August 2008 Archive

Economic problems will only worsen, says Darling

"Long-lasting" economic downturn coming, says Alistair Darling

The current economic climate is "arguably the worst" in the last 60 years, chancellor Alistair Darling has said.

Final energy providers increase gas and electricity rates

Second wave of gas and electricity price hikes

ScottishPower and npower both increased gas and electricity prices today.

Neither Labour nor Tories trusted with economy

UK voters trust neither the Conservatives nor Labour when it comes to running the economy.

Olympics boost consumer confidence

An impressive showing by Team GB at the Olympics may have helped lift the nation's mood

GfK NOP has put a slight improvement in its consumer confidence index for August down to the Olympic effect.

Pay deals widen in current climate

The spread of pay deals has widened in the last three months

Pay deals over the last three months have been widely spread out as high inflation and falling profits squeeze companies.

Millions believe job is at risk

Survey shows many are insecure about their job

Around 13 per cent of the workforce believes they could be out of a job in a year's time, a survey has found.

High street dashed by wet weather and poor sales

UK high streets suffer weather, credit crunch, high inflation, property slowdown and economic fears

UK high street gloom continued in August with disappointing summer sales and poor weather hitting stores.

Government aims to block energy windfall tax plans

The government is dismissing plans for a windfall tax on energy companies after recent profit gains from high gas prices.

Fall in working households

Fall in number of working households over this quarter

The last quarter saw a drop in the number of working households, particularly among single parent families, statistics show.

Make money from a hobby: Advice Webchat

Starting a business is hard in any economic climate, but help is on hand to turn your big idea into big business.

Disposable incomes fall £2,500

UK households' disposable income fell £2,500 in the last year.

MPs back utilities windfall tax

Some MPs are backing a windfall tax on utility companies

A group of MPs is supporting calls for a windfall tax on utility companies as household bills continue to rise.

BoE Deputy: Financial woe will 'drag on'

Mr Bean warns financial turmoil wil run and run

Bank of England deputy governor Charles Bean has said that turmoil in the global financial markets is likely to "drag on for some considerable time".

UK awaits 5% inflation

Brits now expect inflation to rise over five per cent.

Politicians scratch heads over how to help

Cameron and Brown face taxation policy questions

Politicians from both Labour and the Conservatives are proposing very different ideas about how to help ordinary people get through the credit crunch this weekend.

UK economic growth stops

The economy hit a standstill in the second quarter of the year - standing unchanged.

Tories to plan energy discounts for low income families

The Conservative Party is launching plans for low income families, those unable to receive direct debit energy discounts, money off their gas and electricity bills.