Insolvencies rise at start of 2025 as businesses brace for extra costs February 18, 2025 The number of insolvencies rose at the start of the year, in a sign that UK businesses continue to struggle ahead of a looming increase in employment costs.
Bank of England still on track to cut interest rates despite surging wages February 18, 2025 "Pay growth went up, but actually not quite as much as we were expecting," Andrew Bailey said at an event in Brussels.
Labour market ‘creaking rather than cracking’ following Budget February 18, 2025 There's been a growing air of pessimism around the labour market since Labour's maiden Budget, and with good reason.
Wage growth accelerates again as concerns about inflation rise February 18, 2025 Wage growth accelerated again in the final quarter of last year, new figures show, in a reminder that the UK economy still faces sticky price pressures.
Budget policies coming home to roost February 18, 2025 With each passing day, the government’s insistence that economic growth is its “number one priority” sounds more and more offensive. Just a few days ago, the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said he believes that “good policy, good strategies, and good government working hand-in-hand with the private sector, can make a difference.” This may be true, [...]
‘This is Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax’: Labour warned inheritance tax protests won’t stop February 17, 2025 The Labour government’s reforms to farmers’ inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget has been branded as “Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax”. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, added that the Prime Minister is “losing the argument and feeling rattled”. The pubs boss has liked the policy, which [...]
Employer confidence heading in the ‘wrong direction’ as firms plan job cuts February 17, 2025 A new survey suggests that more firms are planning job cuts in the next quarter than at any time in the last decade, excluding the pandemic. The latest labour market outlook from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) paints a bleak picture of the labour market, as firms plan job cuts in response [...]
City braces for inflation rebound February 17, 2025 City analysts expect the headline rate of inflation to rise to 2.8 per cent, up from 2.5 per cent in December.
Trump’s steel tariffs would damage UK and US, says Business Secretary February 16, 2025 The Government has promised a package of up to £2.5bn to boost the UK steel industry and help secure its future.
Pound sterling rises to highest level this year as markets digest ‘mind-blowing’ tariff plans February 14, 2025 Sterling was trading at $1.26 on Friday afternoon, up 0.3 per cent on the day and its highest level so far in 2025.
