News And Announcements
Omicron will dent but not upend oil recovery, IEA says
The Omicron variant will dent global oil requirements but not derail the recovery in demand, the International Energy Agency said.
IMF urges BoE to act early to combat inflation
The International Monetary Fund has urged the Bank of England to act early to curb inflation as BoE policymakers set to meet for the last time in 2021.
CMA fears Apple and Google duopoly impacts competition
Britain's Competition and Markets Authority, which launched a probe earlier in 2021 over concerns that Apple and Google-parent company Alphabet held too much control over operating systems, app stores and web browsers, said on Tuesday that it fears the groups' duopoly may be leading to less competition and meaningful choice for customers.
UK unemployment falls despite end of furlough
UK unemployment fell as businesses continued to hire staff despite the end of the furlough programme, official figures showed.
Delays for NHS Covid booster jabs as test supplies suspended
Britain’s National Health Service found itself under pressure once again as people rushed to get Covid booster jabs and the first death was reported from the Omicron variant of the virus, with reports of long queues at vaccination centres and online booking systems crashing.
UK house prices to return to 'normal' in 2022 - Rightmove
Britain’s hectic property market is expected to ease and return to more “normal” levels next year, but prices will still rise by 5%, according to data revealed by real estate platform Rightmove.
Ofgem launches bidding round for new subsea electricity cables
Ofgem invited bids to bring forward “billions of pounds of investment” in new electricity interconnectors on Monday, in a bid to boost energy security, hit the UK’s climate goals, and save money for energy consumers.
UK govt unveils biggest-ever renewable CfD round worth £285m a year
The biggest ever round of the UK government’s renewable energy support scheme opened to applications on Monday, with £285m available a year for building “the next generation” of green energy projects.
Record number of UK manufacturers raise prices in Q4
A record number of UK manufacturers have raised prices in the face of strong inflationary pressures during the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the Make UK/BDO manufacturing outlook survey.
US inflation hits 39-year high in November
US inflation surged to a 39-year high in November amid supply constraints, according to figures released on Friday by the Labor Department.
UK economy barely grows in October
The UK economy barely grew in October as the post-pandemic recovery stalled, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
'Plan B' threatens fragile pub, restaurant recovery - survey
Renewed restrictions to combat Covid-19 threaten the fragile recovery of Britain's pubs, bars and restaurants and thousands of jobs, according to a survey.
BoE still likely to lift rates at December meeting, says Deutsche Bank
The Bank of England is still likely to hike interest rates by 15 basis points to 0. 25% at its December meeting despite the rise in uncertainty around the Omicron variant, Deutsche Bank senior economist Sanjay Raja said on Thursday.
EU looks to strengthen rights for gig workers
The European Union has published a series of proposals intended to bolster employment rights for gig workers.
'Plan B' is 'hammer blow' to retail footfall - Springboard
The government's renewed Covid-19 restrictions are a "hammer blow" to retail footfall that will halve visits to London stores compared with pre-pandemic levels, retail consultant Springboard predicted.
Parcel customers to be treated 'more fairly' under Ofcom proposals
Senders and recipients of parcel deliveries are set to be treated “more fairly” by carriers under new protections proposed by the communications regulator Ofcom on Thursday, following an investigation into the sector.
UK house prices hold steady as demand outstrips supply
House prices held steady in November, industry research showed on Thursday, as the number of people putting their homes on the market continued to ease.
Pound sinks as UK plans Covid-19 restrictions
The pound dropped to its lowest level for more more than a year after the UK government was reported to be preparing fresh Covid-19 restrictions.
German investor sentiment deteriorates in December - ZEW
German investor sentiment deteriorated in December amid Covid restrictions and supply issues, according to a survey released on Tuesday by the ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim.
CMA gives Veolia and Suez five days to address competition concerns
The Competition and Markets Authority has given French waste management companies Veolia and Suez five days to address competition concerns about their £11m merger or it will be subject to a phase two investigation.