UK economy dubbed ‘stagflation-lite’ as Starmer talks up ‘patriotic’ growth mission September 9, 2025 The UK economy is not expected to have recorded any growth in the month of July as leading analysts suggest that a lack of clarity over Labour’s future policies are hitting firms – despite a call from the prime minister for ministers to take on a “patriotic duty” to drive growth. Rachel Reeves and Keir [...]
University students lack basic financial knowledge, research finds September 9, 2025 Incoming university students lack basic understanding and knowledge of personal finance, leaving them at risk of running out of money, new research has found. Nearly 50 per cent of young adults felt stressed about their financial situation ahead of starting Higher Education, while four in ten didn’t feel at all prepared financially, according to retail [...]
FCA: ‘Large number of consumers’ wronged in motor finance deals September 9, 2025 The UK’s financial watchdog is gearing up for an industry-wide redress scheme on the historic motor finance scandal where huge swathes of customers could be eligible for compensation. Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, said there was “evidence that there have been unfair relationships between lenders and their consumers” and that a [...]
Rachel Reeves’ tax raids drag UK to world’s worst hiring slump September 9, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax raids on employers have continued to harm the economy with fresh figures showing the UK had the worst hiring slump across the globe. The UK suffered the biggest global drop in year-on-year planned hiring, contracting 17 percentage points. Singapore, Hungary and Finland, which followed, all contracted nine per cent, according to [...]
Live: Gold hits new high amid global uncertainty September 9, 2025 UK equity markets appear poised for a lower open this morning, following the US markets’ overnight decline. However, the NASDAQ index of tech stocks reached a new all-time high yesterday and so did the price of gold, which continues to head higher on speculation the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further throughout the rest [...]
Budget: More than sport at stake when it comes to betting tax hikes September 9, 2025 Today marks my first anniversary as chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council. It’s a privilege to represent an industry that contributes billions to the economy and plays such an integral role in British sport and culture. But it’s also a moment of real jeopardy for our sector, and for the sports and communities [...]
Starmer’s new team faces same old problem September 9, 2025 Good news from Downing Street as we’re told that economic growth is back on the agenda. Keir Starmer’s revamped cabinet meets for the first time today and the prime minister will apparently tell this bright new team to “step up a gear” and focus on the economy. The briefings that accompanied the wave of new [...]
Brits resort to ‘job-hugging’ as tax hikes bite September 9, 2025 Workers are now resorting to ‘job-hugging’ after last year’s Labour tax raid had a chilling impact on the UK jobs market. The £40bn cash grab, unveiled by Rachel Reeves in last year’s Autumn Budget, has triggered a significant slowdown in hiring and has resulted in substantial job losses nationwide. As a result of these changes, [...]
Investors focus on securing family’s financial future ahead of tax changes September 9, 2025 UK investors are prioritising passing on their wealth to family members in order to avoid the damage of looming tax raids, fresh research has found. Over 50 per cent of people approaching retirement ranked passing on wealth as a top priority, up from 32 per cent in 2023, according to a survey from BRI wealth [...]
Firms are needlessly ‘gold plating’ Consumer Duty rules, FCA policy director says September 9, 2025 Scores of wholesale financial services firms are needlessly “gold plating” their compliance with Consumer Duty rules, the financial watchdog’s policy chief has claimed, as the regulator pushes back over concerns the rules have become too burdensome for businesses. Charlotte Clark, director of cross-cutting policy and strategy at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), admonished companies who [...]