Trump removes jobs data official after employment report August 2, 2025 President Donald Trump has removed the head of the agency that produces monthly jobs figures for the US after a report showed hiring slowed in July and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported. Trump, in a post on his social media platform, alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons [...]
Rolls-Royce: FTSE 100 giant raises profit guidance after £1bn boost July 31, 2025 Rolls-Royce has raised its profit guidance after a “strong start to the year” which saw its revenue surge by almost £1bn. The FTSE 100 giant has reported an underlying pre-tax profit of £1.68bn for the first six months of its financial year, up from the £1.03bn it posted for the same period in 2024. New [...]
‘Responsible landlords’ urged to stay in the private housing market July 31, 2025 The UK’s landlord association has urged landlords to remain within the country’s private housing sector, warning that their exit could lead to a ‘disastrous’ outcome for tenants. Arguing that private landlords selling up is a direct cause of homelessness, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said that “responsible landlords” need to stay in the market [...]
UK business confidence highest in 10 years, Lloyds Bank says July 31, 2025 UK business confidence is at its highest level in 10 years as the service sector saw the biggest jump in optimism month-on-month, according to Lloyds Bank. Firms were more optimistic for the third consecutive month, with the rise driven by improved trade prospects and an improved economic outlook. Lloyds’ survey suggested hiring intentions had also [...]
Industry chief warns fresh tax grab will push ‘loved’ retailers to the wall July 31, 2025 More of Britain’s “well-loved” retailers will go to the wall if the government unleashes another round of tax hikes on businesses in the Autumn, the boss of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned, as fresh data from the body found that nearly nine in 10 high street bosses are struggling with the tax burden. [...]
Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget still causing negativity – CBI July 30, 2025 A streak of negative business sentiment has now lasted 10 months, a leading industry body has suggested, in further evidence that employers have struggled to turn a page on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £40bn tax raid at last year’s Autumn Budget. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly told MPs that business confidence was edging higher, [...]
Bank of England officials set to clash on interest rates July 30, 2025 Bank of England policymakers are set to spar on whether to hold or cut interest rates as City analysts are expecting a three-way split in the final vote. The Bank saw a 6-3 vote in favour of holding interest rates at 4.25 per cent in June while the meeting before in May saw four dissenting [...]
SME Construction data casts doubt on UK ability to hit 1.5 million homes July 29, 2025 The number of struggling construction firms has risen further despite heavy pressure on the sector to deliver hundreds of thousands of new homes. The number of firms in critical distress – a measure of firms nearing bankruptcy – rose 15.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, according to Begbies Traynor, while the number [...]
Aston Martin: Why going private could be the right road for luxury carmaker July 29, 2025 Luxury carmaker Aston Martin could delist from the London Stock Exchange and return to private ownership as a way to boost its balance sheet, according to an analyst. Experts at Third Bridge have said the move could have a number of benefits for the Warwickshire-headquartered brand including “improve agility, attract long-term partners, and reduce the [...]
Greggs shuts 56 stores amid ‘challenging start’ to the year July 29, 2025 Greggs has shut more than 50 stores in the first half of 2025 after reporting a “challenging start” to the year. The number of closures without relocation is up 61 per cent compared to the same period last year, while the number of net new shops opening is down 40 per cent to 31, in [...]