UK economy set to cool as weak consumer confidence damages spending December 1, 2025 The UK economy is expected to cool in 2026, as the softening labour market and subdued consumer confidence caused a drop in household spending. The economy is set to slow 1.0 per cent next year, down from 1.4 per cent in 2025, according to the latest economic outlook from professional services firm KPMG. Meanwhile, unemployment [...]
FCA pressed to investigate Treasury over Budget briefings November 29, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority has been urged to wade into the row between the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility and investigate government briefings about a so-called £20bn fiscal hole. Scottish National Party leader Stephen Flynn urged the City regulator to investigate Reeves and other Downing Street officials over “deliberately false and misleading” briefings [...]
KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to RRE 17 Loan Management DAC (Reset) November 28, 2025 KBRA UK (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to five classes of refinancing notes and one loan issued by RRE 17 Loan Management DAC (Reset), a cash flow collateralised loan obligation (CLO) backed primarily by a diversified portfolio of Euro denominated corporate loans. RRE 17 Loan Management DAC is managed by Redding Ridge Asset Management (UK) LLP [...]
‘We’ve been lied to’: Hospitality in uproar over business rates overhaul November 28, 2025 A 5p reduction in business rates for hospitality and retail was held up by the Chancellor as a sign the government was listening to their concerns. But – writes Ali Lyon – as business owners calculated what it meant for their bottom line, they discovered that the devil was in the detail. It was supposed [...]
Reeves’ Budget tax hikes stopping Monsoon owner’s growth November 28, 2025 The owner of Monsoon and Accessorize has warned the tax rises introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves are forcing it to stop investing in its growth. Adena Brands, which is owned by Peter Simon, is “focusing on reducing our cost base over investing in growth” until it sees signs of strengthening consumer demand. The business added [...]
Business leaders fear more tax rises are on the way November 28, 2025 Businesses leaders are bracing for more tax rises even following another hefty cash raid from Rachel Reeves in her second Autumn Budget. Over two thirds of top bosses have said they fear business leaders will be targeted with more tax hikes even after the Chancellor raised taxes to the tune of £26bn on Wednesday. A [...]
Property market slows on uncertainty and high moving costs bite November 28, 2025 The number of houses changing hands in the UK slowed year on year in October due to budget uncertainty and the high cost of moving. UK residential transactions in October 2025 reached 98,450, 2 per cent lower than October 2024, according to HMRC. “Today’s transaction results show a mixed-bag… in the main we saw a [...]
Essensys founder explores takeover as company woes continue November 28, 2025 Essensys founder Mark Furness is exploring a potential takeover of the company, as it continues to run into financial challenges. Furness, who founded the software and technology company in 2006, has submitted a preliminary proposal to fully acquire the company, which would bring it back into private ownership just six years after completing its London [...]
How will the Budget impact your personal finances? November 27, 2025 It’s the day after Rachel Reeves’ crunch Budget, and while the Office of Budget Responsibility leak may be the main talking point, after months of speculation we finally know how personal finances will be impacted. As expected, Reeves extended income tax freezes and introduced a range of smaller taxes, in moves that are expected to [...]
Banks keep up their end of Rachel Reeves’ tax bargain November 27, 2025 The banking industry has given Rachel Reeves some much-needed ammunition as she attempts to defend her tax-heavy Autumn Budget. After being spared from a highly-anticipated cash grab, a fleet of banks announced a fresh pump of capital in the UK economy. Britain’s largest retail bank Lloyds Banking Group unveiled £35bn of new finance for 2026 [...]