Rising Inflation Highlights Need for Careful Money Management
The UK inflation rate rose for the first time in ten months during April, pushed up by higher fares for travel and the cost of fuel. The Consumer Price Index rose to 1.8% in April according to the Office for National Statistics – up from 1.6% the previous month. According to the ONS, the timing […]
BoE Boss Warns of Intervention to Control House Prices
Bank of England governor Mark Carney has suggested the Bank could act to curb mortgage lending in order to allay fears that the housing market could threaten economic recovery. Such a move would mean that people are unable to take out mortgages that are worth many times their salary when they want to purchase new […]
Wave of Positivity Surrounds UK Economy
Business confidence in the UK has reached new heights, as revised growth figures from the European Commission show signs of continued positivity. The spring forecast saw the Commission raise its growth figure to 2.7% for 2014 (up from 2.5% in its previous forecast), while the forecast for 2015 also improved. Growth is set to become […]
UK Economy Grows 0.8% in First Quarter
The UK economy experienced growth of 0.8% in the first quarter of 2014, according to the latest official figures. The Office for National Statistics revealed the rise in gross domestic product for a fifth consecutive quarter, meaning the economy is now just 0.6% smaller than at its 2008 peak. GDP is a measure of a […]
Food Price Inflation Hits Record Low
Food price inflation in the UK is at its lowest ever recorded level, while overall price deflation occurred for an eleventh consecutive month in March. The food market was the one that stood out though – as food inflation slowed to 0.8% in February, lower than at any other point in the past. It represents […]
UK Inflation Falls to Four Year Low
Inflation in the UK fell to 1.7% in February according to the Consumer Prices Index, easing pressure on living standards and dropping below the Bank of England’s target. It marks the second consecutive month that a drop has occurred, with the figure at 1.9% in January, and a fall in petrol prices has been identified […]
Revamped ISA System to Help UK Savers
Chancellor George Osborne announced several major changes to the ISA system in his Budget speech for 2014, paving the way for millions of British savers to benefit. The New Individual Savings Accounts (NISAs) will allow more people to save without the need to pay tax – as up to £15,000 can now be placed into […]
Where is the Credit Card Rejection Capital of the UK?
As the country recovers from the financial crisis, more and more people are considering credit as an option. Unfortunately though, a whopping 61% of those applying for cards in the last year were turned down, according to a study by TotallyMoney. That represents an increase of 2% on the previous year, although there is considerable […]
Crowdfunding Platform Indiegogo eyes $40m Global Expansion
The crowdfunding platform that has built a reputation for financing film and technological startups is aiming to expand after raising $40m in funding. Indiegogo, whose most recent exploits include financing the Jamaican bobsleigh team to reach the Sochi Winter Olympics, raised the amount with three rounds of funding. It smashed the total of $15m raised […]
Employees opt for Income Protection Over Pay Rises
The latest research suggests it’s not all about money for many employees, as benefits such as income and health insurance appear prominently on their agendas. According to Group Risk Development (GRiD), more than two in five employees suggested they would forego a pay rise of between 1% and 3% for employer-sponsored protection. The trade body […]