Manufacturing job cuts accelerate ahead of national insurance hike March 3, 2025 Activity in the UK’s manufacturing sector dropped to its lowest level in fourteen months, a new survey has revealed, with lower demand and weak confidence plaguing the industry. The S&P’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed downturns deepened as firms braced for changes made in the Government’s budget to be enacted. The index stood at [...]
Rugby referees get specialist insurance policy from Howden March 3, 2025 The first specialist insurance package for UK rugby referees has been launched by Howden and athlete wellbeing provider Player Support Services. The scheme costs £10 a month and promises referees policies customised for rugby officiating and swift diagnosis and treatment in the event of an injury. It is the brainchild of former ref Mike Mulroy, [...]
Spring Statement 2025: Rachel Reeves should be courageous and favour economics over ideology, says Interactive Investor boss March 3, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to be “quite courageous” and not “allow ideology to get in the way of economics” when she delivers her Spring Statement on 26 March, the chief executive of Interactive Investor has said. Richard Wilson, speaking on an up-coming episode of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered podcast, added that the government’s growth agenda [...]
Ministers expected to axe ‘right to switch off’ in coming week March 2, 2025 Ministers are expected to axe plans to give people a right to “switch off” outside work hours, reports have suggested. The policy was a central part of Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto promise of a “New Deal for Working People” aimed at strengthening employment rights. It did not appear in the Employment Bill which is currently [...]
‘Encouraging’ signs for UK economy as business confidence rebounds February 28, 2025 Business confidence rebounded rapidly in February, according to a new survey, with firms increasingly optimistic about the health of the economy.
Concern for British high street deepens with flat February sales February 28, 2025 Online shopping drove retail sales in February, offsetting flat in-store sales on the high street. In-store sales were lower in real terms in February, meaning that actual sales volumes shrank year on year, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. Total like-for-like sales grew by 2.3 per cent in February. Retailers faced particularly challenging [...]
Interest rates to fall to 3.5 per cent City firm predicts February 27, 2025 Paul Dales, chief UK economist at the City consultancy, said it was "very unusual" for the Bank of England to cut interest rates when inflation is expected to rise further even further above target.
Growth plan: Sadiq Khan wants to boost London economy by £100bn February 27, 2025 Sir Sadiq Khan unveiled his plan to “turbocharge” London’s economy, claiming it could boost the capital’s coffers by £107bn by 2035. The mayor unveiled what he’s called the London Growth Plan at Imperial College London’s campus, in a speech to council leaders, businesses and media. Sir Sadiq’s plan for the capital aims to put an [...]
What makes a great corporate mascot? February 27, 2025 As Duolingo retires then resurrects its owl, it’s clear that mascots are serious business, says Charlie Skinner First Duolingo retired its owl, then it brought it back from the dead. Publicity stunt? Well yes. And arguably quite an effective one. What’s for certain, though, is that brand mascots mean serious business. Used for millennia by [...]
Aldi to cut up to 350 jobs at UK headquarters February 27, 2025 Discount grocer Aldi is set to cut up to 350 roles at its UK headquarters in Atherstone, near Birmingham, as cost pressures bite. The changes will affect some buying department positions, including non-food, finance and some back-office functions, according to reports. Aldi joins Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in cutting jobs in the wake of October’s [...]