Andy Haldane: Labour has ‘no nose for business’ January 26, 2026 The Labour government lacks anyone with a “nose for business”, Andy Haldane, the former chief economist of the Bank of England, has said in his latest critique against ministers’ quest for growth. Haldane, whose criticism of Budget leaks last year added to pressure on Rachel Reeves, has taken aim at ministers leading Labour’s growth mission [...]
Financial services suffer ‘rapid’ fall in business January 8, 2026 Financial services are suffering from a “rapid” fall in business activity, new survey data has shown, pointing to investors’ struggles to revive a spluttering UK economy. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)‘s figures suggested financial services companies experienced a decline in business volumes and profitability at the end of last year, hitting confidence across the [...]
Majority of Brits think economy is getting worse December 30, 2025 A majority of Brits think the economy is getting worse, with sentiment souring significantly amid rising prices and weak growth. Nearly six in ten Brits believe the UK economy is on a downward spiral, a major jump from 43 per cent at the beginning of the year, marking a significant blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves [...]
Public spending fuelled growth spurt ‘no cause for celebration’ December 12, 2025 Labour’s “spend now, tax later” approach to fiscal policy will drive higher growth than previously expected, an industry group has said, but will leave UK public finances in a “vulnerable” position. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) upgraded its growth forecast for next year from 1 per cent to 1.3 per cent, with an extra [...]
Businesses left ‘in limbo’ during Budget speculation as bosses feel bruised December 2, 2025 The UK’s private sector was left in a state of “limbo” amid months of Budget speculation leading to delayed investment plans, a leading survey has found, underscoring claims that the government misled the public and businesses over tax rises and fiscal constraints. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)’s monthly private sector survey has revealed how [...]
How to make a ‘smorgasbord’ Budget more appetising for business November 24, 2025 If the Chancellor is incapable of making the bold tax reforms businesses need at the upcoming Budget, there are some smaller measures that would be beneficial, says Louise Hellem At the CBI we are urging the Chancellor to make bold moves on Wednesday and not to subject the economy to death by a thousand taxes. [...]
Bosses warn Reeves against ‘stop-start economy’ November 24, 2025 The boss of one of the UK’s largest industry groups has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to avoid taking measures that lock in the country’s “stop-start economy” in a pre-Budget speech ratcheting up pressure on the government to unleash growth. In a landmark speech on Monday, Rain Newton-Smith, the chief executive of the Confederation of [...]
Manufacturing output plummets at fastest pace since pandemic November 20, 2025 Manufacturing output in the three months to November dropped at the fastest pace since the pandemic, a new survey has found. Researchers at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that the balance reading for output volumes across industry was at the lowest level since the quarterly period to August 2020. The weighted balance reading [...]
Exclusive: Industry chiefs warn Reeves not to hit business after income tax U-turn November 14, 2025 The Chancellor must not rely on businesses to plug the gaping fiscal gap left by Thursday’s income tax U-turn, a group of industry body chiefs has warned a year after UK firms were forced to stomach much of the £40bn of tax hikes at Labour’s maiden Budget. In an unusual combined intervention, bosses from five [...]
Business chiefs tell Reeves to make ‘unpopular’ tax decision November 6, 2025 Business chiefs have urged Rachel Reeves to take a bolder approach at the Budget and consider “unpopular” decisions to break Labour Party manifesto commitments. Members across the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), one of the UK’s largest industry groups, have urged the Chancellor to focus on boosting investment and productivity for the long-haul. Business leaders [...]