How does this square with the government's alcohol policy, which is supposedly trying to encourage more food in pubs? |
Inflation in the core of Europe is moderate. |
It's tricky for the European Central Bank. In places like Spain and Ireland, interest rates are clearly too low, but the ECB has to set rates for the region as a whole. |
Predictions that pubs will be open for 24 hours were wide of the mark. |
The survey seems to be a little bit worse than people had anticipated. It does show that the manufacturing sector is struggling under the weight of the strong pound. It shows a squeeze on profit margins. It will raise a little bit of doubt about whether the Bank of England will have the courage to raise interest rates next week. |
This is definitely a change in the Bank of Japan's stance so it will have a psychological impact and keep the yen soft. |