Here in Financial Regulation Matters we have looked at the issue of personal debt before, with posts ranging from the ever-growing crisis to the predatory lending that exists within the sector. In today’s post, we will be looking at the figures that have been released by a blog for Bank of England (BoE) staff – it is not a usual blog, but a vehicle for BoE staff to openly discuss certain policies and aspects that affect policies – that describe how the situation for everyday consumers is a cyclical, almost hopeless process that many stay trapped in for decades. This analysis will be counteracted by the news stories that receive plenty of attention in the media, with the aim being to illustrate how consumer confidence is almost enshrined within the modus operandi of the system , even in the face of opposing, and often devastating facts. The news has been awash recently with stories about consumers operating more shrewdly in the credit markets (in relation to switching between...

Usually, here in Financial Regulation Matters , posts will start with a quick introduction to the subject at hand, and then will dive straight into the analysis. However, in today’s piece, it is important that we depart from this format and spell out, precisely, the sentiment of the following piece. Firstly, regular readers of Financial Regulation Matters will know that the posts often confront political issues, as is necessary given the interconnectedness of politics, financial regulation, the economy, and society moreover, but it is rarely from a biased angle; the posts are not on the ‘left’ of the political spectrum, because they are pro-business, and they are not on the ‘right’ of the spectrum because they do not subscribe to the pro-market sentiments that are often, and correctly associated with the political ‘right’. However, this post will be focusing on the political ‘right’ and the Conservative party in particular. Additionally, the posts attempt to offer a (somewhat) bala...

Today’s post represents somewhat of an update on two posts that have come before here in Financial Regulation Matters , concerning the relationship between big business and the student accommodation sector , and then the continued increase that followed. Rather than go over these particular issues again, this post will instead analyse the conclusions emanating from the recent ‘ Student Housing Conference ’ held on Wednesday, and then expand this analysis to look at some of the issues that may result because of these developments, particularly in relation to the notion of equality and the impact upon studies. The recent Student Housing Conference, held in London last Wednesday, saw some of the world’s richest individuals and institutional investors flock to Covent Garden, so much so that the annual gathering ‘had grown from 200 people to more than 500’ and ‘ potential buyers were forced to stand during presentations ’. In addition to this, the new trend sees foreign investment f...