Hackney set to become richer

A NEW study has predicted the diminishing of Britain’s wealth divide by 2015 - which is good news for Hackney, writes Ronan Murphy.

SG Hambros Private Bank has estimated that the North West and the East Midlands will close the gap in affluence with London and the South East over the next eight years.

In London itself, Hackney and the rest of North East London is also set to undergo substantial growth.

London will still maintain its overall momentum, and a PriceWaterhouseCoopers report forecast anticipates it becoming the fourth largest city economy in the world by 2020.

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BT to get tough with bill-dodgers

HACKNEY residents who do not pay their BT phone bill by direct debit will be hit with an extra charge in the future, writes Ronan Murphy.

BT will add £4.50 to their quarterly bills from May 1 because non-direct debit payments cost more to process and are more likely to be paid later, a spokesman said.

The charge will affect over five million people across the nation. Major companies such as Virgin Media and the Post Office make similar charges for non-direct debit payment.

Trading Standards have attacked BT over the move, calling it “outrageous” and “unjustified”.

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British Gas to cut prices in Hackney

BRITISH Gas customers in Hackney will enjoy significant cuts to their gas and electricity bills this year, writes Ronan Murphy.

The energy giant has reduced its annual gas prices by 17 per cent and its electricity prices by 11 per cent, with the dual bill dropping £167, from £1,120 to £953.

The price cuts come in response to a general lowering in the cost of wholesale gas prices in the last six months, and after the company lost one million customers last year. Other energy firms are planning to follow suit and cut costs.

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