Manufacturing and mid-sized companies are unexpected sources of growth

New research shows that just seven percent of companies, mid-sized, created half of all new jobs since 2002. These fast growers are spread across all sectors and industries, and Government is looking at whether anything can be done to help them grow faster. At the same time, with the global manufacturing sector in the worst …

Cattle futures reach record high

Despite increased supplies of corn from countries around the Black Sea, the balance between supply and demand at a global level is tightly balanced. This has left markets “vulnerable to leading to intense price swings”, despite a drop  in the price from recent highs. Corn is the main ingredient in cattle feed. This uncertainty, combined with …

Airlines face difficult times

Air travel is closely related to economic growth, and Europe’s ‘flag’ carriers have had a disappointing summer. The IMF has cut its forecasts for global economic growth in 2012-2013 to just over 1%. European flag airlines are so far responding not by cutting capacity but by cancelling growth plans. Low cost airlines, however, and US …

Electric car charging-points rolling out across Britain

The Welcome Break and Little Chef chains are installing charging points for electric cars at their restaurants across the country, in partnership with electricity companies. Blackfriars station in London is getting a new (solar PV) roof that will generate about half the electricity it uses.