, the Scottish National Party [...]
