Octopus Energy: Profit slashed as Greg Jackson’s giant battles rising costs February 4, 2025 Profit has been slashed at Octopus Energy as rising costs and falling sales ate into its margin during the giant’s latest financial year. For the 12 months to 30 April, 2024, the group reported a net profit of £83m, down from the £203m it posted in the prior year. Its revenue also dipped from £12.54bn [...]
Businesses welcome Reeves’ growth agenda but what about the public? February 3, 2025 Rachel Reeves is talking a good game on growth, but Labour won’t be rewarded at the ballot box unless they can help ordinary people to feel better off, says Theresa Bischof Growth is in. And so too, is business apparently. Last week, Rachel Reeves and her growth brigade took a trip to Siemens in Witney [...]
Bank of England to cut interest rates as growth fears build February 3, 2025 Rate-setters are likely to signal a cautious approach for the remainder of the year given lingering price pressures in the economy.
Five graphs the Bank of England will assess before interest rate decision January 30, 2025 The Bank of England's first interest rate decision of 2025 will take place next week, and investors widely expect rate-setters to reduce borrowing costs for a third time.
Reeves confirms backing for Heathrow expansion but refuses to rule out new business taxes January 29, 2025 Rachel Reeves has confirmed the government’s backing for a third runway at Heathrow in a major speech on economic growth. The Chancellor addressed journalists, business leaders and cabinet ministers at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire on Wednesday morning. She said: “Heathrow is at the heart of the UK’s openness as a country, it connects us to [...]
‘Deregulation is essential’: Starmer vows to slash red tape in bid for growth January 29, 2025 Keir Starmer vowed to deregulate Britain and cut through “thickets of red tape” today as he tried to reboot his government’s handling of the economy following months of anaemic growth and criticism from business. In an article for the Times, the Prime Minister wrote “deregulation is essential” and warned investors were shunning the UK due [...]
Food prices set to rise ‘across the board’ as inflation fears build January 28, 2025 The BRC's shop price index showed that food prices rose 0.5 per cent month-on-month, up from 0.1 per cent in December
UK economy: Stagflation concerns persist after worrying week January 24, 2025 Data out this week suggested that concerns about stagflation have not yet fallen off the agenda.
Diageo shares surge amid Guinness sale rumour January 24, 2025 Diageo’s shares spiked to the top of the FTSE 100 today amid a rumour the company is looking to spin off or sell its most famous brand, Guinness, for up to £8bn. The transaction was first reported in a piece by Bloomberg, which said Diageo may be looking to review its portfolio to kickstart growth. [...]
Firms slash jobs and hike prices as Reeves’ Budget fallout continues January 24, 2025 UK businesses hiked prices and cut staff in January, a new survey shows, as firms continued to struggle in the wake of October’s Budget. The latest ‘flash’ purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which reflects business activity in the private sector, showed employment levels decreasing for the fourth month in a row. “Many firms suggested that the [...]