Category archives: News in Review

“Inflation may give us a slightly bumpy ride during the next couple of months” Last week, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK’s annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased by 4% in the year to December. An unexpected uptick from the 3.9% reading in November, […]

“The traditional retailers always tend to do well in the run up to Christmas and this year was no exception” There was good news for supermarkets last week, as new data from market research firm Kantar showed they experienced their busiest Christmas in four years. During the four-week period to Christmas Eve, Britons made 488 […]

“With inflation more than halved we are starting to remove inflationary pressures from the economy” Latest inflation data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reduced to 3.9% in the year to November 2023, down from 4.6% recorded in the previous month. Now at a two-year low, the […]

“This balanced proposal provides much-needed predictability and stability to EU car and battery makers at a time of fierce global competitive pressure” Last week the European Commission proposed a three year postponement on the imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) traded between the UK and the EU. Originally agreed as part of the Brexit […]

“A critical turning point” World leaders gathered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), last Thursday for the 28th United Nations climate change conference (COP28). At the invitation of UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, King Charles addressed heads of state, leaders of governments and delegates at the opening ceremony. The King called on […]

“We are beginning to win the battle against inflation” Some positive economic news was delivered last week in the form of better-than-expected inflation data for October. The latest official release from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that in the 12 months to October, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 4.6%, down from […]

“AI will bring new knowledge, new opportunities for economic growth… and the chance to solve problems we once thought beyond us” Ahead of this week’s first ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, Rishi Sunak delivered a speech last Thursday on the global responsibility required to address and build a shared understanding of […]

“The UK economy is holding up but remains in a precarious state” The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlighted a modest 0.2% expansion in August, following a sharp 0.6% reduction in July. The monthly growth was in line with expectations from a Reuters poll of economists. Contributors to the growth […]

“Our job is to get inflation down” At its meeting last week, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) narrowly voted to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%, ending a run of 14 consecutive increases. Five members voted to keep the rate at 5.25%, while the four dissenting voices all favoured another 0.25% increase to […]

“The broader picture looks more positive, with the economy growing across the services, production and construction sectors in the last three months” Latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate that the UK economy contracted by 0.5% in July. The reduction was higher than the 0.2% decline which had been forecast by […]