British industrial unrest Second winter of dissatisfaction (but not a patch 1978-1979), which is expected to peak in the next few days. NHS staff And all the driving instructors (yes, I was surprised too) walked out over salary and conditions.
A vote among RMT members on the latest salary proposals for rail workers closes on Monday, with rail unions asking members to decline the proposed deal.Offer could be quite high But a 10% wage increase in two years has been blocked by government ministers, the Financial Times revealed last week. The latest of several 48-hour RMT strikes planned over the Christmas period will begin on Tuesday.
Over 1 million business days expected to lose the strike December saw the worst turmoil in Britain since Margaret Thatcher’s term ended.
Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government enact anti-strike lawsand we may hear more about it this week, successive Conservative prime ministers have made similar promises that have not materialized. . industrial action escalation on Christmas vacation.
Commuters wait for a stop at a London train station © Andy Rain/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Want better news?On Tuesday, the first of Europe’s new generation of weather satellites launch From Kourou, French Guiana to space. Despite what Billy Bragg has sung about what he wants from space hardware, the €4.3 billion Meteosat 3rd generation system is a real leap forward for meteorologists, offering more accurate warnings, including better warnings of impending storms. provide accurate forecasts.
Three satellites will hover in geostationary orbit 36,000km above the African equator. From there, he provides images of Europe every two and a half minutes, including the first comprehensive observations of lightning from space. In doing so, the system is projected to save lives that may have been lost in extreme weather.
And then there’s football.
If you hate the FIFA World Cup, you’ll be happy to know it’s the final week of the tournament. special moon crescendo For a beautiful match with the remaining four teams playing in the semi-finals on Wednesday before Sunday’s final — Read the FT article for more information.
economic data
Strikes aren’t the only focus this week. Markets are watching his three interest rate announcements from the acronymed economies US, EU and UK. All three are expected to moderate somewhat at the level of their projected rise.
There is also a wealth of data from the US and UK affecting the Interest Rate Setting Commission.The gap between short-term and long-term borrowing costs is at its highest level since 1981, and among investors his Fed stay on course On tightening monetary policy to keep inflation in check despite growing fears of a recession.
The UK’s monetary policy committee last met in early November, with a focus on regaining confidence in the country’s economic stewardship.Bank of England continues tough talkbut expect the MPC’s response to be more measured this time.
G7 Weekend with flash purchase manager index figures. There is also an EU summit, and OPEC publishes a monthly outlook report.
enterprise
Expectations are high for Inditex in Spain, home of the Zara brand © Demetrius Freeman/Bloomberg
It’s been a quiet week for earnings calls, but one with some notable companies reporting from certain sectors. For retail fashion, we have H&M. Chinese market recovery After a lengthy consumer boycott. Expectations are also high for Spanish company Inditex, which sells Zara and other products. Technology has Acquisitive Oracle. The outsourcing sector is represented by Capita and Serco.
Read the full calendar for the week ahead here.
