Bank of England interest rate cut ‘almost certain’ after poor growth Economics Fresh growth figures have fuelled speculation of an August interest rate cut in a bid to give the waning UK economy a shot of life. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed on Friday the UK economy shrunk for the second consecutive month with a 0.1 per cent contraction in May. Deutsche Bank’s chief economist [...]
Rachel Reeves risks ‘serious damage’ with tax hikes, OBR member warns Economics Fears of another Rachel Reeves’ tax raid are growing after fresh figures revealed the economy shrank in May, but a member of the OBR has warned the Chancellor against drastic measures, including tax hikes. The Chancellor is facing renewed pressure, with economists warning that the government’s £190bn spending splurge, sporadic U-turns, and poor growth figures are set [...]
UK economy contracts 0.1 per cent in blow to Rachel Reeves Economics Rachel Reeves’ waning growth agenda has been dealt another blow after the UK economy contracted 0.1 per cent in May. The Chancellor has endured a bruising few weeks after government U-turns and spending splurges have cut into the fiscal headroom she outlined in the Autumn. Fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics have confirmed [...]
Non-dom tax grab could blow £4bn hole in public finances July 11, 2025 The government’s decision to abolish the non-dom regime will blow a £4bn hole in the public finances and lead to over 3,000 fewer jobs if a quarter of the country’s wealthy foreigners leave. According to a fresh study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), non-doms choosing to leave the UK instead of [...]
Third sector warns wealth tax will hit philanthropy July 11, 2025 A wealth tax of the sort reportedly being considered by the government would leave a multibillion-pound hole in charities’ finances and jeopardise the work they are able to carry out, third sector bosses and economists have warned. According to John Canady, chief executive of the National Philanthropic Trust UK, the rumoured levy targeted at households [...]
What do civil servants really think about the state? July 11, 2025 Civil servants feel stifled by cumbersome processes, weak talent progression and ineffective procurement, according to a new survey that casts doubt on the government’s ability to deliver on the transformative “missions” it’s promised, says Joe Hill The Government took office a year ago pledging to change the country with five big “missions”. This approach was [...]
Wealth tax would be ‘own goal’, London bosses warns July 10, 2025 The introduction of a wealth tax on Brits would yield less revenue for the government and drive investors overseas, bosses across London have warned. Keir Starmer this week refused to answer questions on whether the government was considering a wealth tax, which was mooted by former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock last weekend. But business [...]
Week in Business: The tragedy of Labour’s tax addiction July 10, 2025 From the housing market to the stock exchange, some taxes need to be reformed or reduced - but this government only wants to hike rates.
Just 871 affordable homes built in London since 2021 July 10, 2025 The number of affordable homes underway in the capital has fallen far short of expectations as tight regulations and cost pressures make sites unviable. The Greater London Authority has so far completed 871 homes under the 2021-2026 Affordable Homes Programme (AHP), according to its annual housing report. This is just over five per cent of [...]
Greenergy biodiesel plant do shut down in latest industrial strategy blow July 10, 2025 One of Britain’s biggest biodiesel plants is preparing to shut down in the latest blow to the government’s industrial strategy. The Greenergy plant in Lincolnshire, which is thought to produce as much as a quarter of the UK’s biodiesel, on Thursday confirmed it would begin consultation on a proposal to cease production. Greenergy said its [...]