• Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, March 2011

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Revisions to Q4 2010 GDP showed the economy had contracted more sharply than first thought, -0.6% compared with an initial figure of -0.5%. In addition, unemployment remains stuck around 2.5 million and average earnings are growing at around half the rate of inflation. Other indicators are more positive. The manufacturing sector is growing strongly, business sentiment is improving and retail sales recovered in January. [Article: 'Lending to small businesses' and 'The UK's aid programmes - where is the money going?']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, February 2011

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. The 0.5% contraction in GDP in Q4 2010 surprised most economists who had predicted modest growth. The ONS blamed the impact of December’s weather for some, but not all, of the weakness. This together with other recent economic data – particularly increasing unemployment, rising inflation and falling consumer confidence – further amplify the uncertainty about the economy in 2011. [Articles:'GDP growth: It was the weather - wasn't it?' and 'Working out work - what's happening in the labour market?']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, January 2011

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Latest data from the labour market show the unemployment rate rising to 7.9% in the three months to October, the first quarterly increase since April. The number of people in employment fell during the same period, with the number of people in full-time employment still lower compared with a year ago. These figures, together with tax increases and above-target inflation, make for an uncertain economic outlook in 2011. [Articles:'The VAT increase' and 'Eurozone debt crises']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, December 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Quarterly GDP growth of 0.8% in Q3 was confirmed, with broad gains across all sectors of the economy. Consumer spending in Q3 increased by only 0.3%, compared with a 0.7% rise in Q2, while government expenditure increased by 0.4% compared with a 1.0% rise in Q2. Exports rose by 2.2% in Q3; with imports increasing by only 0.7%, net trade provided a large positive contribution to overall GDP growth, raising hopes that the economy is starting to rebalance. [Articles:'Quantitative Easing - how does it work?' and 'Businesses and recession']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic indicators, November 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. It includes articles entitled 'The outlook for the public finances' and 'Which sectors are driving the economic recovery?' [Articles:'The outlook for the public finances' and 'Which sectors are driving the economic recovery?']

  • Research Briefing

    Postal Services Bill [Bill 78 of 2010-11]

    This Paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons of the Postal Services Bill. The Bill has four main parts. Part 1 provides for changes to the ownership structure of Royal Mail Holdings plc and its subsidiaries (including Post Office Ltd). Part 2 provides for Royal Mail’s historic pension deficit to be transferred to government. Part 3 provides for changes in the regulatory arrangements for postal services and Part 4 provides for a “special administration regime” should there be a risk to the universal postal service from the possibility of the provider becoming insolvent.

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, October 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Employment in the three months to July 2010 was 286,000 higher than the previous quarter, mainly due to an increase in part-time employment. This is the largest quarterly increase in employment since records began in 1971. GDP growth in Q2 2010 was confirmed at 1.2%, the fastest quarterly increase in national output since 2001. Manufacturing output continues to recover strongly, increasing by 4.9% in the year to July, although employment in the sector fell. [Articles: 'Saving the Economy?' and 'Comparing earnings in the public and private sector']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, September 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This issue includes articles entitled 'The North-South divide' and 'Comparing UK Unemployment Internationally'. [Articles: 'The North-South divide' and 'Comparing UK Unemployment Internationally']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, August 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This issue includes articles entitled 'Analysing the recent recession' and 'UK aid budget: under pressure?'. [Articles: 'Analysing the recent recession' and 'UK aid budget: under pressure?']

  • Research Briefing

    Economic indicators, July 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This edition includes articles on future growth in the UK economy, and the CPI and benefit indexation. [article:'Future growth in the UK economy' and 'The CPI and benefit indexation']

Total results (page 32 of 40)