News
News Archive
August 2008
In our news section, you can find online news articles relating to UK & world finance and economy. This is a free to use resource and if you can't find the information you're looking for, why not try the search option at the bottom of the page.Child trust fund generation turns 6 - 30/08/08
Monday September 1st sees the sixth birthday of the first children given child trust funds by the government
Monday September 1st sees the sixth birthday of the first children given child trust funds by the government
University town property boom - 30/08/08
University towns have experienced a property boom over the past five years, as student demand forces prices ever higher
University towns have experienced a property boom over the past five years, as student demand forces prices ever higher
More consumers fear losing jobs - 29/08/08
Britons are becoming more fearful that they will lose their jobs, a study has shown, leaving them unable to meet debt repayments and the soaring cost of living
Britons are becoming more fearful that they will lose their jobs, a study has shown, leaving them unable to meet debt repayments and the soaring cost of living
Final energy providers hike gas and electricity prices - 29/08/08
ScottishPower and npower both increased gas and electricity prices today
ScottishPower and npower both increased gas and electricity prices today
Land Registry figures head south - 29/08/08
The latest figures from the Land Registry reveal house price growth in the UK has fallen into the red for the first time
The latest figures from the Land Registry reveal house price growth in the UK has fallen into the red for the first time
Blanchflower calls for big interest rate cuts - 29/08/08
The UK economy needs interest rate cuts, a member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) said today
The UK economy needs interest rate cuts, a member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) said today
FTSE 100 holds position - 29/08/08
The FTSE managed to hold onto yesterday's US-provoked gains today standing up 0
The FTSE managed to hold onto yesterday's US-provoked gains today standing up 0
Bradford & Bingley profits nosedive - 29/08/08
Bradford & Bingley (B&B) has presented "disappointing" financial results for the first half of the year following a turbulent period for the bank
Bradford & Bingley (B&B) has presented "disappointing" financial results for the first half of the year following a turbulent period for the bank
Parents invest £3.3bn in children's sporting success - 29/08/08
Sport costs families £700 per annum as parents find themselves driving 400 miles a year transporting future Olympic gold medal winners
Sport costs families £700 per annum as parents find themselves driving 400 miles a year transporting future Olympic gold medal winners
Wi-Fi internet leaves users at fraud risk - 29/08/08
A sixth of home wireless internet users are leaving themselves open to ID fraudsters by not protecting their connection
A sixth of home wireless internet users are leaving themselves open to ID fraudsters by not protecting their connection
Nationwide: House prices down 10.5% - 28/08/08
The average property in the UK has lost more than a tenth of its value over the last year, according to the latest research from Nationwide
The average property in the UK has lost more than a tenth of its value over the last year, according to the latest research from Nationwide
High street gloom continues in wet August - 28/08/08
UK high street gloom continued in August with disappointing summer sales and poor weather hitting stores
UK high street gloom continued in August with disappointing summer sales and poor weather hitting stores
Diageo profits hold firm but challenges expected - 28/08/08
Guinness brewer Diageo today revealed its profits took a minor fall as it admitted entering a challenging period
Guinness brewer Diageo today revealed its profits took a minor fall as it admitted entering a challenging period
Crunch puts squeeze on credit card deals - 27/08/08
The credit crunch has made it harder for cash-strapped borrowers to juggle credit card debt, it has been revealed, with consumers now far less likely to secure a zero per cent balance transfer
The credit crunch has made it harder for cash-strapped borrowers to juggle credit card debt, it has been revealed, with consumers now far less likely to secure a zero per cent balance transfer
iPhone hit by misleading web claims - 27/08/08
Apple has been rapped by advertising watchdogs for claiming its new iPhone could surf the whole internet
Apple has been rapped by advertising watchdogs for claiming its new iPhone could surf the whole internet
Northern Rock loses deputy chairman - 27/08/08
Northern Rock today revealed its deputy chairman was leaving the company
Northern Rock today revealed its deputy chairman was leaving the company
Student credit card debts stand at £220 - 27/08/08
Research from Halifax shows just 37 per cent of students have credit cards and the average balance is just £220
Research from Halifax shows just 37 per cent of students have credit cards and the average balance is just £220
Bank data sold on eBay - 26/08/08
UK bank details of over a million people have been discovered on a computer sold on eBay
UK bank details of over a million people have been discovered on a computer sold on eBay
Disposable income falls to lowest level for over a decade - 26/08/08
Households' disposable incomes have fallen to their lowest levels since 1997, it has been discovered, as soaring bills and higher repayments on mortgage and credit card debt erode their spending power
Households' disposable incomes have fallen to their lowest levels since 1997, it has been discovered, as soaring bills and higher repayments on mortgage and credit card debt erode their spending power
Pocket money crunch bites UK children - 25/08/08
UK children are seeing a crunch on pocket money as parents tighten purse strings
UK children are seeing a crunch on pocket money as parents tighten purse strings
Desperate Brits 'damaging credit rating' - 22/08/08
Debt-hit Britons could be doing significant damage to their credit rating through being rejected for loans and mortgages, it has been claimed
Debt-hit Britons could be doing significant damage to their credit rating through being rejected for loans and mortgages, it has been claimed
Recession fears grow as UK economy comes to standstill - 22/08/08
The UK economy hit a standstill in the second quarter of the year, recording zero per cent growth, sparking fears of a recession
The UK economy hit a standstill in the second quarter of the year, recording zero per cent growth, sparking fears of a recession
Conservatives plan to offer energy discounts - 22/08/08
The Conservative party is launching plans for low-income families unable to receive direct debit energy discounts to receive money off their gas and electricity bills
The Conservative party is launching plans for low-income families unable to receive direct debit energy discounts to receive money off their gas and electricity bills
TUC calls for new bank holiday - 22/08/08
As many as one million businesses in England – nearly a fifth of the total - could benefit from a new bank holiday, according to the TUC
As many as one million businesses in England – nearly a fifth of the total - could benefit from a new bank holiday, according to the TUC
Consumers lack knowledge to cope with crunch - 21/08/08
Fears that the credit crunch could see more people fall into problem debt have been raised by a new study which has revealed a shocking lack of financial acumen on the part of UK consumers
Fears that the credit crunch could see more people fall into problem debt have been raised by a new study which has revealed a shocking lack of financial acumen on the part of UK consumers
Shares in US mortgage giants slump - 21/08/08
Shares in American mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have continued to slump, following rumours of a further government bailout
Shares in American mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have continued to slump, following rumours of a further government bailout
Profits up 8% at Coventry - 21/08/08
The Coventry Building Society has announced an eight per cent increase in profits during the first half of 2008
The Coventry Building Society has announced an eight per cent increase in profits during the first half of 2008
Pawnbroker profits rises as gold prices rise - 21/08/08
Pawnbroker H&T Group has reported a 39 per cent profit rises as Brits turn to traditional means of raising cash
Pawnbroker H&T Group has reported a 39 per cent profit rises as Brits turn to traditional means of raising cash
Students 'hit hard by soaring inflation' - 20/08/08
UK students are facing prices rises some 50 per cent higher than the rest of the population, it has been claimed, in a development that is set to fuel fears that more undergraduates could fall into unmanageable debt this year
UK students are facing prices rises some 50 per cent higher than the rest of the population, it has been claimed, in a development that is set to fuel fears that more undergraduates could fall into unmanageable debt this year
Bank of England still split on interest rate - 20/08/08
The Bank of England's interest rate setters were again stuck this month in a tripled-headed stand-off over the future of the cost of borrowing
For the second month running, seven members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to maintain the status quo of interest rates at five per cent, while one member (Tim Besley) voted for an increase of 0
The Bank of England's interest rate setters were again stuck this month in a tripled-headed stand-off over the future of the cost of borrowing
For the second month running, seven members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) voted to maintain the status quo of interest rates at five per cent, while one member (Tim Besley) voted for an increase of 0
Mortgage lending to fall sharply in 2008 - 20/08/08
Mortgage lending in the UK economy is predicted to fall dramatically in 2008 and continue to decline in 2009, as the credit crunch refuses to loosen its grip, according to new research
Mortgage lending in the UK economy is predicted to fall dramatically in 2008 and continue to decline in 2009, as the credit crunch refuses to loosen its grip, according to new research
Higher loan rates 'squeezing borrowers' - 19/08/08
Borrowers taking on new loan debt are facing higher and higher repayments, new research has shown
Borrowers taking on new loan debt are facing higher and higher repayments, new research has shown
Bank's Besley: We will fight inflation not cut interest rate - 19/08/08
Interest rate cuts remain unlikely as long as inflation remains high, a leading member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) today warned
Interest rate cuts remain unlikely as long as inflation remains high, a leading member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) today warned
Binge credit rate tarts look for trusted brands - 19/08/08
Rate tarts are ditching switching cards and accounts and looking for trusted financial brands in the current inclement economic interlude, according to new research
Rate tarts are ditching switching cards and accounts and looking for trusted financial brands in the current inclement economic interlude, according to new research
Brits carry on abroad thanks to savings - 19/08/08
Brits are using their savings to fund holidays, according to new research
Brits are using their savings to fund holidays, according to new research
FTSE 100 up and down - 18/08/08
The FTSE 100 saw a roller coaster day, with initial falls, mid-morning rallies and a fall for tea
The FTSE 100 saw a roller coaster day, with initial falls, mid-morning rallies and a fall for tea
Woolworths ditches Iceland offer - 18/08/08
Woolworths today rejected a bid for the company worth tens of millions of pounds
The retailer described the offer from a consortium headed by the Iceland boss Malcolm Walker for its 815 UK stores as "unacceptable" saying such a deal would involve a complex restructuring and undervalued the chain
Woolworths today rejected a bid for the company worth tens of millions of pounds
The retailer described the offer from a consortium headed by the Iceland boss Malcolm Walker for its 815 UK stores as "unacceptable" saying such a deal would involve a complex restructuring and undervalued the chain
Higher energy bills piling pressure on consumers - 15/08/08
Millions of debt-hit Britons are unable to afford to pay higher energy bills, a poll from uSwitch
Millions of debt-hit Britons are unable to afford to pay higher energy bills, a poll from uSwitch
Mining and oil lifts FTSE 100 - 14/08/08
Mining and oil stocks led a slight recovery for the FTSE 100 this morning, following yesterday's falls
Mining and oil stocks led a slight recovery for the FTSE 100 this morning, following yesterday's falls
Higher living costs add to students' debt burden - 13/08/08
Soaring rents and higher living costs are adding to the debt burden faced by UK students, a new study has shown
Soaring rents and higher living costs are adding to the debt burden faced by UK students, a new study has shown
CPI inflation up to 4.4% - 12/08/08
The consumer price index (CPI) – the government measure of inflation - has increased to 4
The consumer price index (CPI) – the government measure of inflation - has increased to 4
Credit card borrowers left high and dry by rate hikes - 12/08/08
Higher repayments on credit card debt have left millions of borrowers suffering a similar plight to homeowners, it has been claimed
Higher repayments on credit card debt have left millions of borrowers suffering a similar plight to homeowners, it has been claimed
Airline ticket prices set to climb - 12/08/08
A spike in the price of airline tickets will mean that foreign holidays are set to become increasingly unaffordable to millions of debt-hit Britons in months to come, it has been revealed
A spike in the price of airline tickets will mean that foreign holidays are set to become increasingly unaffordable to millions of debt-hit Britons in months to come, it has been revealed
FTSE 100 stays over 5,500 - 11/08/08
The FTSE 100 broke through and stayed above the 5,500 barrier today, closing up 0
The FTSE 100 broke through and stayed above the 5,500 barrier today, closing up 0
Repossessions hit 12-year high - 11/08/08
More and more Britons succumbed to unmanageable mortgage debt during the first half of this year, with repossessions hitting their highest level for 12 years
More and more Britons succumbed to unmanageable mortgage debt during the first half of this year, with repossessions hitting their highest level for 12 years
Factory gate inflation at 10% - 11/08/08
Factory gate inflation rose over ten per cent in July, while costs of goods entering factories rose by 30
Factory gate inflation rose over ten per cent in July, while costs of goods entering factories rose by 30
Water firms reveal price rises - 11/08/08
Water bills are set to rise above inflation in some areas in the next five years, squeezing household incomes
Water bills are set to rise above inflation in some areas in the next five years, squeezing household incomes
Economy 'will be uncomfortable' - 11/08/08
The CBI has warned members the downturn in the economy could be more severe than previously feared
The CBI has warned members the downturn in the economy could be more severe than previously feared
Teens start saving early to avoid uni debt - 09/08/08
Teenagers are starting to save early – in some cases at the age of 11 – to avoid student debt
Teenagers are starting to save early – in some cases at the age of 11 – to avoid student debt
Regulator urges banks to prepare for difficult climate - 09/08/08
Financial Services Authority (FSA) chief executive Hector Sants has urged consumers and the financial sector to prepare for difficult economic times
Financial Services Authority (FSA) chief executive Hector Sants has urged consumers and the financial sector to prepare for difficult economic times
FTSE 100 drops on Georgia war - 08/08/08
The FTSE 100 saw an oil stock collapse this afternoon as news of Russia tanks rolling into the Georgian province of South Ossetia hit the city
The FTSE 100 saw an oil stock collapse this afternoon as news of Russia tanks rolling into the Georgian province of South Ossetia hit the city
Citigroup forced into $20bn security buy-back - 08/08/08
Citigroup faces having to buy-back billions of dollars worth of securities following a deal with US regulators
Citigroup faces having to buy-back billions of dollars worth of securities following a deal with US regulators
Single mums turning to saving - 08/08/08
Single mums are more concerned about saving for their children's future than getting themselves out of debt, according to new research
Single mums are more concerned about saving for their children's future than getting themselves out of debt, according to new research
'Oil crunch' looms on horizon - 08/08/08
A new report has warned an 'oil crunch' looms on the global horizon, unless there is a dramatic reduction in demand
A new report has warned an 'oil crunch' looms on the global horizon, unless there is a dramatic reduction in demand
Halifax: House prices down 8.8% - 07/08/08
House prices in the UK have continued to fall, according to the latest House Price Index from the Halifax
House prices in the UK have continued to fall, according to the latest House Price Index from the Halifax
FTSE 100 stabilises - 07/08/08
The FTSE 100 maintained its position today flirting with the 5,500 mark
The FTSE 100 maintained its position today flirting with the 5,500 mark
Cash-strapped Brits forced to cut food spending - 07/08/08
Debt-hit Britons are being forced to slash their spending on food in the face of soaring supermarket prices, it has been discovered
Debt-hit Britons are being forced to slash their spending on food in the face of soaring supermarket prices, it has been discovered
BA executives charged with price fixing - 07/08/08
Three former British Airways executives and one current employee face the threat of jail after being charged with price fixing
Three former British Airways executives and one current employee face the threat of jail after being charged with price fixing
Interest rates held at five per cent - 07/08/08
Interest rates have been held at five per cent for the fourth consecutive month by the Bank of England
Interest rates have been held at five per cent for the fourth consecutive month by the Bank of England
Global insurance firms crunched - 07/08/08
Global insurance companies today announced losses and profits slumps as the credit crunch starts to bite the industry
Global insurance companies today announced losses and profits slumps as the credit crunch starts to bite the industry
FTSE 100 heads back over 5,500 - 07/08/08
The FTSE 100 broke the 5,500 barrier this morning – rising 0
The FTSE 100 broke the 5,500 barrier this morning – rising 0
Friends Provident profits down 20% - 07/08/08
Friends Provident today reported a 20 per cent drop in profits for the first half of the year
Friends Provident today reported a 20 per cent drop in profits for the first half of the year
Parents' pensions paying for children's university - 07/08/08
Parents are risking their financial security to ensure their offspring's education is completed
Parents are risking their financial security to ensure their offspring's education is completed
Mortgage arrears on the rise - 06/08/08
More and more homeowners are falling into arrears with their mortgage debt, new data from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has revealed
More and more homeowners are falling into arrears with their mortgage debt, new data from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has revealed
Standard Life profits up 51% after annuity deal - 06/08/08
A deal to reinsure annuity liabilities has pushed Standard Life profits up 51 per cent
A deal to reinsure annuity liabilities has pushed Standard Life profits up 51 per cent
Permanent job placements plummet - 06/08/08
Permanent job placements in the UK economy have fallen to the lowest level since the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York almost seven years ago
Permanent job placements in the UK economy have fallen to the lowest level since the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York almost seven years ago
Northern Rock loss hits £585m - 05/08/08
Nationalised bank Northern Rock today announced a loss of £585
Nationalised bank Northern Rock today announced a loss of £585
Northern Rock customers 'struggling with mortgage debt' - 05/08/08
The number of Northern Rock customers who have fallen behind with their mortgage debt repayments has increased dramatically over the last year, it has been revealed
The number of Northern Rock customers who have fallen behind with their mortgage debt repayments has increased dramatically over the last year, it has been revealed
New help for vulnerable workers 'in dark corners' - 05/08/08
Employers who abuse vulnerable workers are being targeted by a new government initiative
Employers who abuse vulnerable workers are being targeted by a new government initiative
Debt worries force students to take on jobs - 04/08/08
Increasing numbers of students are being forced to take on part-time work as they seek to limit their student debt and fund their studies, it has been revealed
Increasing numbers of students are being forced to take on part-time work as they seek to limit their student debt and fund their studies, it has been revealed
FTSE 100 closes down 0.5% - 04/08/08
The FTSE 100 lost this morning's one per cent gain to close Monday down 0
The FTSE 100 lost this morning's one per cent gain to close Monday down 0
Business confidence drops across UK - 04/08/08
Business confidence was down in all regions of the UK this month
Business confidence was down in all regions of the UK this month
FTSE 100 up 1% - 04/08/08
The FTSE 100 put aside initial morning losses to rise over one per cent this morning
The FTSE 100 put aside initial morning losses to rise over one per cent this morning
1 in 5 Rock mortgages face negative equity - 04/08/08
One in five Northern Rock mortgage customers could face negative equity in the coming year as house prices fall
One in five Northern Rock mortgage customers could face negative equity in the coming year as house prices fall
British Energy £12bn takeover hits rocks - 01/08/08
British Energy's proposed takeover from French-owned EDF is on the rocks, putting the government's energy policy in peril
British Energy's proposed takeover from French-owned EDF is on the rocks, putting the government's energy policy in peril
Banks offering consumers higher credit limits - 01/08/08
Banks are continuing to offer Britons further credit card debt, despite mounting signs that the UK's debt problem is spiralling
Banks are continuing to offer Britons further credit card debt, despite mounting signs that the UK's debt problem is spiralling
Poor families hit hardest by British Gas price hikes - 01/08/08
Price hikes from British Gas will impact most heavily on poor families, putting further pressure on debt-hit Britons, a charity has warned
Price hikes from British Gas will impact most heavily on poor families, putting further pressure on debt-hit Britons, a charity has warned
FTSE 100 drops 0.5% - 01/08/08
The FTSE 100 fell on opening after yesterday's stagnation putting the index down 0
The FTSE 100 fell on opening after yesterday's stagnation putting the index down 0
