Forum Topic

End of the recession?

Am I dreaming this or can we see the beginning of the end of the financial trough? There seems to be an air of optimism around.

Gerry Tan ● 4422d6 Comments

The discernible signs are a lowering of unemployment which will lead to an interest rate rise which in turn will boost savings and pension pots. Or so we are told....

Keith Iddon ● 4421d

"...BTW, the recession ended some time ago..."Yes Susan, but since the first quarter of 2012 we've seen hardly dicernable growth, except lately in 2013. Maybe the economy will start to show healthy growth now.

Gerry Tan ● 4421d

They swallowed rises in their running costs for five years. Nobody does that willingly, so the fact that they feel able to raise prices now speaks volumes.BTW, the recession ended some time ago: the British economy has not contracted since the first quarter of 2012 -- almost two years ago.

Susan Kelly ● 4421d

Maybe the Plumber and the Taxi people can no longer swallow price rises in fuel and/or other running costs and simply had no choice?Don't ticket prices rise annually?  This isn't taken as a sign the recession is over is it?As much as I would like to see the end of this recession, there is a long way to go yet.

Christine Daniels ● 4421d

I think you've got a very good point Susan - my barber raised his prices for a sbas(short back'n sides) for the first time in ages - you're spot-on in suggesting these recent rises in costs seem to be truer pointers to economic growth than government predictions. I hope we're right.

Gerry Tan ● 4422d

I believe so, Gerry. When I called my plumber round to give the boiler its annual service in September, he had raised his prices for the first time in 5 years. He also sent a new recruit rather than coming himself as he has for the past 3 or 4 years. Our minicab firm also charged us slightly more for an airport drop off last month, again the first rise in five years. These facts indicate growth to me far more effectively than any government figures.

Susan Kelly ● 4422d