Manufacturing Industry Battered By Downturn

11/01/2009

By Claire West Last Week's Office for National Statistics manufacturing figures show that manufacturing output fell at its fastest rate since 1981. Policy Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce, Steve Hughes, said: [i]“The manufacturing industry is... read more

 

Sterling Fights Back

09/01/2009

By Claire West The European Central Bank is fully expected to follow the lead of the Bank of England and cut interest rates which should see further gains for Sterling against the Euro. Earlier this week, independent currency specialists HiFX said the pound is looking "chronically undervalued" in the current market. The London... read more

 

At A Time Of Turmoil We Need The 'Big Clunking Fist'

08/01/2009

By Claire West Unless we see banks start to lend again to [b]small-to-medium size businesses[/b] we are going to see more companies going bust and rising unemployment. Now I’m no economist but it’s obvious to me and just about whoever I speak to... read more

 

Rate Cut Welcome But Won't Restore Credit Flows Alone

07/01/2009

By Claire West Commenting on the decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to reduce interest rates by 0.5% to 1.5% today (Thursday), Ian McCafferty, CBI Chief Economic Adviser said: [i]“Today’s more modest interest rate cut reflects the... read more

 

Why Are We All Focusing On Interest Rate Cuts?

07/01/2009

By Claire West [i]“If we don’t act swiftly and boldly,”[/i] declared President-elect [b]Barack Obama[/b] in his latest weekly address, [i]“we could see a much deeper economic downturn that could lead to double-digit unemployment.”[/i] Writing in the New York Times,... read more