News And Announcements
Car and home insurers to be banned from penalising loyal customers
Customers renewing their home or motor insurance from 1 January will be charged no more than new customers under rules being implemented by the Financial Conduct Authority in the new year.
UK Dec house prices soar, but 2022 could be slower - Nationwide
UK house prices recorded a bigger-than-expected rise in December and marked their strongest year since 2006, but there could be a cooling next year, mortgage lender Nationwide said on Thursday.
US pending home sales drop in November
US pending home sales unexpectedly fell in November, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.
Omicron variant less likely to land people in hospital - HSA
The UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday that early findings had shown that people with Omicron were 50% to 70% less likely to need hospital care compared with previous variants of the coronavirus.
US consumer prices rise at fastest pace in nearly 40 years
US consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in nearly 40 years in November amid surging inflation.
Sajid Javid confirms no further restrictions to be announced before Christmas
Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed on Thursday that there would be no further restrictions before Christmas and said there were no plans for any announcements on post-Christmas curbs this week.
UK car production falls to worst levels since 1984
UK car production fell 28. 7% in November to 75,756 units, according to the latest figures released on Thursday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
US existing home sales rise in November
Sales of US existing homes rose in November despite tight supply and rising prices, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.
UK economic growth slows in third quarter
The UK economy grew less than initially thought in the third quarter, even before the Omicron Covid variant hit, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics.
Sunak unveils £1bn support package for hospitality and leisure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £1bn funding package to help the hospitality and leisure sectors in England as they take a hit from a surge in Omicron cases.
PageGroup appoints Angela Seymour-Jackson as new chair
Recruiter PageGroup has appointed Angela Seymour-Jackson to succeed David Lowden as chair when he retires on 30 April 2022.
Retail sales growth slows sharply in December amid Omicron fears
UK retail sales growth slowed sharply in the year to December as concerns about the Omicron variant kept shoppers away from high streets, according to the latest survey from the Confederation of British Industry.
Growing wave of Omicron sees German consumer confidence tumble
Consumer confidence in Germany decreased noticeably in December, according to a closely-watched survey released on Friday, with both economic and income expectations falling significantly, along with the propensity to buy.
UK borrowing falls in November as pandemic spending eases
UK public borrowing fell in November as spending on the pandemic eased and the furlough scheme came to an end, but was still the second-highest figure for the month since records began in 1993.
Johnson calls emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss Omicron
British ministers have been summoned to an emergency meeting of the Cabinet on Monday afternoon as the government responds to the rising number of Omicron Covid variant cases.
Manufacturing activity remains strong but supply chain issues grow - CBI
UK manufacturing activity remained strong in December but stock adequacy hit another record low, according to a survey released on Monday by the Confederation of British Industry.
Omicron threat sees weekend shoppers abandon city centres
Concerns over the Omicron variant of Covid-19 saw shoppers increasingly abandoning retail destinations towards the end of last week, with retail analysis released on Monday showing a sharp drop in footfall in large city centres over the weekend.
PBOC cuts benchmark lending rate for first time in 20 months
China’s central bank cut its lending benchmark loan prime rate (LPR) on Monday for the first time in 20 months as it looks to underpin the slowing economy.
LFL sales on UK high street may have shifted online slightly due to Omicron
Britons splashed out at the start of December but the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, may have led some consumers to shift their spending online, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Further rate rises likely if inflation persists - BoE's Pill
The Bank of England’s chief economist has confirmed that further rate rises would be likely should inflation persist.