18 Apr, 2007
The economic news of late has been dominated by the UK pensions
industry and the number of schemes which have closed down, the Chancellor’s “cash and grab†and promises of financial support for those effected.
Even though the UK government were recently victorious in a landmark European Court ruling, which stated the government could not be held responsible for pension schemes failures, the UK pensions regulatory system was lambasted.
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17 Apr, 2007
In a move last seen back in 1992, the sterling / dollar exchange rate has pushed through the key $2 barrier. While the move has been welcomed by the many UK visitors to the US, it has further squeezed UK business and made exports to the US less competitive.
So what does the future hold?
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16 Apr, 2007
There is no doubt that over the last couple of years energy wholesale prices have been very volatile - although they only seem to hit the news when prices rise. While the energy companies argue that they are reducing prices in line with fluctuating wholesale prices, a report today indicates that each and every household in the UK is over paying by on average £200 a year.
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15 Apr, 2007
In a move which has angered many consumers and caused widespread
disbelief, HSBC have announced plans to create the country’s first walk in branch for “wealthly†customers.
The move is being piloted in the upwardly mobile area of Canford Cliffs,
near Poole in Dorset which boasts some of the most expensive properties in the UK. What is the basis of this new service?
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14 Apr, 2007
As we recently reported, barrister Tom Brennan is taking NatWest to court for repayment of “illegal†charges which he claims the bank have taken form him, and substantial damages. Even though the case was pencilled in for the City of London County Court on Friday 13 April, it was adjourned at the last minute with the judge citing the need for more time to hear the case. Stalling tactics by NatWest?
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13 Apr, 2007
In what is seen by many as another nail in the coffin of the cheque book, ASDA superstores will not be accepting personal cheques from Monday 16th April. While the move has not been widely publicised, it was expected by many after the company announced a trial of the no-cheques policy in a small number of stores earlier this year.
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