UK interest rates could climb back above 4 per cent if escalating tensions in the Middle East keep oil and gas prices elevated for an extended period, according to a leading economic think tank. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research said the Bank of England may have to respond to a significant energy […]
Middle East Conflict Threatens Inflation, UK Borrowing Costs Read More »
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed inflation fell from 3.4 per cent in December, reaching its lowest annual rate since March 2025. The decline was broadly in line with economists’ forecasts. The slowdown was largely driven by falling airfares, petrol and food prices, although higher costs for hotels and takeaway meals
Price Growth Slows to 3% as Jobless Rate Climbs Read More »
The UK economy grew by a marginal 0.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2025, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Thursday, highlighting a slowdown after strong growth in the first half of the year. Analysts had expected a 0.2 per cent rise. On a monthly basis, output rose
UK Economy Slows to 0.1% Growth in Final Quarter of 2025 Read More »
Unemployment in the UK has remained near a five-year high, while wage growth continued to cool in the months leading up to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s November budget, official figures show. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on Tuesday that the jobless rate held steady at 5.1 per cent in the three months to November,
Payroll Declines, Wage Growth Slows Amid Rising Joblessness in UK Read More »
The UK economy moved back into growth in November, expanding by 0.3 per cent after contracting in October, according to official figures that exceeded market expectations and eased fears of a deeper slowdown ahead of the autumn budget. Data released by the Office for National Statistics showed economic output rose more strongly than the 0.1
Car Production Boosts UK Economy as Output Rises Ahead of Budget Read More »
UK unemployment is expected to rise to its highest level in more than a decade in 2026, as a sluggish economy struggles to absorb higher employment costs and weak private-sector growth, according to a new survey of leading economists. In The Times’ annual Economists Survey, 48 senior economists warned that the UK economy remains “moribund”
UK Unemployment Forecast to Hit 11-Year High as Economists Warn of Weak Growth Read More »
Wes Streeting has publicly challenged Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit stance by arguing that Britain should pursue membership of a customs union with the European Union, a position strongly backed by Labour voters, according to new polling. The intervention by the health secretary marks the clearest breach yet of Starmer’s stated refusal to revisit customs union
Wes Streeting Defies Starmer as Labour Voters Push for EU Customs Union Read More »
The UK government borrowed more than forecast in November, underlining the fragile state of the public finances ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget, according to official figures. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed public sector net borrowing, the gap between spending and income stood at £11.7bn last month. Although this was
UK Borrows £11.7bn in November, Exceeding City Forecasts Read More »
Interest rates in the UK are expected to fall for the fourth time this year as the Bank of England prepares to announce a 0.25 percentage point reduction on Thursday, bringing the base rate down to 3.75 per cent, a near three-year low. The decision comes after the Office for National Statistics reported that inflation
Bank of England Poised to Cut Interest Rates to Near Three-Year Low Read More »
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has pointed to economic growth in countries with customs unions, as Downing Street pushes for closer ties with the European Union. Speaking on the News Agents podcast, Lammy said it was “self-evident that leaving the European Union badly damaged our economy” and highlighted the advantages enjoyed by other states with
Brexit Criticism Intensifies as Lammy Highlights Benefits of EU Economic Links Read More »
