UK companies cut jobs at fastest rate in nearly 4 years December 16, 2024 The private sector cut jobs at the fastest rate for nearly 4 years in December as firms respond to new tax rules announced in the Budget. The latest S&P Global Flash UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) found that while the headline figure for business confidence was unchanged from November, thanks to a marginal increase in [...]
Car insurers set to return to profit following record losses December 16, 2024 A report from accountancy giant EY estimates car insurers paid out 93p in claims and expenses for every £1 made in premiums in 2024.
Cook: ‘Upmarket ready meal business is like a 27-year game of Monopoly’ December 16, 2024 Upmarket ready meal maker Cook has compared its financial position to a near-three decade long game of Monopoly as it hailed being in “the best shape it has been in for a long while”. The Kent-headquartered business said that it if the firm was a 27-year game of Monopoly, “we would now be in a [...]
‘Hammer blow’: Family firms call for inheritance tax consultation December 16, 2024 Family businesses are urging the government to consult on changes to inheritance tax (IHT), warning the move represents a “hammer blow” to the UK economy. Some 160,000 family-owned firms – represented by 32 trade associations – have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to request a formal consultation on IHT changes in the Budget. The letter, [...]
Bank of England set to hold interest rates after inflation jump December 16, 2024 The Bank of England is poised to leave interest rates on hold this week after inflation rose more than expected.
UK inflation expected to rise again in fresh blow to Labour December 16, 2024 Official data this week is expected to show inflation moved further away from the Bank of England's two per cent target in November, dealing another blow to the government after a contraction in GDP.
Growth is easier to destroy than to build December 16, 2024 Missions, milestones, foundations and pledges; Keir Starmer has unveiled them all since winning the election in July, but no amount of visionary rhetoric can compel an economy to grow. Since Labour’s election victory the British economy has whimpered to a halt. GDP flatlined in July and achieved a barely perceptible nudge up in August before contracting [...]
A requiem for UK equity capital markets December 14, 2024 London’s storied status as a global financial powerhouse is slipping away, and with every IPO that doesn’t materialise or company that decamps to the US, it becomes clearer that the City is in its death throes, says Owen Matthews As a former mid-cap ECM investment banker, I’ve watched with despair as the lights dim on [...]
Crowdcube: Turnover falls by half as losses continue December 13, 2024 Turnover at funding platform Crowdcube fell by half during its latest financial year as it continued to lose money, it has been revealed. The London-headquartered business has reported a turnover of £7.5m for 2023, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The new figure comes after Crowdcube posted a turnover of £14.4m for the 15 [...]
Currys reports £32m Budget tax hit December 12, 2024 Consumer electronics retailer Currys has become the latest company to warn about the impact of Labour’s tax raid on its bottom line. In its half-year results for the six months to 26 October 2024, published this morning, management said the estimated cost of recent tax policy changes could amount to as much as £32m. The [...]