Autumn Budget could ‘exacerbate’ manufacturing challenges November 3, 2025 Fears that the UK manufacturing industry’s recovery could be “short-lived” have jumped as firms brace for a painful Autumn Budget. The latest S&P Global’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged up to 49.7 in October, marking a 12-month high for the sector. But this remained stubbornly below the all-important 50.0 threshold, which indicates whether a [...]
Sulnox shares jump as it unveils new shipping partnership November 3, 2025 Shares in greentech firm Sulnox have jumped Monday after it unveiled a new contract with a major shipping business. The Aquis-listed company, which develops lower emissions fuel technology, said its Sulnox Eco fuel was set to be adopted across the 28-strong fleet of Greek shipping business Spring Marine Group. It comes after a trial period [...]
Rachel Reeves considering ‘exit tax’ on wealthy Brits fleeing the UK November 3, 2025 Rachel Reeves is looking at a tax on wealthy Brits leaving the UK and a mansion tax, as last ditch levers to pull ahead of the Budget. The Times reported on a possible 20 per cent “settling-up charge” on business assets, which is the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT). It is thought that the [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Brave Bison eyes takeover, Ryanair earnings jump November 3, 2025 Good morning from the City PM liveblog team. A motor finance battle, hefty impairment charges and the shadow of 2008 all cast over banks third-quarter results but beneath the fog investors are rewarding the FTSE 100’s top lenders for another bumper quarter. The FTSE 350 banks index has risen nearly four per cent in October [...]
Reeves urged to fix Britain’s ‘broken credit system’ that’s failing millions of renters November 3, 2025 A coalition of MPs, lenders, fintechs and charities have urged Rachel Reeves to fix the UK’s “broken credit system”, warning that millions of renters are being locked out of home ownership. The Financial Freedom for Everyone campaign, which includes The Money Charity and Clear Score, sent an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’, calling on [...]
UK unemployment rate to hit 5 per cent next year, EY predicts November 3, 2025 The UK’s unemployment rate is set to rise to five per cent in the beginning of next year before falling back, a leading forecaster has said. In its latest update on forecasts for UK growth, EY ITEM Club has suggested that the UK jobs market is set to see a further decline in the next [...]
New body to run military housing in Ministry of Defence overhaul November 3, 2025 Ministers are set to create a new quango to run military housing after concluding the Ministry of Defence was not up to the job. The new Defence Housing Service, to be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey on Monday, will take over management of service accommodation after years of complaints about poor quality homes. It [...]
Defence secretary: there will be “consequences” from weak economic forecasts November 2, 2025 Defence Secretary John Healey has warned there will be “consequences” from recent weaker economic forecasts in the nearing Autumn Budget. The minister insisted no final decisions had been made for the upcoming Budget, which will be delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on 26 November. However, he acknowledged that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) saw [...]
Banned China tech firms lobbied for London embassy November 2, 2025 Chinese tech firms banned on national security grounds in both the UK and the United States lobbied for Beijing’s new embassy in London, growing fears it could be used as an overseas “spy centre”. State-controlled company ZTE Mobile, which was deemed by GCHQ to pose a risk to British telecommunications infrastructure that “cannot be mitigated”, [...]
Business confidence at ‘rock bottom’ as tax rumours spook directors November 1, 2025 Business confidence remained at “rock bottom” in October as Budget rumours test executives’ nerves amid fears of rising costs and a collapse in growth, a top industry group’s survey has indicated. Rachel Reeves has publicly said that tax hikes are under consideration at this year’s Budget while rumours have suggested big businesses could be hit [...]
