News Archive

Unemployment On The Rise - Beware Of These Job Scam Warning Signs And Update Your CV

Over 156,000 jobs were lost in the UK compared to the previous three-month period, marking the largest drop since last August.  As firms continue to shed workers and unemployment figures climb to 4.2% - the highest since summer 2023 - job scammers are dangling their bait in hopes of cashing in on desperate job seekers.  

Federal Reserve Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged As Inflation Subbornly Keeps High

The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged at between 5.25% and 5.5% — the highest level in more than a decade — as annual inflation rates continued to stall.   In its statement announcing the hold, the central bank said that in recent months, there had been "a lack of further progress" toward its 2% percent inflation goal.  

Pay Packets Worth Less Than 2008 In Nearly Two-thirds Of UK Local Authorities - TUC Analysis Reveals

Pay packets are still worth less than in 2008 in nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK local authorities, according to new TUC analysis, published today (Monday 29 April 2024).   The analysis of official statistics shows that 16 years on from the global financial crisis, wages are set to be lower - in real terms - in 212 out of 340 UK local authorities in 2024.  

Another Brexit Hit - Some Imported Foods To Be Charged New Import Duties From Today 30 April 2024

The government has already revealed how much companies will have to pay to import foods from the EU due to Brexit.   Small imports of products such as fish, salami, sausage, cheese and yoghurt will be subject to fees of up to £145 from 30 April, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).  

UK Goods Exports To EU Tumbled £10.7bn In 2023. Brexit Turmoil Is Not Over Yet

The UK's official trade figures for Q4 2023 have been released, and they reveal the UK’s goods exports to the EU slumped from £196.7bn in 2022 to £186bn last year.  The international delivery expert ParcelHero says new post-Brexit charges and red tape are likely to further damage UK goods exports this year.  

Cash Injection For Millions As National Insurance Cut Hits Payslips From Today

Millions of workers checking payslips from today 30 April 2024 will see a tax cut As the economy turns a corner, the government is rewarding hard work, with over £900 a year boost for typical worker.   Marks another step in long-term ambition to end unfair double tax on work; There are 27 million employees in the UK, and tomorrow (Tuesday 30 April) millions of them on monthly salaries will wake up with a little more cash in their pockets, as the government's Spring Budget cut to National Insurance appears in April’s pay-packets.  

Mortgage Lending Highest Since February 2023

The Bank of England has released the latest mortgage lending statistics.   Individuals borrowed, on net, £0.3 billion of mortgage debt in March, compared to £1.6 billion in February.  

Tax Does Not Pay For Government Spending - Richard Murphy

Probably the biggest challenge to understanding how the economics of governments really works comes from the need to understand that governments of the sort we have in the UK are not funded by taxes.  They are funded by central bank money creation.  

Large Company Accounts Are Works Of Fiction - Richard Murphy

The accounts of large companies in the UK are complete works of fiction.  Now, I don't make that claim lightly.  

Unearthed From Greenpeace Exposes Tory Dirty Tricks Using Multiple Facebook Groups

Hi folks, Crispin here, one of the editors at Unearthed.   I'm writing to let you know about an investigation we've just published.