Friday 20 January 2012

What does the UK economy look like in 2012?

I was fortunate to attend a very interesting Bank of England (BOE) update presentation by the BOE South East Agency in mid-January. For reference, there are 12 regional agencies across the UK. Their purpose, amongst others, is to consult, share and interact with business across the UK as a barometer of views and economic conditions to feed back to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Further details can be found here: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/agentssummary/index.htm

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The update and presentation revealed and consider many economic expectations forecast over the next 12 months. Please bear in mind that forecasts are just that, forecasts, and should not be seen as anything else. I have listed these below:

  • Inflation will continue to fall with the potential of reaching and falling below the MPC’s inflation target of 2.0% by the end of 2012.
  • Growth was largely flat in the last 6 months of 2011 and is expected to be the same in the first 6 months of 2012.
  • GDP growth subdued with the expectation that this will start to move positively at the end of 2012.
  • Base rates are expected to remain unchanged until the end of 2013, unless anything significant occurs.
  • Further Quantative Easing (QE) is expected in 2012, where needed.
  • Unemployment has reached about 8%, with public sector jobs falling and private sector roles increasing. Both are expected to level off although the fears for higher unemployment remain.
  • Consumer consumption has fallen and is expected to fall further.
  • Business lending still falling and likely to continue.
  • No expectation of recession, as long as there is no further shocks.

This is not an exhaustive list, but certainly provides a flavour of the expectations for the UK economy over the next 12 months.

This blog is for information only and should not be seen or used as individual advice. Seek independent financial advice (IFA) for your own circumstances.

Chapters Financial Planning Limited can help you with your own investment, pension, retirement and inheritance tax planning. Please feel free to contact us by email or on our telephone number, 01483 578800.

Keith Churchouse FPFS
Director of Chapters Financial Limited, Guildford, Surrey

Chartered Financial Planner
ISO22222 Certified Financial Planner

Chapters Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority, number: 402899.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Chapters Financial Limited to build on Churchouse Financial Planning’s award winning service in 2012

Churchouse Financial Planning is changing its name to Chapters Financial Limited on 1st January 2012. The rebrand of the Surrey-based Chartered Financial Planners follows the settling of a trademark issue.

Keith Churchouse, who founded Churchouse Financial Planning, said: “I’m excited about our new name; it really does represent a new chapter for our business. Choosing it wasn’t easy, but we settled on Chapters Financial because it reflects the traditional values of the sound professional financial advice that we uphold, which is so crucial in the current economic climate.”

Esther Dadswell, co-Director of Chapters Financial planning, said: “The last eighteen months have shown us the importance of protecting our intellectual property and brand. The name change has also given us the opportunity to alter the description of our service from ‘Financial Planning’ to simply ‘Financial’ to reflect the breadth of the advice we offer on many aspects of wealth management. But whatever we’re titled, we’ll always be a stalwart supporter of independent financial advice, which our clients have come to rely on.”

Keith added: “This has been the best year ever for Churchouse, culminating in winning a Gold Standards Award for independent financial advice in November. I’m confident that our new name, along with new staff joining in January, will be a springboard for our continued success in providing expert advice to clients across Surrey, London and the Home Counties.”

This blog is for information only and should not be seen or used as individual advice. Seek independent financial advice (IFA) for your own circumstances.

Chapters Financial Planning Limited can help you with your own investment, pension, retirement and inheritance tax planning. Please feel free to contact us by email at info@chaptersfinancial.com or on our telephone number, 01483 578800.

Keith Churchouse FPFS
Director of Chapters Financial Limited, Guildford, Surrey

Chartered Financial Planner
ISO22222 Certified Financial Planner
Chapters Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, number: 402899.