Financial news

• La dolce vita slips away again as Italy tumbles back into recession

  02-02-2019 17:00
  Its populist leaders said they were on the cusp of an economic miracle to rival the 1960s, but debt and uncertainty intervenedSharing his predictions on the economy less than a month ago, Luigi Di Maio, the Italian deputy prime minister, believed the country was on the cusp of an economic miracle akin to the one enjoyed in the 1960s.“During that period we built highways, now we can build digital highways,” he enthused. His comments were met with derisive laughter. Continue reading...
  
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• The Tories have form when it comes to economic catastrophe

  02-02-2019 16:59
  Hard Brexit is only the latest example where the British economy has taken second place to pride and party loyaltyA no-deal Brexit is just another cataclysmic event among many in Britain’s recent history. That’s why there is a good chance it’s going to happen.The economy, unfortunately, has usually taken second place over the last 60 years to pride, party loyalty or – and this must be the most significant driving force – a trusting sense that no matter how bad thing
  
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• Why record job growth in America hides a troubling reality

  02-02-2019 12:00
  High employment rates gloss over a ‘much more complicated story’ of stagnant wages and vanishing mid-level jobsJanuary marked the 100th consecutive month of job creation in the United States – a record breaking streak of job creation that has left employers scrambling to find workers and dragged the long-term unemployed back into the market.Yet even now, 20m jobs later, there are some parts of the US economy that have yet to reflect the positive image projected by the continuou
  
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• Birmingham gets ready for 2022 Commonwealth Games

  02-02-2019 11:55
  Locals in host city have concerns any benefits will be short term, while others are optimistic the event will unite everyoneIn the summer of 2022, thousands of athletes, officials and fans from more than 70 nations and territories will descend on Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.Outside the Arthur Robertson pub in Perry Barr (the pub is named after an Olympic runner who was a member of the local athletics club, Birchfield Harriers), the regulars do not – at least for the moment &ndash
  
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• The business of being Alfie Deyes: ‘I’ll still be a YouTuber when I’m 40’

  02-02-2019 10:00
  He started posting YouTube videos when he was 15. Ten years and 11 million subscribers later, the vlogging superstar and his girlfriend Zoella are looking to diversifyWho is Alfie Deyes? “That’s a tricky one,” he – Deyes – says. Not because he doesn’t know who he is, but because I’ve told him I’m asking on behalf of my mum, who’s never heard of him: how would he explain his job to her? “I think I’ll just say: ‘I’m a 25
  
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• Saga scraps its credit card, leaving customers in the lurch

  02-02-2019 09:30
  Customer anger as over-50s insurance group says decision is not related to BrexitIs over-50s specialist Saga axing its popular platinum credit card because of Brexit? The card is run for Saga by a Dublin-based bank and is closing on 28 March, hours before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU.The Saga platinum credit card has long been a popular choice among people who travel abroad because it doesn’t charge currency conversion fees. Other benefits include up to 55 days of interest-free cash
  
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• New-build homes: why some owners are left feeling the cold

  02-02-2019 09:30
  We investigate shoddy building practices that mean higher-than-expected heating billsNewly built homes are more energy efficient than ever, the government said this week. But thousands of buyers are finding that their expensive new homes are cold and draughty with heating bills far higher than expected. The culprit? The finger of blame is pointing towards builders rushing to meet targets, lax standards and poor inspection, with badly installed dry lining at the heart of the issue.Dry lining beca
  
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• ‘As a 33-year-old I don’t think we have it worse than the previous generation’

  02-02-2019 08:45
  Jonathan Adcock, 33, on how he saved to buy a house – and how his finances have changed since he became a parentName: Jonathan Adcock
  Age: 33
  Occupation: Engineer
  Income: £35,000I feel I was born just in time. When I started university in 2005, tuition fees were £1,250 and I was exempt because my father had moved out when I was 16 and my mother was supporting us on her single salary. When my brother, who is three years younger than me, started university the criteria had change
  
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• Germany manufacturing PLUNGES into the RED as factory activity disappoints

  02-02-2019 08:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  GERMANY has been hit with another blow to its economy after the manufacturing sector plunged into contraction territory.
  
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• Energy bills: will these sites save you a flipping fortune?

  02-02-2019 08:30
  Sites such as Weflip, Flipper and Look After My Bills make big promises. We check them outOn the face of it, it’s an enticing proposition. Simply load up your personal details, and then sit back knowing that you are paying some of the lowest gas and electricity prices around.And the best bit? You will never have to search out the cheapest energy supplier again, because someone else will do it for you. Continue reading...
  
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• Oldies are pampered. We should offer a new deal to the young | Patrick Collinson

  02-02-2019 08:00
  Older people benefit from a raft of tax reliefs, while Generation Rent has been dealt a bad handAt the lovely Meyrick hotel in Galway, I had my first experience of a freebie solely because I had just tipped over 55 years old. The hotel pointed out I could now benefit from their “golden years” package, knocking quite a bit off the price. Meanwhile at my gym, I now qualify for a low-cost deal because I’m over 55. And in a few years’ time I get the big one: the TfL pass givi
  
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• Are gas stoves as good as woodburners?

  02-02-2019 08:00
  Woodburning stoves are seen as bad for the environment, so we’re looking at coal- or log-effect onesEvery week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday’s paper.Now that woodburning stoves are seen as the devil, we’ve been looking at “realistic” coal- or log-effect gas stoves but prices vary hugely and then there’s the installation cost. Are t
  
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