News for Spread Betters

Previous

Next

There's a new Investor Edition of CMC Markets' spread betting platform... and it's exclusive to DigitalLook.com users...

Get full details about Marketmaker:Investor Edition here.

News for Spread Betters

Previous

Next

There's a new Investor Edition of CMC Markets' spread betting platform... and it's exclusive to DigitalLook.com users...

Get full details about Marketmaker:Investor Edition here.

Unsecured Loans

Previous

Next

Lighten the load of all those repayments with a low rate unsecured loan. This month's selected offers:

1. Barclays Loans
2. Halifax Loans

AMEX Platinum

Previous

Next

Money back on your spendings? With American Express Platinum MoneyBack card, you can get

• 5% Money Back* during your first 3 months, then
• standard Money Back rate up to 1.5% with
• typical APR 18.9% variable

Why look further? Apply now!

Digital Look's Best Picks

Previous

Next

Your money can work for you! Get it going with one of this month’s high interest current accounts:

1. A&L Premier Direct
2. Coventry First Account
3. Co-operative Current Plus

Date: Monday 21 Jul 2008

LONDON (ShareCast) - Britain will struggle to avoid falling into recession next year with growth slowing and inflation set to remain high, according to the latest forecast from Ernst & Young's Item Club.

Growth will be just 1% in 2009, E&Y predicted, with consumer spending restrained by rising living costs and falling house prices. Item expects inflation to remain above the target range of 1 to 3% for the next 12 months and there will also be a substantial increase in the numbers of unemployed.

"Both on the high street and in the housing market it is going to get a great deal worse before it gets better," said Professor Peter Spencer, the Item Club's chief economist.

House prices are tipped to fall 10% this year and by a further 6% in 2009.The poor state of the UK economy will also mean deep cuts in interest rates by the end of the next year.

"The weakening economy should allow the MPC to cut base rates this winter without running the risk of inflationary second-round effects. We expect base rates to fall to 4% by the end of 2009. This will help to put a cushion under the level of demand in the economy and set the scene for a recovery in 2010," Spencer added.

A new survey from the Institute of Directors echoed the ITEM Club's gloomy prognosis. It found confidence among employers has fallen to its lowest level since 1996, though a majority of companies surveyed still expect to increase their workforce next year and to boost investment.

"The sharp fall in overall business optimism is very worrying and points towards a recession," said its chief economist Graeme Leach, though he added that other results suggested the UK could still escape with a sharp slowdown over 2008-09.

• News Channel