Category archives: News in Review

“In a world shaped by policy uncertainty and trade tensions, developing economies will need bold and far-reaching policies”  The global economy is projected to expand by just 2.7% in 2025 and 2026, according to a report released last week by the World Bank, with developing countries set to bear the brunt of geopolitical and economic […]

“The underlying pace of housing market activity is likely to continue to strengthen gradually as affordability constraints ease”  House prices increased by 4.7% over the year to December 2024, to finish only slightly below an all-time high, according to new data released last week by Nationwide Building Society. Having accelerated by 0.7% month-on-month, the average […]

“Housing affordability has improved over the past year, thanks to stabilising property prices, strong wage growth, and easing interest rates”  Buying a home is becoming more affordable relative to income, according to the latest Halifax           Affordability Review released last Thursday, as the house price to income ratio continues to fall.  Strong wage growth combined with […]

“We know that families across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living”  UK inflation was 2.3% in October, according to figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the first rise in the UK’s consumer prices index (CPI) for three months.  As well as faring worse than economists had expected, […]

“Harnessing the power of this multi-billion-pound industry is a win-win, benefiting future pensioners, and our wider economy”  Last Thursday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her first Mansion House speech to outline her new plan for pension funds, intended to shake up UK pension saving and unlock £80bn of investment.  Ahead of the speech, the Chancellor revealed […]

“This is a magnificent victory for the American people” Last week, after intense months of campaigning, Donald Trump made a triumphant comeback to be voted 47th President of the United States. The Republicans secured a decisive victory, winning crucial swing states, also regaining control of the US Senate. Trump’s victory was surprisingly conclusive after opinion […]

“The only way to drive economic growth is to invest, invest, invest”  Rachel Reeves delivered the first Labour Budget in 14 years on 30 October, during which she announced £40bn of tax rises. She outlined a series of new tax and spending measures, some of which had been widely trailed prior to Budget day, saying, […]

“Geopolitical concerns are very serious”  Last Thursday, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey spoke in an interview about the pace at which interest rates are being cut. With two more Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings this year, the Governor said the Bank could afford to be “a bit more aggressive” with its rate reduction […]

‘The global economy is starting to turn the corner’  Last week the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its latest forecast, which outlines global growth prospects of 3.2% both this year and next. In its interim economic outlook, the well renowned think tank concluded, ‘The global economy is turning the corner as growth […]