Trump to make state visit UK in September despite King’s concerns June 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump is set to make a full state visit to the UK in September in a further sign of Prime Minister Starmer’s efforts to bring the two countries closer together. But King Charles preferred an initial informal visit that would represent a less eventful trip amid threats made to Canada’s sovereignty, according [...]
Graduate jobs at ‘weakest level since 2018’ as Reeves’ taxes rattle firms June 25, 2025 Graduate jobs are now at their “weakest level since at least 2018”, fresh data has suggested, as Chancellor Reeves’ tax hikes on employers have made bosses avoid hiring junior workers. The UK government has made job creation a crucial part of its efforts to grow the economy and improve living standards for Brits after years [...]
ONS appoints Bank of England data exec as new chief June 24, 2025 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed a Bank of England executive as its new director general at a time when the independent body is losing trust over its poor handling of key data. James Benford, who served as the Bank’s chief data officer and oversaw analytics, will join the ONS in early August [...]
Inflation ‘plateau’ could keep interest rates higher, Bank hawk warns June 24, 2025 Bank of England officials may avoid cutting interest rates as worries inflation will remain above three per cent over the coming months leave policymakers in an “uncomfortable place”, a Monetary Policy Committee member has warned. Speaking at an event hosted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, external member Megan Greene said the [...]
Chinese ‘super-embassy’ by Tower of London nears approval June 22, 2025 A Chinese mega-embassy near the Tower of London is set to be approved by ministers within weeks. The Planning Inspectorate, which decides on major infrastructure projects, has given the scheme the go-ahead in a report sent to Angela Rayner just under a fortnight ago, the Sunday Times reported. It is expected to be formally approved [...]
UK growth to suffer from interest rates hold, industry warns June 19, 2025 The UK economy stands to suffer from high borrowing costs, leading industry figures have warned, after the Bank of England held interest rates at 4.25 per cent on Thursday. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) indicated that interest rate cuts could come in the coming months after a recent 25 basis point cut in May. [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25 per cent June 19, 2025 The Bank of England has held interest rates to “squeeze out persistent inflationary pressures” amid tensions between Israel and Iran risking an alarming uptick in energy prices later this year. Officials said high inflation predictions and sticky wage growth figures had led them to opt for interest rates to be kept at 4.25 per cent [...]
Exclusive: Government admits fossil fuels use is cheaper than net zero technology June 19, 2025 The UK government has quietly admitted that using low-carbon technologies essential to the rapid drive to net zero are more expensive than when fossil fuels are used an energy source, City AM can reveal. Labour ministers are expected to double down on expanding the use of green technologies to lower costs as the Treasury and [...]
Reform UK: Treasury should intervene on Bank interest rates decisions June 18, 2025 Reform UK has suggested the Treasury should be allowed to contribute to the Bank of England’s interest rates decision in what would represent an intervention on its independence for the first time in nearly 30 years. Deputy leader Richard Tice told The Times ministers should have greater power over the Bank’s key decisions while it [...]
Inflation overshoots expectations ahead of Bank of England meeting June 18, 2025 Inflation hit 3.4 per cent in the year to May, official data has revealed, which is set to be the final set of data Bank of England officials receive before coming to an interest rates decision on Thursday. Data published by the Office for National Statistics showed services price growth, which is closely monitored by [...]