ROAR Insights

EY Summary The EY ITEM Club’s Spring 2024 Forecast revisits the UK’s economic conditions, focusing on the recent technical recession and the prospects for recovery. The report underscores the resilience of the UK economy despite several macroeconomic challenges and suggests a modest recovery trajectory over the coming years. Key Points The UK economy met the technical definition of a recession in the latter half of 2023, but signs of economic stagnation have been present since early 2022.Despite the recession, the… Read more

Intrum Summary The 2024 European Payment Report by Intrum provides a comprehensive overview of the changing landscape of payments across Europe, underscoring the cautious optimism among businesses about future growth and the potential of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize back-office operations. Key Points European economic recovery is slow, with modest GDP growth projected for 2024.Inflation rates have decreased from their 2022 peaks but remain above target levels.Significant optimism about AI’s role in enhancing efficiencies and business… Read more

Which Summary The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the usage patterns and demographic profiles of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) users in the UK, highlighting the broader financial and societal impacts of these services. It examines the potential harms associated with BNPL products, especially under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discusses necessary regulatory measures to protect consumers. Key Points BNPL products are used by approximately 33% of the UK population, debunking the stereotype that they are primarily… Read more

Which Summary The technical report investigates the demographic and behavioural profiles of consumers who use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. The report, prepared by Which? and executed by Opinium Research, aims to enhance understanding of BNPL users to inform potential regulatory measures by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It presents a detailed analysis based on a bespoke survey of over 15,000 respondents, offering insights into the characteristics that correlate with BNPL usage. Key Points The survey defined BNPL distinctly… Read more

Money Advice Trust Summary This document outlines ten principles for designing vulnerable consumer data-sharing programs. Supported by WhatWeNeed.Support and the Money Advice Trust, the paper advocates for data-sharing practices that are transparent, consumer-centric, and ensure the fair treatment of vulnerable and disabled consumers within essential services sectors. Key Points Data-sharing is crucial for improving service access for vulnerable or disabled consumers.A national debate on data-sharing among essential services is ongoing, highlighting the critical need for such initiatives.The document proposes ten… Read more