Economic Outlook

Towers Watson has assessed insurer's investment implications in case of a Scottish of ‘Yes' vote.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has upgraded its UK GDP forecast for 2014 but cautioned the recovery may be short-lived unless exports bounce back.

The UK economy will grow faster in 2014 than any other G7 economy, while low wage rises will ensure interest rates do not rise until next year, an influential report has forecast.

A hike in the base rate of as little as 0.25% would have a much greater impact on the disposable incomes of highly indebted consumers, potentially threatening the UK's recovery, Neil Woodford has said.

Britain's recovery has become entrenched and the Bank of England should start to raise interest rates in the coming months to reflect the stronger economy, according to one of its most dovish policymakers.

Confidence in the UK economy has hit a post-crisis high despite soaring valuations pointing towards a correction, according to the FT.

The UK economy is in good health, suggest two major business lobby groups, the CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The official UK interest rate could settle at an average of 3% in a few years, the outgoing deputy governor of the Bank of England has predicted.

Both providers and intermediaries are expecting the insurance sector to grow significantly over the next three to five years, with the life/critical illness and health products leading the way.

Britain's rapid growth rate will become "ingrained" and more balanced, the European Commission said on Monday, as two separate reports suggested the strong rate of expansion was likely to continue.