Over 300,000 small businesses in the UK are planning to lay off workers following the sharp increases in employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage announced in Rachel Reeves’
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Severe cost pressures are mounting on British businesses, prompting the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to downgrade the UK’s economic growth forecast for 2025. The lobby group now expects the
Britain’s economic outlook appears increasingly challenging as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her spring statement on 26 March. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forthcoming forecasts are expected to
British retailers, suppliers and manufacturers are implementing price increases following the October budget’s tax hikes, raising concerns about higher-than-expected inflation rates this year. Food inflation, which surged from 2 per
A significant uptick in retail sales volumes marked the start of 2025, with food shopping and post-Christmas discounts propelling a 1.7 per cent increase in January. The rise, which exceeded
The British government’s fiscal position faces mounting pressure as official figures revealed a significant overshoot in public finances, potentially derailing the chancellor’s plans to balance the books by 2029. January’s
The fundamental measurement of GDP growth as an economic indicator faces mounting scrutiny in Britain’s evolving financial landscape. Whilst chancellors consistently prioritise GDP expansion as their primary objective, the metric’s
British consumer confidence has hit its lowest point in 11 months, plunging 40 points since the summer general election, according to the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) survey. The monthly
British consumer confidence has witnessed an unexpected upturn, with the GfK index climbing two points to -20 in mid-February, surpassing analysts’ predictions of a static reading. The improvement spans across
Britain’s inflation rate has climbed to 3 percent for the first time since March 2024, casting doubt over the anticipated trajectory of interest rate reductions this year. The unexpected uptick
The British government is preparing substantial welfare reforms aimed at reducing expenditure by approximately £5 billion, sparking internal conflicts over the allocation of these savings. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz
British workers experienced the most rapid real wage expansion in more than three years during the last quarter of 2023, raising concerns about persistent inflation potentially hampering significant interest rate
Fresh data from the Office for National Statistics reveals a concerning trend in UK productivity, with merely three out of 18 private sector industries recording growth in the latest quarter.
In a revealing development for Britain’s welfare system, more than three million individuals are currently claiming universal credit without any obligation to seek employment – a figure twice as high
The chair of Iceland Foods, Richard Walker, has awarded the Labour government a modest “six out of 10” for their performance thus far, following his strategic shift in political allegiance
Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves faces the prospect of implementing £12 billion in tax rises if the party wishes to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP whilst avoiding severe
