Tax hikes on the cards as Rachel Reeves tries to save her fiscal rules January 13, 2025 “Public services now need to live within their means,” Rachel Reeves told a room full of business leaders at the CBI’s annual summit in November, “because I’m really clear, I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.” The Chancellor’s comments were designed to strike a reassuring tone to the private sector and settle [...]
UK housebuilders to shed light on property market amid Government targets January 12, 2025 Some of the UK’s biggest housebuilders will say whether demand is picking up in the property market after a prolonged slump, as the Government prepares to overhaul planning rules. London-listed construction groups Persimmon, Vistry and Taylor Wimpey will all provide trading updates next week. Persimmon, which will give an update on its fourth-quarter trading on [...]
Half of people with housing costs ‘starting 2025 worried about home or finances’ January 11, 2025 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld two complaints about the video, one saying it glamorised smoking and another about it not being clearly marked as an “ad”.
Rachel Reeves says fiscal rules ‘non-negotiable’ during bid to boost ties with China January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves vowed to stand by her “non-negotiable” fiscal rules, as her mission to China was overshadowed by further turbulence in the gilt markets. Visiting bicycle-maker Brompton’s flagship Beijing store on Saturday, the Chancellor declined to give a running commentary on the financial markets in the UK, but said the rules she set for herself [...]
Rachel Reeves to raise Ukraine and Hong Kong human rights on China trip January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves is expected to raise Russia’s war in Ukraine and issues of human rights in Hong Kong during her trip to China. The Chancellor is visiting Beijing for the first UK-China economic and financial dialogue since 2019, with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and top financial services figures. Ministers are insisting the trip [...]
Rachel Reeves or Liz Truss: Who really ‘crashed the economy’? January 10, 2025 Amid UK bond market turmoil, how does Reeves' budget compare to Truss' - and who is really responsible for 'crashing the economy'?
Rachel Reeves eyeing spending cuts in spring January 10, 2025 Rachel Reeves is considering cutting departmental spending as UK borrowing costs soar, despite risks it could “dampen” activity and “further dent anaemic” growth. The Chancellor is said to be eyeing further reductions to unprotected government departments’ budgets after she ruled out additional tax rises or more borrowing to avoid breaking her fiscal rules following the [...]
What’s behind the bond market turmoil? January 9, 2025 Although the jitters had calmed somewhat by Thursday afternoon, traders will be on high alert over the coming days.
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer over economy crash claims January 9, 2025 Liz Truss has sent a cease and desist letter to Keir Starmer demanding he stops claiming she crashed the economy. Lawyers acting on behalf of the former Prime Minister wrote that the statement is “false and defamatory”, in a letter to Starmer in which they threatened to pursue legal action if he keeps making the [...]
De La Rue: Bank of England supplier’s stock surges on takeover offer January 9, 2025 Bank of England supplier De La Rue has received a £246m takeover offer, according to reports, sending its stock price surging more than 12 per cent. The banknote printer has been offered 125p a share in a conditional offer, roughly 25 per cent higher than its stock price before the news, by companies founded by [...]