Businesses borrowing falls in December but increases year-on-year

Britain’s GDP contracted by 0.1% in March, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today. “The March decline highlights the pressure the economy is now coming under from the cost of living squeeze and the danger of it falling into outright recession later this year,” said Rupert Thompson, Investment Strategist at Kingswood. The services sector, which includes contributions from education, arts and entertainment, and food service among others, fell 0.2% last month and was the main contributor to this decline.

Britain’s GDP contracted by 0.1% in March, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.

The latest Consumer Price Index continues upward to 6.2%, adding to fears over the increased cost of living. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) was recorded at 6.2% this morning. This means inflation has hit a new 30 year high, which will only exacerbate the cost of living. “This is the highest CPI 12-month inflation rate in the National Statistic series which began in January 1997, and the highest rate in the historic modelled series since March 1992, when it stood at 7.1%,” the Office for National Statistics (ONS) stated. The rise can be attributed to a number of diverse contributions. This included a bump in prices for clothing, footwear, toys and other recreational goods, said the ONS.

The latest Consumer Price Index continues upward to 6.2%, adding to fears over the increased cost of living.

Strong Customer Authentication regulation will now require online shoppers to verify themselves before paying at the checkout after £376 million was lost to online fraud in 2020. Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), which has been endorsed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and UK Finance, will be in place from today. These regulations have been enforced as an attempt to reduce the £376 million lost in online fraud in 2020, according to Barclaycard.

Strong Customer Authentication regulation requires online shoppers to verify themselves before the checkout after £376 million was lost to fraud in 2020.