Workplace absences at highest level in a decade September 26, 2023 Absences within the workplace are the highest they've been in a decade, according to a new report released today.
Scrapping HS2 could jeopardise all of our efforts to level up cities across the UK September 26, 2023 Scrapping the wholeof HS2 now would be an example of another famous characteristic of British statecraft: short term Treasury-driven decision making.
Lib Dems chase ‘blue wall’ voters by scrapping plan to raise income tax by 1p September 25, 2023 The Liberal Democrats have dropped their plans to raise income tax by 1p in a bid to woo Conservative voters in so-called blue wall seats during the cost of living crisis. Leader Sir Ed Davey told the BBC he ruled out tax rises even on the wealthiest as his party seeks to target former Tories [...]
Hunt’s mooted ISA reforms offer ‘a beacon of hope’ to struggling firms, business groups say September 24, 2023 Top City business groups have welcomed suggestions the Treasury could reform rules around ISAs in a bid to supercharge London-listed firms.
Miliband hits out at Sunak over net zero policy shift September 23, 2023 Rishi Sunak “does not give a damn” about climate change, Ed Miliband claimed following the Prime Minister’s decision to postpone a series of green policies. The shadow net zero secretary said Mr Sunak saw the drive to cut emissions as an obligation forced on him rather than an economic opportunity. Addressing the online conference of [...]
Retailers put all their chips on inflation cooling during golden Christmas run-up September 22, 2023 A better than expected inflation reading, and growing consumer confidence and sales, have offered a glimmer of hope for the UK’s retail sector, as they turn their focus to the vital Christmas trading months. According to today’s ONS figures, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall [...]
Bitcoin hash rate accelerating, and crypto is welcoming a change in the energy narrative September 22, 2023 Jason Deane takes the racing gloves off to get a finger on the pulse of the crypto industry over a week of contrasting narratives.
‘Recession increasingly likely’ as business output drops sharply under weight of higher interest rates September 22, 2023 A steep downturn in services saw economic activity contract at its fastest pace since the financial crisis – outside of the pandemic – raising the chances of a recession, a closely watched survey suggested. S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the UK economy came in at 46.8 – far below the 50 reading which [...]
Consumer confidence continues to rise amid cost-of-living woes September 22, 2023 Consumer confidence is continuing to rise against a backdrop of falling inflation – but many households are continuing to struggle with cost-of-living pressures, according to a survey. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased four points in September, but remains at a subdued minus 21. Expectations for the UK’s wider economy over the next 12 months [...]
Sunak’s hands off approach won’t make electric vehicles more affordable in 2035 September 22, 2023 The auto industry want to make the prohibitively expensive Tesla the outlier, they’re now doing it without the backing of government.