Pound sterling suffers as traders pare bets on Fed rate cuts January 13, 2025 The sell-off comes after a bruising week for UK assets last week, with sterling falling over three per cent and gilt yields picking up to the highest levels in decades.
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 CFOs set to cut hiring and slash investment following Budget January 13, 2025 Finance chiefs at UK businesses are focused on cutting costs in the wake of the Budget, with investment and hiring set to suffer as a result. Over half (52 per cent) of CFOs surveyed by Deloitte said cost reduction was a strong priority for their business in the wake of the Chancellor’s tax raid. The [...]
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 [...]
Property analysts forecast strong spring as stamp duty deadline looms January 10, 2025 Activity in the UK’s property market closely followed government policies on tax last year, something set to continue as the reality of the stamp duty deadline sinks in for first-time buyers. Real estate experts have predicted a burst of activity in early spring ahead of the end of stamp duty relief for first homes, which [...]