Official figures were released last week showing that inflation remains at 4% in the year to January.
Energy prices have increased due to the new energy price cap, and the price for second-hand cars also rose by 1.5%. However, food prices fell for the first time in two years by 0.4%. Discounts offered by retailers for furniture and household goods in the January sales have also exerted a downward push on inflation.
Of course, inflation staying flat does not mean that prices are not increasing. A 4% inflation rate means that prices are still going up at double the rate targeted by the Bank of England.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have also released figures showing that pay, excluding bonuses, grew by 6.2% in the last quarter of 2023. While this and the number of job vacancies have reduced since the summer, pay growth still exceeds inflation. The former deputy governor of the Bank of England said that he would be surprised to see the Bank lowering the base rate until this changes.
Businesses therefore continue to face increased prices for supplies and pressure to increase staff wages to meet their costs of living, while trying to balance what can be passed on to customers.
However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt took the news as a positive, saying: “Inflation never falls in a perfect straight line, but the plan is working.”
See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68285819
An independent report, commissioned by the Welsh government, has examined potential future options for income tax devolution in Wales. It compares keeping the current partially devolved system with moving to full devolution, while factoring in the effects of the block grant adjustment (BGA).
Have you reached a point where the idea of running a business feels like more than just a pipe dream? Perhaps you have identified a gap in the market, you want greater independence or your side hustle is telling you that it has the potential to become a full-time income.