As it happened: Stocks drop on Trump-Iran warning; Mahmood tipped to be chancellor July 16, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The UK has received fresh economic growth data this morning which has put GDP expansion at a sluggish 0.1 per cent for the month of May. The services sector – which contributes more than 80 per cent of total economic output – grew 0.3 per cent against steep [...]
OECD sounds alarm on pension triple lock in challenge to Burnham July 15, 2026 The world’s leading independent economic organisation has warned that reform of the triple lock on state pensions is “necessary to reduce fiscal risks”, in a challenge to Andy Burnham as he prepares to take over as Prime Minister. The OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, described the triple lock guarantee as “unusually generous [...]
UK economy tipped to stall as Iran war chokes growth July 12, 2026 The UK’s economy is expected to stall another month as the Iran war continues to choke growth and some industries face slowing output. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to have slipped again by 0.1 per cent in May, according to some economists. The UK’s growth update, delivered by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) [...]
UK economy’s growth revised down amid first-quarter spurt June 30, 2026 The UK economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first quarter of the year, the Office for National Statistics has confirmed, yet the final figure for growth last year was revised down slightly. The ONS said on Tuesday that the UK economy grew at a faster pace than many had expected at the beginning [...]
Economic benefit of Heathrow expansion slashed by 90 per cent June 20, 2026 Heathrow’s third runway could boost the UK economy by just 0.05 per cent, a 90 per cent loss of the economic benefit that had been previously forecast. The expansion of the UK’s biggest airport will boost GDP by 0.05 per cent at best but this impact could be as little as 0.3 per cent, government [...]
Starmer clings on as defence spending plan in disarray after resignations June 12, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership has been dealt another major blow as defence ministers quit the government over a lack of funding for security. It was confirmed on Friday that the Defence Investment Plan had still not yet been completed after months of wrangling and delays. But on Thursday, John Healey resigned as defence secretary in [...]
UK economy falters as deeper damage to growth to come June 12, 2026 The UK economy lost momentum in April, official data has revealed, as the energy price shock from the Iran war took its toll on businesses and consumers. The Office for National Statistics said GDP declined by 0.1 per cent in April. The services sector contracted by 0.2 per cent while manufacturing output did not post [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 rises as easing Iran tensions offset GDP blow; SpaceX set for blast off June 12, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Global equity investors are bracing for Musk’s record-breaking market debut SpaceX is set to begin trading on Nasdaq today after Elon Musk’s rocket, satellite and AI empire pulled off the largest IPO in market history. The company raised $75bn after pricing shares at $135, giving it a $1.77 [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 and Wall Street hit by stock sell-off; CBI cuts UK GDP June 9, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Rachel Reeves is staring down another bruising growth downgrade this morning after the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) slashed the UK’s GDP forecast to 1.1 per cent for the year. The figure is a drop from 1.4 per cent last year and below the previous consensus of 1.3 [...]
As it happened: Markets on high alert as Streeting calls on Starmer to resign May 14, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The past few days of political drama have to come to a head today and UK assets are bracing for a showdown. All eyes were on the bond market after Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary and called for a leadership contest. Gilt yields see-sawed yesterday as Sir [...]