News Archive

14/4/2025

Choice of low deposit mortgages rises to 17-year high

Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals the number of deals at 90% and 95% loan-to-value rose to their highest levels since March 2008.  Month-on-month the overall average two- and five-year fixed mortgage rates fell, albeit by smaller margins than a month prior.  

14/4/2025

Is it time To Think about Growing Some Neeps and Spuds as food inflation grows

Recent data indicates that food prices in the UK are rising faster than overall inflation.   While overall inflation has fallen to 2.5% (CPI) in the 12 months to December 2024, food inflation has remained at 2.0% (CPIH).  

13/4/2025

In trade war with the US, China holds a lot more cards than Trump may think − in fact, it might have a winning hand

When Donald Trump pulled back on his plan to impose eye-watering tariffs on trading partners across the world, there was one key exception: China.   While the rest of the world would be given a 90-day reprieve on additional duties beyond the new 10% tariffs on all U.S.  

13/4/2025

US Trade Tariffs Highlight Chinese Expansion Globally - With British Steel the Least Of It

While Chinese involvement in British Steel is hitting the headlines wit the UK government recalling parliament to save the company from closure by the owners Jingye.   For many years Chinese companies have been expanding in many areas.  

13/4/2025

 
I Visited a Chinese Automated Factory - America Should Be Worried!

We go behind the scenes at China's cutting-edge EV production facility where AI-powered robots work 24/7 to build the next generation of electric vehicles.  .  

13/4/2025

Eyes Turning To Interest Rates As Tariff War Twists and Turns Making Upward Inflation Likely

With the tariff situation changing fast as he two major economic powers fight it out damaging inflation is gaining ground with prices rising in some goods.   Despite downward and welcome pressure on oil prices for transport many other areas will see prices rising as tariffs rises hit home.  

13/4/2025

 
All the world's money is made by tapping a computer keyboard. There's nothing more to it than that

People think money is real, mysterious and valuable.  They still think gold is involved in the process.  

13/4/2025

 
What happens if disease wipes out one or more of the world's staple crops?

As the recent egg crisis in the USA showed, world food supply chains are intensely vulnerable and prone to failure as they are dependent upon monocultures.   What will happen if they do fail?.  

13/4/2025

Government acts to save British steel production

Urgent action by the Government sees vote on emergency powers to save British steel production.   Parliament recalled to introduce emergency powers that will allow the Government to protect the Scunthorpe site Unique action to gives the best chance of safeguarding steelmaking, protecting jobs, national security and supply chains.  

12/4/2025

Police raid barbers and vape shops suspected of being fronts for crime gangs - its every part of UK

The UK government has been cracking down on illegal shops and businesses employing illegal immigrants.  Recent efforts include raids on cash-heavy businesses like barber shops, nail bars, car washes, and vape shops suspected of illegal activities.  

12/4/2025

 
China's rare earth exports grind to a halt as trade war controls bite and UK Steel fate decided on Saturday

Most of us have hardly any idea how rare earths affect the products we use.   So let's take a look.  

12/4/2025

 
£450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine's Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry.   The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany.  

12/4/2025

Small businesses in the USA are feeling the sting of tariffs in several interlocking ways

Tariffs imposed on imports act as an added tax on many of the raw materials and finished products small businesses depend on.  For instance, businesses in sectors such as automotive repair, electronics, or even specialty retail often rely on imported components.  

12/4/2025

 
Why won't Rachel Reeves could cut the interest paid by the government to the UK's commercial banks?

Rachel Reeves could cut the interest paid by the government to the UK's commercial banks by up to £20bn a year.  So why won't she, when she says she is so short of money that those with disabilities must suffer?..  

12/4/2025

Rent Controls In Scotland Ended on 31 March Allowing Landlords To Increase Rents Towards Market Levels

The temporary rent control measures in Scotland ended on March 31, 2025.  These measures, introduced during the cost-of-living crisis, included a cap on rent increases.  

12/4/2025

 
Germany Announces Substantial New Military Aid For Ukraine

On April 11, 2025, Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that significantly bolsters Kyiv's defensive capabilities.  In this latest contribution, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Ukraine will receive: Air Defense Systems: 4 IRIS-T systems to help counter aerial threats.  

12/4/2025

The Hidden costs in the Tariff War

Tariff wars are more than just a straightforward tax on imports—they create a cascade of hidden costs that can ripple through every level of an economy.   Here are some of the key areas where these costs emerge.  

12/4/2025

The Truth About Porton Down - Answering the myths and misconceptions

Porton Down carries out research to ensure that the UK's military and wider public benefit from the latest technical and scientific developments.  In the interests of national security much of this work is secret.  

12/4/2025

Hopes of a ‘Brexit benefit' from tariffs were short-lived. Here's what Trump’s pause means for the UK

The US has decided - again - to upend the global trading system.  With the latest raft of tariffs just beginning to kick in, and after a week in which markets worldwide fell precipitously, the Trump administration announced that it would be suspending high tariffs on nearly 60 countries for 90 days.  

12/4/2025

US tariffs will squeeze the UK economy. Could the government buy itself some breathing space?

"Iron-clad" and "non-negotiable" is how UK prime minister Keir Starmer recently described the country's fiscal rules.  The government has been coming under pressure to relax the rules and cut itself some financial slack.