Big Four UK: 900 redundancies and counting over 2024 December 5, 2024 Over 900 roles were made redundant at the UK Big Four firms over 2024, as the accountancy giants lit up the headlines for a second year running
Festive period off to a ‘bad start’ for retail sector as sales drop December 3, 2024 The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) sales monitor showed that sales volumes fell 3.3 per cent in the year-to-November, compared to a 2.3 per cent increase last year.
EY to cut 150 UK consultants as division head steps down December 1, 2024 Big Four accountancy firm EY is set to cut 150 roles in its UK consultancy division and replace one of its most senior executives amid a slowdown in demand. Cuts in the 4,700-strong unit are expected to impact managers, senior managers and directors, it is understood, which are the highest-paid roles below partner level. Meanwhile, [...]
UK mortgage approvals rose to more than two-year high before Budget November 29, 2024 UK lenders approved the most mortgages in more than two years last month as Britain’s housing market proved resilient ahead of the new government’s first Budget. Banks and building societies gave the green light to 68,300 loans for house purchase in October, according to data from the Bank of England. That figure is the highest [...]
Ofgem: Energy price cap to rise by £21 to £1,738 a year on average November 22, 2024 The UK’s energy price cap is set to rise by £21 for an average household, taking a standard yearly bill to £1,738, Ofgem has said. The energy regulator opted to announce a 1.2 per cent hike in the cap for the period January to March 2025 – or £1.75 a month, on average. It sets [...]
Post-Budget consumer confidence rises in golden quarter boost November 22, 2024 A leading confidence survey has found that consumer sentiment rose in November, which will come as a relief to businesses dependent on a good golden quarter to boost margins ahead of tax rises next year. All five measures of confidence rose, although major purchase intentions led the pack with a five-point jump. “There was evidence [...]
Spike in PwC partners taking early retirement amid Big Four slowdown November 21, 2024 A larger-than-usual number of partners at PwC are choosing to step down at the end of this year, as the Big Four accountant looks to boost its performance amid slowing growth. The financial services giant’s 1,030 partners learned earlier this week that several dozen of their colleagues would be taking early retirement, after new UK [...]
What Trump 2.0 means for the tax bills of UK businesses November 20, 2024 Tariffs, investment and deglobalisation: KPMG tax expert Tim Sarson takes us through what Trump's second presidency means for UK businesses.
Has Rachel Reeves talked the UK economy into a downturn? November 15, 2024 The economy expanded just 0.1 per cent in the three months to September, below expectations and down from a 0.5 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.
Bosses believe WFH will come to an end – wishful thinking? November 13, 2024 Given the City of London is a major destination for commuters (especially those working in professional services) the new rhythm of hybrid working is perhaps more visible in the Square Mile than elsewhere. Generally speaking, Mondays seem a little thin while Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays feel busier than ever. Fridays remain somewhat subdued. On the [...]