UK economy stalls with 50,000 job losses ahead of Autumn Budget September 23, 2025 The UK economy was hit by a “litany of worrying news” in the three months to September with thousands of jobs lost ahead of Rachel Reeves’ second Autumn Budget. The latest ‘flash’ PMI from S&P Global showed business activity expectations for the year ahead slumped to a three-month low in September as firms braced for [...]
Autumn tax hikes would lead to inflation over five per cent ‘well into next year’ September 23, 2025 Food inflation will rise and remain above five per cent well into 2026 if the retail industry is hit by further tax rises at the Autumn Budget, a leading lobby group has warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said that the government risks ‘losing the battle’ against inflation if business rates on large shops rise [...]
Bitcoin to form part of central bank reserves ‘by 2030’ September 23, 2025 Bitcoin will “coexist with gold” on central bank balance sheets as soon as 2030, one of the world’s largest banks has predicted, as banks’ continued move away from the dollar and the cryptocurrency’s falling volatility boost its credentials as a reserve currency. Strategists at Deutsche Bank predicted that bitcoin “will join gold in many central [...]
Don’t rule out another rate cut this year September 23, 2025 Many are assuming the Bank of England will hold rates for the rest of the year. But scratch the surface and there is a case for another move before year-end, says Martin Beck Most analysts reckon the Bank of England is done cutting rates in 2025, a consensus reinforced by the Bank’s decision today to [...]
Brace for impact – the sorry state of the UK public finances September 23, 2025 Let’s be clear, staggering borrowing figures despite substantial tax rises are a direct result of excess spending, says Ewen Stewart When numbers become big they start to lose meaning. The latest public sector borrowing numbers published by the ONS are big. But let’s make no mistake, borrowing £18bn in one month has very great meaning. [...]
Cocoa price surge drives chocolate prices higher September 22, 2025 Surging cocoa prices are driving chocolate prices higher, which is having a disproportionate impact on UK food prices. UK food and drink inflation rose to 5.1 per cent in August, in a fifth consecutive annual increase and the highest since January 2024, amid fears that this figure could reach 5.7 per cent by the end [...]
Lavazza: Profit doubles amid ‘unprecedented’ price rises September 22, 2025 Profit at coffee brand Lavazza doubled in the UK during its latest financial year as it battled “intense pressure” on its supply chain and “unprecedented” price rises. The Uxbridge-headquartered division has posted a pre-tax profit of £3.2m for 2024, up from the £1.5m it achieved in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House also show [...]
Heinz: UK profit rockets despite ketchup and baked beans battles September 22, 2025 Profit has nearly doubled at the UK arm of Heinz despite “strong competition” from rivals to its sauces and beans categories. The London-headquartered division of the US giant has reported a pre-tax profit of £191.9m for 2024, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The total is up from the £104.1m it achieved in [...]
Without the right tax framework, UK will drive wealth creators away September 22, 2025 Lord Mayor Alastair King will welcome leading family offices to Mansion House this week to explore how Britain can channel its £3.9 trillion in investment assets into scaling businesses, upgrading infrastructure, and keeping the UK globally competitive. Later this week, I will welcome leading family offices from across the globe to the first ever Global Family [...]
‘Cash cow’ inheritance tax receipts edge higher as further changes loom September 19, 2025 Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts are on course for a record breaking year, as an increasing number of Brits brace themselves for further potential tax changes. According to the latest HMRC data, IHT receipts hit £3.7bn in the first five months of the 2025/26 tax year, continuing their two decade long upward trend. This is also [...]