Faisal Islam
Pulling the snow over our eyes?
Can the economy’s slow growth really be blamed on the harsh winter weather? Economics Editor Faisal Islam looks behind the headlines?
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Bank of England keeps interest rates on hold
The Bank of England keeps interest rates on hold, with the Monetary Policy Committee voting to maintain the Bank’s base rate at 0.5 per cent for the 27th month in a row.
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VAT hike’s effect on inflation ‘temporary’, says Osborne
Chancellor tells Channel 4 News the VAT increase – identified by the Bank of England as a contributing factor to today’s CPI increase – was essential in dealing with the budget deficit.
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UK inflation jumps to 4.5 per cent in April
Inflation hit a two-and-a-half-year high last month, jumping to 4.5 per cent from 4 per cent in March. The rise is blamed on Easter travel costs, together with higher duty on alcohol and tobacco.
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The Bank of England cuts UK growth forecast
As the Bank of England cuts its growth forecast and warns of volatile inflation, one economist tells Channel 4 News the Bank’s latest figures may still be too optimistic.
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Interest rates stay on hold despite inflation pressures
The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold at 0.5 per cent. The decision to maintain record low rates was widely expected after a set of gloomy economic indicators.
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British GDP grows by 0.5 per cent
Britain’s economy has recovered by just 0.5 per cent at the start of 2011, undermined by a big drop in construction, and Labour has seized upon the results to criticise Chancellor George Osborne.
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Faisal Islam
Small businesses still suffering ongoing credit squeeze
Can the economy recover when small businesses still face rising finance costs? (If they can get credit at all) Economics Editor Faisal Islam reports.
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Faisal Islam
Inflation falls but consumers still feel financial pain
As inflation falls Channel 4 News’ Economics Editor Faisal Islam says it is far too soon to be celebrating.
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Inflation falls to 4 per cent in March
Economists tell Channel 4 News interest rates for home owners may stay on hold until the end of next year as inflation dropped unexpectedly last month to 4 per cent.
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Banking report: ringfence retail to protect taxpayer
A report in the wake of the financial crisis suggests banks ringfence their retail arms and puts pressure on Lloyds to sell more branches. But it’s no banking revolution, Faisal Islam says.
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Interest rates held at 0.5 per cent for 25th month
As Bank of England policymakers keep interest rates on hold again, a victim of the Northern Rock collapse tells Channel 4 News “I would be very frightened if I had a mortgage now”.
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Interest rate relief for homeowners but will it last?
As interest rates stay on hold for the 25th month in a row, Channel 4 News asks a mortgage expert whether homeowners should be preparing for a rise later this year.
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Where can you get the UK’s cheapest – and priciest – petrol?
As the Bank of England meets to set interest rates, one of its main headaches is soaring petrol prices. Channel 4 News maps where you can get the cheapest, and most expensive, petrol in the UK.
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Inflation rises to two-year high
As Chancellor George Osborne puts the final touches to his Budget, inflation rises to its highest level for 28 months. It’s another hit for the “misery index”, as Economics Editor Faisal Islam writes.
