13 h. ago After the economy shrinks again, summer rate cut 'looks inevitable'

Experts said that, combined with signs of a deteriorating jobs market, it would add further pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates.

Economics

16 h. ago Rachel Reeves’s growth mission is struggling to get off the ground

Editorial: The chancellor is said to be ‘disappointed’ after the UK economy unexpectedly shrank for the second month in a row in May, as well she might be

Events

23 h. ago Voices: The economy has shrunk yet again – but it’s not all doom and gloom...

The hangover from Trump’s tariffs at the start of the year is proving tougher to shake than expected, writes James Moore – but there is a slight silver lining

Economics

23 h. ago Rachel Reeves says May’s fall in GDP is ‘disappointing’; Trump tariffs knock markets – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

25 h. ago Reeves ‘disappointed’ after UK economy unexpectedly shrinks for second month in a row

It followed a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, when US president Donald Trump announced tariffs

Politics

25 h. ago Rachel Reeves says GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

26 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

27 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month running – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatlining growth in May highlights the ongoing pressures facing the UK ec...

Economics

27 h. ago UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel Reeves

May’s fall in GDP fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and constructionAnalysis: Fall in UK GDP puts focus back on expectations of tax rises in autumn budgetBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s economy unexpectedly shrank in May, fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and construction, in a blow for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, amid speculation over tax increases.The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product fell by 0.1% in May, missing City predictions of a 0.1% monthly expansion. Continue reading...

Politics

27 h. ago 'Ticking tax timebomb' warning as UK economy shrinks 0.1% in May in fresh blow to Rachel Reeves

The City had expected a 0.1% rise in GDP

Events

28 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month in a row after unexpected slump in May

It followed a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, when US president Donald Trump announced tariffs

Politics

28 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month running in May – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayThe pound has dropped against the US dollar, as investors react to this morning’s worse-than-expected GDP report.Sterling has lost a third of a cent to $1.354, a drop of 0.2%.“The economy contracted slightly in May with notable falls in production and construction, only partially offset by growth in services. However, across the latest three months as a whole, the economy still grew. This reflected strength earlier in the year that resulted, in part, from some activity being brought forward to February and March.“May’s fall in production was driven by oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Morrisons sun cream spray fails safety tests as Which? ranks best sunscreens

Which? tested 15 different sun creams to rate the best sunscreen to protect your skin this summer. Two products, one from Morrisons and the other from Ultrasun, failed their test

Events

4 w. ago Slump fears fuel summer interest rate cut hopes as figures show economy shrank by 0.3% in April

Experts said the setback added weight to the case for a reduction in August. Rate-setters meet next week but few think a cut will come that soon.

Politics

4 w. ago UK’s FTSE 100 share index hits record closing high despite economy shrinking in April – business live

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumped.. but FTSE 100 ends at new record closeFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, t...

Economics

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves hit with headache after economy shrinks amid fresh fears of tax hikes

The Office for National Statistics said the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April. Meanwhile, experts are warning that council tax bills will rise following Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review

Economics

4 w. ago Tax rises will come if economy shrinks further, IFS warns Rachel Reeves after Spending Review

The Spending Review delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves has had a mixed response.

Events

4 w. ago Largest ever plunge in UK exports to US as Trump tariffs hurt growth; dollar hits three

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumpedFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, to allow still troubling earnings growth ...

Politics

last month Tax hikes will come if economy shrinks any further, IFS warns Rachel Reeves

In a scathing assessment, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggested the Treasury was at times ‘making up the numbers’

Events

last month Rachel Reeves fails to rule out future tax rises as economy shrinks

However, the Chancellor repeated her promise that she would not need to increase taxes on the same scale as last year.

Economics