Steve Hoyles

Having reached highs of 11.1% in October 2022, UK inflation has fallen to 2.3%, according to the Office for National Statistics. We’re finally getting closer to the Bank of England’s target of 2%. Approaching Pre-Pandemic Levels Again The fall in inflation means we’re back to the lowest level since 2021, when the country emerged from … Read more

The latest Sunday Times Rich List shows that Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, have leapfrogged the King in wealth.  Sunaks’ Now £122M Better Off According to the 2024 Rich List, their combined wealth was up £122m last year. This year’s figures show they are worth £651m, up from £529m in 2023. Where Do … Read more

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

Proposals to ban MPs charged with violent or sexual offences from the Parliamentary Estate passed by a single vote. It now means MPs charged with such offences are not allowed into any property used by parliament.  Vote Was Incredibly Tight A vote held on Monday to toughen the proposal made by the government passed by … 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

Britain’s biggest mortgage lender, Halifax, reported that house prices fell – 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 now costs … Read more

New figures have emerged showing that Britain has taken back 50 migrants from Ireland. The returns came only a few months before Rishi Sunak announced he was “not interested” in taking back anyone who had fled to the Republic of Ireland.  Rwanda Threat Causing Irish Immigration to Spike Ireland claims around 90% of their asylum … Read more

In a clear sign of panic, former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has urged Rishi Sunak to cosy up to Reform, going as far as offering Nigel Farage a ministerial role in a potential future government.  Alarm Bells Ringing at Tory HQ Having seen their popularity slide, culminating with disastrous results at recent local elections, the … Read more

Following years of price hikes, sewage spills, missed performance targets and financial irregularities, Labour MP Clive Lewis wants to see water companies brought back under public ownership. Privatisation Has “Failed” Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, has said the water industry should be brought back under public ownership following its serial failures since … Read more