Expert views
Commentary submitted by Danni Hewson in their own words.
Back to profileJobless rate rises and vacancies slump to lowest level in five years – ONS
Anyone who has been hunting for a job over the past few months will be acutely aware of the challenge, especially younger workers looking for a first taste of employment. The number of vacancies has fallen back to the lowest level since the three months to April 2021, a time when many of the country’s workplaces were shuttered and schools were closed for the second time in a year.
Iran war hit to growth less than feared but inflation still to rise – IMF
Recent momentum could fizzle out as quickly as a can of pop left out in the sun
UK economy records strongest quarterly growth in a year
Whilst it’s evident the impact of higher prices driven by the Iran war will take time to weave its way into the UK’s economic fabric, it would be churlish not to highlight the surprising resilience of the country’s economy in the midst of geopolitical turmoil.
E.On to buy rival Ovo to create UK energy supply giant
Energy bills will be front and centre of regulators’ minds when they assess E.On’s proposed takeover of supplier Ovo.
Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% but hints at future hikes
There’s an awful lot of choppy water between now and the Bank of England’s next rate setting meeting in June, which will undoubtedly have been a factor in chief economist Huw Pill’s lone vote to raise interest rates today.
Shell strikes £12.1 billion deal to buy Canadian energy firm
Laying out huge sums of cash never goes down well with investors, even if it will help future-proof Shell’s oil and gas output for years to come.
UK retail sales rebound as motorists stock up on fuel
The jump in retail sales in March actually heralds bad news for the sector, as consumers rushed to fill up their vehicles amid rising petrol and diesel prices.
Warner Bros investors give thumbs up to £81.4bn Paramount takeover
Regulators might yet put a spanner in what has been a Herculean effort by Paramount to snaffle up the home of Harry Potter.
Annual Government borrowing drops unexpectedly to lowest in three years
This is a bit of a cup half full moment for the government.
UK inflation accelerates after Iran war drives sharp rise in fuel prices
Anyone who has filled up a vehicle over the past few weeks will have first-hand knowledge of how the Iran war is impacting prices in the UK.
Unemployment drops sharply as inactivity in jobs market rises
Unemployment fell back from its five-year high in the three months to February.
UK economic growth in February better than forecast before Iran war
February’s growth does highlight the resilience of the UK economy.