Quooker: Labour’s policies are hitting our growth May 12, 2025 The boss of instant hot water tap brand Quooker has branded the Labour government “less helpful than helpful” as its decisions are dampening confidence and curtailing investment. UK managing director Stephen Johnson has revealed that rising costs, low consumer confidence and a shrinking kitchen market are making expansion increasingly difficult despite Quooker seeing another 10 [...]
UK employer confidence falls to pandemic-era low May 12, 2025 Confidence among UK employers has fallen to lows seen only during the coronavirus pandemic as economic uncertainty over tariffs pile on top of rising costs for businesses. The number of UK employers expecting to increase headcounts over the next three months fell to the lowest outside of the pandemic, the latest survey of more than [...]
Rachel Reeves plans ISA review May 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning to launch a review of the ISA market in the coming weeks amid City calls to cap the amount that can be held tax-free in cash. The Treasury will kick-off a consultation to get a feel for views across the City of London on how to reform the ISA regime, [...]
This is why the UK’s tech tax still riles Washington May 9, 2025 The UK and US have trumped a new trade framework aimed at unlocking growth between the two allies, but one key irritant remains notably unresolved: Britain’s tech tax or Digital Services Tax (DST). The two per cent levy, introduced in 2020 under Boris Johnson, continues to rankle American officials, particularly because it disproportionately affects the [...]
Analysis: What is in the US-UK trade deal and what does it mean? May 8, 2025 The US administration has offered the UK its first trade deal since President Trump turned global trade on its head last month. The UK government will see the deal as a win, at least symbolically, while Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey hailed news of a trade deal as “excellent”. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said reducing [...]
Bolt: Uber rival appoints first UK boss May 8, 2025 Bolt, the Estonian ride-hailing platform, has appointed a new UK boss in a sign of its intention to double down on its second biggest market. Kimberly Hurd will join as the company’s first senior general manager for the UK, following stints in the fintech sector and at the Indian food delivery app Zomato. Top of [...]
What the Bank of England’s interest rate cut means for your mortgage May 8, 2025 The Bank of England has reduced rates by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25 per cent in a hotly anticipated cut that will leave homeowners with big decisions for their mortgage deals. The reduced cost for banks to borrow money will have broad implications for the mortgage market, as banks lower interest rates on loans. Major [...]
Week in Business: Why Britain needs reform May 8, 2025 In light of current difficulties and long-term challenges, the UK economy needs a dose of radical reform - but who will have that conversation?
Only radical thinking can break Britain out of its doom loop May 8, 2025 While the lucky few left Tuesday night’s City AM Awards with a gleaming trophy, the evening’s other takeaway came in the form of a stimulating and provocative speech by Andy Haldane. The former Bank of England Chief Economist said that two decades of economic and social shocks – from the financial crash and subsequent Euro [...]
Rachel Reeves to blame for UK’s economic uncertainty, report says May 7, 2025 Responsibility for the UK’s sluggish growth prospects should lie squarely with Rachel Reeves’ fiscal policy, Britain’s oldest independent economics research institute has said, as it warned tax rises left the economy in a “risky and vulnerable position.” A report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research pinned the economic uncertainty harming business confidence [...]