Mortgages could continue to rise
Nov 14 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal
THE Council of Mortgage Lenders has said that the increase in mortgage costs reinforces a trend which began in early summer and reflects interest rate rises in May and July. But the industry body warned that the impact of the recent credit crunch, which has caused lenders to tighten their lending policies and increase some rates, had only begun to affect mortgage approvals in October, suggesting rates could increase further in the coming months.
Call for tougher alcohol controls
THE newly-formed Alcohol Health Alliance has called for higher taxes and a pre-9pm advertising ban for drink. It will also campaign for the drink driving limit to be reduced and a near zero limit for new drivers. The Alliance is made up of 24 health organisations and is chaired by the Royal College of Physicians president, Professor Ian Gilmore. It wants more dedicated funding for alcohol prevention and treatment strategies and more publicity about the negative effects of alcohol on health.
Fall in demand for online recruits
ONLINE hiring activity dropped in the UK in October 2007 for the second consecutive month as the Monster Employment Index declined by two points. The Index dropped to a level of 160 points, due mainly to a significant decline in online demand in the sales sector. There were also notable decreases in opportunities for craft and related workers; legislators, senior officials and managers.
Cheaper phone services pledge
THE European Commission has promised better and cheaper telecoms services, from mobile phones to fast internet broadband technology and cable television. Moves to open up the electronics market will benefit 500 million consumers, said European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
‘Unacceptable’ cost of benefits
THE Prime Minister’s aim of “British jobs for British people” will fail unless more is done to help people on sickness benefit back into work, a leading business group has warned. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) also called on the Government to tackle the skills gap for those out of work and said it was “unacceptable” that 4.5 million people were on benefit, costing taxpayers £12.5bn a year.
