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Tag: Stephanie Flanders

The problem with surprises on inflation

The problem with surprises on inflation

Could it be that we are about to witness the beginnings of widening concerns over rising inflation? The Consumer Prices Index “surprise” jump to 3.7% yesterday will certainly increase rumblings in the markets and elsewhere. Although for the time being I suspect  attention will be more focused on June 22 and George Osborne’s first budget, which could after all produce some pretty hefty downward pressure on inflation, if the output from the rumour mill has any value. However, if inflation does…

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Grim outlook for jobs in UK construction

Grim outlook for jobs in UK construction

The official figures show construction lost 67,000 jobs in the third quarter of this year. This is more than 1,000 jobs each working day and half the jobs lost to the UK economy over that period. So while there may be suggestions of more stability in the wider economy, construction is clearly still mired in a growing recession.