Reeves: Cutting ties with China would be ‘foolish’ April 19, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said it would be “foolish” to stop engaging with China. Reeves is due to hold talks with the US next week amid efforts to strike a trade deal, which the UK hopes can help soften the brunt of Donald Trump’s tariffs. There has been speculation that Washington may press the UK [...]
UK firms put the brakes on investment plans post tariffs, survey finds April 19, 2025 Three quarters of UK manufacturing and logistics firms are bracing for a hit from US tariffs, with many putting the brakes on investment plans in a blow to the Government’s growth ambitions, new data reveals. Larger businesses are more likely to be expecting a squeeze from new global trade policy, according to a survey carried [...]
Third of 18 to 21-year-olds ‘worry about money every day,’ says Santander April 19, 2025 More than a third (35 per cent) of Gen-Z adults aged 18 to 21 worry about their finances every day, according to research for a major bank. But only a fifth (20 per cent) of young adults said they would be interested in learning about debt management, the survey for Santander UK found. Just over [...]
Starmer and Trump discuss ‘ongoing and productive’ trade talks April 18, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump in the first call with the US President since he unveiled 10 per cent tariffs on all goods imported to America from the UK. The two leaders discussed the “ongoing and productive discussions” on trade between the two countries, a Downing Street spokesperson said. “The Prime Minister [...]
Easter getaway disruption expected on railways, roads and at Gatwick April 18, 2025 Millions of people are set to face disruption to their Easter travel plans this weekend due to major rail engineering works, strike action, heavy traffic and possible flooding. More than 300 engineering projects will be carried out by Network Rail across Britain between Good Friday and Easter Monday, prompting warnings for passengers to check their [...]
Reeves to hold talks with US as Trump says ‘no rush’ to strike deals April 18, 2025 Rachel Reeves has said she will hold talks with the White House next week amid efforts to strike a UK-US trade deal, despite Donald Trump downplaying the likelihood of any imminent agreements. Britain hopes a deal can help soften the brunt of the US president’s sweeping 10 per cent tariffs on all goods imported to [...]
Government’s privacy dispute with Apple ‘really strange’, expert says April 14, 2025 The government’s position in its privacy and encryption row with Apple is “really strange” and “doesn’t make sense”, an expert has said. Earlier this year, it was reported that the government had issued a notice under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, asking Apple for the ability to access data from Apple users. This was said [...]
Reynolds fails to confirm British Steel will get raw materials required April 13, 2025 The business secretary has declined to guarantee that British Steel will be able to secure enough raw materials in time to keep the Scunthorpe blast furnaces going. Jonathan Reynolds said he would not “make my situation or the nation’s situation more difficult” by commenting on specific commercial details, the day after taking emergency powers to [...]
WH Smith shareholders eye growth plans after sale of high street stores April 13, 2025 Investors in WH Smith will be keen for more details on its strategy after agreeing to sell its UK high street stores and the potential impact of US tariffs when the retail firm updates the market next week. It has been a busy start to 2025 for the historic retailer as it has pivoted to [...]
Reynolds issues guidance to British Steel after MPs back emergency law April 13, 2025 The business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has issued instructions to British Steel, using the emergency powers approved by Parliament on Saturday to save the Scunthorpe blast furnaces. A government source confirmed that Reynolds had given directions to the company following the extraordinary sitting of Parliament. But they declined to give details of those instructions, saying they [...]
