Pensioner pessimism drags on consumer confidence ahead of Budget October 9, 2024 Just one in six consumers think that the economy will improve over the next year while half think it will get worse, according to Which?
Businesses ‘cautious’ about the future as tax fears dominate, survey shows October 9, 2024 This was the first time in a year that business confidence had decreased, although the ICAEW noted that confidence was still double the pre-pandemic average.
Adopt new fiscal rules to break UK’s low-growth trap, IPPR says October 8, 2024 The current set of fiscal rules, the UK's ninth, has come under fire from a range of different quarters for their perceived impact in disincentivising government investment.
Bank of England should not adopt ‘aggressive’ rate cuts October 8, 2024 In an interview with the Guardian, Governor Andrew Bailey said there was a chance that the Bank could become a "bit more activist" on rate cuts in the months ahead.
Businesses ‘clearly anxious’ as budget approaches, survey shows October 8, 2024 The BCC's quarterly economic survey showed that 48 per cent of firms cited taxation as a worry, up from 36 per cent the quarter before.
Chancellor’s tightrope walk will leave us holding our breath October 8, 2024 By tradition, Chancellors are allowed a stiff drink at the despatch box as they deliver their Budget. Parliamentary records tell us that Gladstone enjoyed sherry and beaten egg while the most recent Chancellor to indulge in this ancient right, Ken Clarke, opted for a straight whiskey. Since then, there’s been nothing but water in the [...]
Growth set to return but fears persist ahead of budget October 7, 2024 City economists expect figures published on Friday to confirm that the UK grew 0.2 per cent in August, having been stagnant for the two months prior.
Growing labour market slack ‘strengthens case for further rate cuts’ October 7, 2024 "A greater number of candidates and reduced demand helped to limit pay growth," the survey said.
Fears grow about Labour’s private school VAT raid October 6, 2024 According to analysis published by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) last week, there was a 1.7 per cent drop in the number of children attending private school in the last year.
US inflation to take centre stage after bumper jobs report October 6, 2024 Economists expect the headline rate to fall to 2.3 per cent from 2.5 per cent, which would leave inflation at its lowest level since February 2021.