News
FeedBeggar rakes in £23,000 in donations
Tom Flack
Sep 3rd 2010
Filed under: Personal Finance, News
A man masquerading as a beggar has been fined just £100 despite hauling in up to £23,000 in donations from the public.Daniel Terry, 31, who has received 22 previous convictions, dressed up as a tramp despite living in a house and earning £80 a week in incapacity benefit.
Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 3rd 2010
It's a tale of bananas, bikes and the bonus paid to Rupert Murdoch (right) this morning as the wires start up. It's a pretty quiet start to what's expected to be a slow day on the markets. Senior figures are also floating ideas about the effects of financial regulation, and what the effects of existing rules will be.Zara enters online fashion fray - at last
Adrian Holliday
Sep 2nd 2010
Filed under: Economy, News , Retail
Online fashion got a boost today with the new web opening of Zara. This has to be a smart (though overdue) move for the Spanish retailer - high street consumer confidence remains low while on-line shopping continues to boom. Witness similar online moves by key rivals H&M, GAP and Banana Republic.Germany drives Q2 EU growth lift
Adrian Holliday
Sep 2nd 2010
Filed under: Economy, Markets, News , Manufacturing
Eurozone gross domestic product (GDP) lifted by 1% in the second quarter, according to EU stats agency Eurostat. Eurostat also lifted its estimate relative to the previous 2008 second quarter - meaning eurozone growth in the first quarter climbed from 0.2% to 0.3%. These growth figures mean the EU outperformed both the US and Japan.Four energy firms face mis-selling probe
Press Association
Sep 2nd 2010
Filed under: Personal Finance, News , Energy
Ofgem has launched an investigation into four energy companies amid concerns of mis-selling to consumers.The energy regulator said it was prepared to take "strong action" if it found that npower, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF Energy were failing to comply with new obligations to prevent mis-selling.
House prices fall for second month in a row
Christina Jordan
Sep 2nd 2010
Filed under: Financial Crisis, Mortgages, News , Property
With Nationwide now recording the second monthly fall in average property prices on the bounce, is a decline in the value of our homes now inevitable?Or is it too soon to call a double dip in the property market?
Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 2nd 2010
Strong US manufacturing data and the buzz of merger and acquisition rumour fuelled a market surge yesterday. Markets across the globe were up between 2 and 3%. Today's early announcements brought good news for retailer Dixons and better than-expected news for recruiter Hays.Ad regulations extended to websites
Press Association
Sep 1st 2010
Filed under: News , Media, Retail
Full advertising regulations are to be extended to retailers' own websites and online areas like Twitter and Facebook, it has been announced.The online extension has "the protection of children and consumers at its heart" and will come into effect in March next year, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said.
Aid sought over ill-health benefits
Press Association
Sep 1st 2010
Filed under: News
Citizens Advice has reported a steep increase in the number of people contacting it for help with sickness and disability benefits.The charity said enquiries about the employment and support allowance (ESA) had soared by 77% during the second quarter of the year, compared with the same period of 2009.
Mortgage lending crashes to new low
Press Association
Sep 1st 2010
Filed under: Financial Crisis, News , Property
Economists have warned the housing market is heading for a double dip as mortgage lending slumped.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 1st 2010
A sea of red spread across the boards at one stage yesterday as markets plunged worldwide before an afternoon recovery returned to positive territory. Better than expected data on US consumer confidence sparked the recovery. This morning has started quietly.Jobless rate to hit 10% in the North
Omotola Akerele
Aug 31st 2010
Filed under: Economy, Job Focus, News
Unemployment rates will hit 10% in certain parts of the UK by 2015, according to latest research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).Severe public spending cuts coupled with slow growth in the public sector is expected to increase the number of jobless brits in the North of England and in Wales.
UK lending continues to deteriorate
Adrian Holliday
Aug 31st 2010
Filed under: Debt, Economy, Mortgages, News , Banking
UK lending remains mired in trouble. Total net UK lending fell off a cliff in July, plummeting to just £86m compared to £518m in June, according to new Bank of England figures. The new credit data is amongst the worst ever recorded since records began in 1993.Consumer confidence soars in August
Adrian Holliday
Aug 31st 2010
Filed under: Debt, Economy, News , Retail
Consumer confidence is back - at least, until the next consumer confidence survey tells us that it isn't. But if you put your trust in surveys, the latest GfK NOP consumer confidence looks bullish: this index advanced four points in August, the biggest increase since February. Of course, you could argue some consumers were enjoying an end-of summer blow-out.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 31st 2010
The carnival could be well and truly over. After rising to post a second consecutive weekly gain before the long weekend, it's going to be a nervy start for the FTSE today. Trading yesterday in the US, where there was no holiday, saw the Dow plunge on renewed fears about that country's economy.
