Steve Hoyles

Following almost 20 rounds of talks, and lots of diplomatic pushing and pulling, there’s growing optimism that a UK/EU Gibraltar deal can be struck this summer.  Much of the Deal is Done According to both parties, much of the deal is already done. The broad terms of what an agreement will look like has been … Read more

In an attempt to ease any worries regarding Labour’s attitude to nuclear arms, Keir Starmer will reassure voters and industry about the future of the industry. It’ll be reassuring to many, given his predecessor’s attitude to nuclear weapons.   Geopolitical Landscape Has Changed Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically. Where … Read more

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show an alarming fall in the UK birth rate. The latest complete set of data (for 2022) show the lowest fertility rate since 1939. Why Fertility Rate Matters According to the ONS, the total fertility rate (TFR) decreased to 1.49 children per woman in 2022. In … Read more

Britain’s biggest mortgage lender, Halifax, reported that house prices fell in March – the first fall in six months for the UK housing market.  Higher Borrowing Costs Cooling Market The lender said that higher mortgage rates stunted buying ability and appetite, leading to a 1% (£2,900) drop in average purchase price. The average UK property … Read more

The farming industry has warned persistent wet weather has dramatically impacted domestic food production. This will see us rely on imported food to satisfy demand, driving up prices. Problematic Weather for Farmers The warning about food production comes shortly after the Met Office announced that February was the fourth wettest on record. The poor sowing … Read more

In a revolutionary step, World Athletics has announced that it will award a cash prize of $50,000 to Olympic gold medal winners in its events. It’s the first governing body to issue financial rewards for Olympic prizes in history. Intention to Reward Success Announced In a press release on their website, World Athletics said: “World … Read more

A survey from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has shown that over 7 million UK adults are struggling to manage household finances.  Increased Cost of Living to Blame The data in the report shows that the increased cost of living is to blame for financial stress, with mortgages, rents, utilities and food prices all increasing … Read more

With an international football tournament, the Olympics, major music events and the chance of warm weather, analysts hope the UK economy enjoys a summer heatwave. Economy Has Turned a Corner After officially entering recession, there are hopes that the UK economy is going to claw its way back to growth soon. Year-on-year retail sales increased … Read more

In a UK first move, Manchester has raised £2.8m by introducing a tourist tax. The money will be spent on marketing and maintenance of the city.  How Much is the Tourist Tax? The tax is better known as the ‘City Visitor Charge’, and it’s a £1 per room, per night fee. It was first introduced … Read more

There have been 18 rounds of talks over how Gibraltar sits within the UK/EU relationship, with no clear resolution. These comments aren’t set to help get a deal over the line any time soon. Comments Made After Further Rounds of Talks The exclamation was made by Margaritis Schinas after he was asked about progression of … Read more