US confidence in UK business environment improves but concerns over tax grow July 24, 2024 US confidence in the UK's business environment increased for the first time in two years, according to a survey, but American firms were also increasingly nervous about the tax regime.
UK growth set to continue as manufacturing PMI climbs to two year high July 24, 2024 The economy’s strong performance so far in 2024 looks set to continue thanks to the continued recovery of the manufacturing sector, a closely watched survey suggests. S&P’s ‘flash’ purchasing managers’s index (PMI) came in at 52.7, up from 52.3 last month and slightly higher than the 52.6 expected by economists. The survey, which measures economic [...]
Six graphs the Bank of England will study before August interest rate decision July 24, 2024 For the first time since last September, there is genuine uncertainty about the Bank of England’s next move on interest rates. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet next Thursday, with markets putting the odds of a cut at about 40 per cent. There’s enough evidence of disinflation to warrant a cut. Similarly, more hawkish [...]
Will Labour’s move to hire 300 planning officers be enough to get Britain building again? July 24, 2024 Since entering office, planning reforms have been central to the new government’s attempts to stimulate higher economic growth. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already announced a number of important changes to the planning regime with more changes expected before the end of the month. Alongside these reforms, the government has committed to hire 300 extra planners [...]
Labour’s growth push continues with ‘fundamental’ welfare reform promised July 23, 2024 Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, said that her department would become “a genuine department for work” as the new government attempts to tackle the rise in economic inactivity. “DWP has focused almost entirely on the benefits system, and specifically on implementing Universal Credit,” she said in a speech in Barnsley. “Nowhere near enough [...]
Bullish analysts think sterling’s rally will continue despite chance of interest rate cuts July 23, 2024 Sterling has been one of the strongest performing currencies this year on the back of sticky inflation and stronger than expected growth.
And another! EY upgrades forecasts for UK economy July 23, 2024 The UK received another upgrade on the back of its strong performance in the first half of the year, with EY the latest firm to bump up forecasts for the economy.
Make no mistake, tax rises are on the way July 23, 2024 Evidence is piling up that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will almost certainly be forced to raise taxes this autumn, Chris Dorrell writes
Skills England launched with pledge to cut ‘over-reliance’ on migrant labour July 22, 2024 Announcing the new body, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wanted to reduce firms' "over-reliance" on migrant workers.
Financial distress soars in ‘extremely testing’ UK business environment July 22, 2024 Although consumer facing firms were hit the worst, levels of distress increased across 20 of the 22 sectors covered in the Red Flag Alert.