By: Maurício Alencar

Politics and Economics Reporter Maurício Alencar is City AM’s Economics and City Reporter. He covers UK economics data ranging from inflation to immigration, as well as the Bank of England, the Treasury, business surveys, and all stories important or interesting to the City of London. He used to cover foreign news and sports at various publications – plus investigations, which he plans to continue to pursue.

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Minister tries to keep growth spirit alive amid bleak outlook

Politics

A government minister has moved to keep people’s optimism about the UK economy and spending afloat amid fears that interest rate hikes and a difficult Budget could dampen spirits. Several analysts, such as those at the research company GfK, have recorded a boost in consumer confidence in the months since Andy Burnham became PM. The UK [...]
Diesel ban: UK to be ‘even more exposed’ if Trump follows through on export threat

Energy

After Trump announced a ban on exports of diesel, Mauricio Alencar explores how it could impact the UK economy. President Trump’s newest trade threat sent markets into a frenzy once again on Friday. Earlier this week, Trump said he would back Republican proposals to halt exports of diesel in order to ease prices ahead of [...]
Interest rate hikes ‘increasingly likely’ despite debate over inflation risk

Economics

A Bank of England policymaker has suggested that an interest rate hike looks “increasingly likely” if energy prices remain higher for longer although officials struck a cautious tone on whether UK inflation would spiral over the next year. Speaking at an event in Warsaw, deputy governor Clare Lombardelli teased interest rate hikes as she said [...]

OBR chief: Public ‘have not lowered their expectations about what the state can do’

September 24, 2026

A top economist at the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has sent a warning on the effect more tax rises could have on growth and on the public’s expectations about “what the state can do for them”. Professor David Miles, who is one of three top members at the independent fiscal watchdog, said that the [...]
Founders should not be ‘put off’ by inheritance tax, says Treasury minister

September 24, 2026

A senior Treasury minister, while praising the state of the UK economy, has said entrepreneurs should not be “put off” by inheritance tax. Emma Reynolds, the chief secretary to the Treasury, on Thursday, at a visit to Numatic International, the makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, said entrepreneurs should not be “put off” by the [...]
Business versus the Budget: How a ‘dismal’ fiscal picture could disrupt Labour’s Party conference

September 24, 2026

As business chiefs look forward to the Labour Party conference and the ensuing Budget, Maurício Alencar explores how a difficult fiscal backdrop could disrupt meetings and undermine high expectations. In the months leading up to the Budget, hundreds of notes fly through the Treasury’s letterbox. Emails ping on officials’ phones. Lobbyists for academics, retailers, councillors, [...]
Tory welfare crackdown would ban benefit spending on alcohol and cigarettes

September 23, 2026

Scores of benefit claimants would receive their welfare payments on a ‘Back To Work’ card that bans spending on alcohol, cigarettes or betting under plans announced by the Conservatives. Under a new crackdown on the welfare system, unemployed people on benefits will see their payments fall by 30 per cent. Those who are on Universal [...]
Burnham ally Jim O’Neill: Debt costs are ‘increasingly crazy’ and triple lock must go

September 23, 2026

The cost to taxpayers of paying off the interest on UK government debt is “increasingly crazy”, according to a top economist who advised Andy Burnham. Lord Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs executive who advised Burnham in his run-up to Downing Street, told LBC that debit interest payments far outweighing the defence budget were “increasingly [...]
UK growth set to slow in 2027, OECD says

September 23, 2026

The UK economy will grow slower than expected next year as the effects of a long Iran war drag on activity, the world’s leading economic forecaster has said. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicted that the UK economy would grow by just one per cent next year, marginally down from a previous [...]
Reeves’ ‘ambitious’ £14bn savings plan leaves Healey with a Budget headache

September 23, 2026

Cost saving measures pencilled in by the last government have dramatically reduced Chancellor John Healey’s ability to look for spending cuts and efficiency gains at his first Budget, economists have warned, raising the prospect of fresh tax hikes. Healey is under pressure to rebuild his £23.6bn fiscal buffer, which is predicted to shrink due to [...]

Court fast-tracks Victoria’s Secret PINK brand clash with London shirtmaker

Manchester City face huge sanction after being found guilty of 114 charges

Two countries, one holiday: Turkey’s glitzy Bodrum and Greece’s unbuttoned Kos

By: Maurício Alencar

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