UK Economics Chart Pack Strong growth but still no productivity rebound While the latest activity surveys suggest that the recovery might have gathered pace in the second quarter, a revival in productivity has remained elusive. Indeed, firms are hiring workers in record... 4th June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Margins remain under pressure While real household spending is continuing to pick up strongly, retailers have remained under pressure to offer generous discounts. Indeed, the retail sales deflator fell into negative territory in... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Recovery robust but housing market concerns build The last month’s data has provided further evidence that the UK economy is enjoying a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario of solid, but not excessive, growth and low inflation. The latest PMI surveys suggest that... 8th May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Rising real pay boosts consumer recovery The latest data indicate that the outlook for UK consumers remains bright. Inflationary pressures look set to continue to ease over the course of the year, which should mean that real pay picks up... 25th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Falling inflation enhances recovery prospects The last month has brought more good news on inflation. CPI inflation eased from 1.9% to 1.7% in February, the lowest rate since October 2009. Meanwhile, past falls in commodity and import prices... 3rd April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Consumers have a spring in their step The recovery in consumer spending has shown no signs of slowing this year, with indicators suggesting that both retail and consumer services spending have grown strongly. Admittedly, households have... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Real pay squeeze continuing to ease The squeeze on real earnings is continuing to ease, increasing the chances that 2014 is the first year that real pay rises since the financial crisis. Granted, the headline (three month average of the... 5th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Strong spending recovery still underway Consumer spending still looks set to grow strongly this year. Real incomes should be boosted by a gradual pick-up in pay growth, falling inflation and further increases in employment. And with the... 21st February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Outlook for 2014 still bright The economic recovery appears to have remained strong at the start of 2014. Although the composite CIPS/Markit activity index weakened again in January, it still points on the basis of past form to... 5th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack 2013 ends on a reasonably positive note 2013 ended with a mixed picture for the consumer sector, with surprisingly strong official data set against some softness in the surveys and in the anecdotal evidence from the high street. Nonetheless... 17th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Falling unemployment unlikely to prompt rate hike While unemployment is falling swiftly towards the 7% threshold above which the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has pledged to keep official interest rates on hold, it remains unlikely that rates will... 7th January 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Consumers continue to spend cautiously Data for the early part of December suggest that consumers are in a reasonably positive mood in the run-up to Christmas. And there is still the potential for retailers to enjoy a further pick-up in... 19th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Inflation easing despite stronger recovery CPI inflation fell sharply from 2.7% to 2.2% in October and it looks likely to fall below the 2% target soon. Past falls in global agricultural commodity prices suggest that food price inflation will... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Recovery continues, but no consumer boom Data for the early part of Q4 suggests that the consumer recovery may be stumbling slightly. But the picture should improve in the run-up to Christmas. October’s sharp drop in inflation, combined with... 14th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Recovery strengthens and broadens The economic recovery still seems to be gathering speed. The 0.8% quarterly rise in GDP in the third quarter was the strongest expansion seen since Q2 2010. And whereas a year or so ago, the recovery... 5th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Income squeeze not stopping people from spending The consumer recovery remains on track. Consumer confidence is still rising and the housing market will receive a fillip from the second stage of the Help to Buy Scheme. Admittedly, it will be a while... 18th October 2013 · 1 min read