Productivity growth twitchy in wake-up call for OBR and Reeves November 13, 2025 Productivity levels stuttered in the third quarter of the year, an initial estimate has shown, subverting the Chancellor’s hopes of boosting output in the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday morning that quarterly growth in output per hour rates was 0.7 per cent, the highest level since the end of [...]
UK economy barely grows in third quarter November 13, 2025 The UK economy grew at a more sluggish pace than expected in the third quarter of the year amid a pervasive sense of gloom across the country ahead of the Budget. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there was 0.1 per cent GDP growth between July and September, triggering fears among City analysts that [...]
Business leaders bemoan Budget uncertainty as tax hikes loom November 13, 2025 Business leaders up and down the country have poured scorn on the Chancellor after months of Budget uncertainty damaged consumer confidence and forced firms to hold off key investment decisions. Scores of chief executives, from retail to hospitality to telecoms and manufacturing, have voiced their concern over the lack of a clear fiscal plan after [...]
Starmer promised a calmer politics – how’s that working out? November 13, 2025 They say that if you’re explaining, you’re losing. That quote, attributed to Ronald Reagan, came to mind yesterday as I watched Keir Starmer squirm his way through howls of laughter in the House of Commons as he insisted “we are a united team.” This was fish in a barrel stuff for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, [...]
Reeves’ £28bn wealth fund under fresh scrutiny November 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ flagship National Wealth Fund has come under scrutiny after an audit identified “weaknesses” in the multi-billion pound vehicle’s risk controls. An audit of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) pointed to potential failures in the effectiveness of risk, management, governance and internal controls. Whilst the findings from the report confirmed “improvements have taken place”, [...]
Reeves and Starmer are now at the mercy of the markets November 13, 2025 A government elected on competence and stability may now gamble both to stave off internal revolt. For investors, the message is that British politics has not regained the calm that markets briefly hoped for, says Helen Thomas The markets once again have a starring role on the stage of political intrigue. Allies of the Prime [...]
Starmer under fire over No 10 briefings against Streeting November 12, 2025 Keir Starmer attempted to distance himself from anonymous attacks made by senior Downing Street officials against health secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday night, though he defended his “united team” working at Number 10. In an awkward Prime Minister’s Questions for Starmer, the Prime Minister said briefings against Cabinet ministers were “unacceptable”. He said he backed [...]
Brits don’t believe this is a country that rewards hard work November 12, 2025 What conversations are you having at work, at home, in the pub? There’s plenty to talk about, from Traitors (BBC good?) to trust in public broadcasting (BBC bad?) to say nothing of football, Remembrance Day, the weather and Christmas. Looking beyond these topics, is it possible to discern the national mood? Do we feel that [...]
Unemployment rate surges to 5 per cent November 11, 2025 The UK unemployment rate has surged to a post-pandemic high in further signs the jobs market has struggled to bounce back, amid interest rate cuts and adjustments to last year’s tax raid on employers. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the unemployment rate had hit 5 per cent as there were 32,000 fewer payrolled [...]
Brits confidence in European economy outpaces UK as Budget fears grow November 11, 2025 Brits have admitted to having more confidence in the strength of the European and global economy than the UK as Budget fears consume the country. Fresh Barclays research has revealed Brits confidence in the European economy has ranked above the UK for the tenth consecutive month. Of the 2,000 surveyed, 22 per cent had faith [...]