Government and business need a new deal to navigate today’s uncertainty October 28, 2024 By year end, over half of the world’s population will have participated in a national election.With so many voters going to the polls, and the potential for disruptive transitions, concernsabout widespread political uncertainty have been chipping away at economic sentiment formuch of 2024. Given the wider global economic and geopolitical headwinds, this uncertaintyrisks dragging much [...]
Labour’s pro-business boasts ring hollow October 28, 2024 Rachel Reeves once vowed that if Labour won they “would be the most pro-business government this country has ever seen”. With just two days to go until the Budget, that pre-election pledge appears to be in the gutter. Reassuring the business community was an essential part of Labour’s pitch for power, but almost everything they’ve [...]
Sky Bet: Profit slides as inflation and salary rises bite October 28, 2024 Profit at Sky Bet was slashed during its latest financial year as its operating expenses surged by almost £45m. The business behind the brand, which is owned by Flutter Entertainment, has reported a pre-tax profit of £48.9m for 2023, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. Its profit was hit because the firm’s operating expenses [...]
Mcdonald’s UK profit slashed by over £100m October 28, 2024 Profit at Mcdonald’s UK restaurants was slashed by more than £100m in 2023 despite its turnover taking a big stride towards the £2bn mark. The US fast food giant has reported a pre-tax profit of £66.3m for its UK operations, down from the £170.8m it achieved in 2022. Mcdonald’s operating profit was cut from £165.4m [...]
US and European interest rate cuts hang in the balance ahead of crunch week October 27, 2024 Key economic figures in the US and Europe are set to give investors clues on how much further both regions' central banks could go in cutting interest rates this year.
Chancellor to cut back Right to Buy discounts in Budget October 26, 2024 The Chancellor will cut back Right to Buy discounts as part of next week’s Budget to boost council housing supply. Rachel Reeves will announce plans to consult on a new five-year social housing rent settlement and to reduce Right to Buy, which allows tenants renting local authority-owned homes to buy them at a discounted rate, [...]
CMA launches legal action against Emma Group October 25, 2024 The UK's competition watchdog has launched legal proceedings against mattress seller Emma Group after finding "harmful online selling practices".
Consumers ‘despondent’ ahead of tax-hiking autumn Budget October 25, 2024 Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, placed the blame for the decrease squarely on the Budget.
Budget 2024: Warning pubs and breweries could face extra £310m bill October 25, 2024 Pubs and breweries could face an extra £310m bill after the Budget, an industry lobby group has warned. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that a hike in business rates and beer duty could leave Britain’s drinking spots struggling. Additional costs could stifle growth and threaten jobs, with some [...]
UK suffering from ‘vibecession’ ahead of the Budget, PwC says October 24, 2024 The firm's latest consumer sentiment survey dipped to -8 at the end of September, its lowest point this year.