UK economy shrinks more than expected in blow to Reeves June 12, 2025 The UK economy shrank more than expected in April, official data has shown, suggesting momentum built up in the beginning of this year has already worn away. New figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a 0.3 per cent contraction come off the back of a strong 0.7 per cent growth in [...]
Bank Aston to be first locally licensed Guernsey bank in 30 years June 12, 2025 Bank Aston has secured a banking licence from the Guernsey regulator that will make it the first locally licensed bank in the jurisdiction within 30 years. Bank Aston positions itself as a specialist provider for offshore trustees, investment funds, and family offices, which are key sectors in the Channel Islands’ financial services industry. The firm [...]
Will Reeves’ spending review make UK housing more affordable? June 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves has made housebuilding a central feature of the government’s spending policy. The planning system has been reformed, money has been funnelled into skills and developing brownfield housing, and new towns have been announced. But this afternoon’s spending review has firmly set out the government’s commitments for the sector, and affordable regional housing is [...]
Worrying jobs figures show Labour’s Britain is heading for stagflation June 11, 2025 Staggering rises in unemployment are a result of government polices that prevent businesses creating new jobs, and will ultimately condemn Britain’s economy to low growth and high inflation, says Matthew Elliott Today’s employment figures from the ONS must serve as a wake-up call to the government that their economic agenda is running adrift. We have [...]
Reeves vows to ‘renew’ Britain as Tories say it’s just ‘borrow and spend’ June 10, 2025 Rachel Reeves is expected to focus on regional growth as she unveils £113bn in capital investment as part of her Spending Review on Wednesday. The Chancellor will outline some of the government’s key priorities and will pledge investment aimed at ensuring “people can see a doctor when they need one, know that they are secure [...]
FTSE 100 narrowly misses record high after housebuilders rally June 10, 2025 The FTSE 100 closed just short of a record high on Tuesday after fresh economic data fuelled hopes of further interest rate cuts from the Bank of England. The UK’s flagship market inched up 0.24 per cent to 8853.08p after a rally from homebuilders. This narrowly missed March’s record close of 8,871.31p. Builders Persimmon and [...]
Unemployment creeps up as firms cut jobs following Reeves tax raid June 10, 2025 The unemployment rate has crept up to 4.6 per cent from 4.5 per cent, official data has revealed, putting Chancellor Reeves’ ambition of growing the UK economy and getting people into work under threat. It is the highest unemployment rate in three years, with the UK economy then recovering from the pandemic. Figures released by [...]
Exclusive: Nikhil Rathi’s FCA is ready to go on the offensive June 10, 2025 Nikhil Rathi’s first five-year term at the helm of the FCA was dominated by difficult situations – most beyond his control, some firmly in it. But after being reappointed by Rachel Reeves in April, and with the added pressure of a new growth mandate from government, he outlines to Ali Lyon what he hopes his [...]
UK GDP growth expected to slide after Awful April June 10, 2025 The UK economy is expected to have contracted in April as the double whammy of tax hikes and higher energy prices help reverse the 0.7 per cent growth gains seen in the first three months of the year. A Bloomberg poll of economists said City analysts are pencilling in a 0.1 per cent reduction to [...]
Slower April wage growth to feed into interest rate cut hopes June 9, 2025 An expected drop in wage growth in April compared to the previous month could encourage Bank of England officials to vote for further interest rate cuts this year, leading analysts have suggested. Labour market data for April, which is due to be published on Tuesday morning, is set to reveal wage growth has cooled while [...]