25 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Trump’s attack on Fed is ‘a serious danger’ – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Politics

27 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Profits surge at Royal Mail – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Economics

28 h. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

28 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEuropean Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has weighed in on the crisis in France, saying that any risk of a government falling in the euro zone is “worrying”.Speaking to broadcaster Radio Classique, Lagarde said France is not currently in a situation that would need the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to intervene. Continue reading...

Economics

29 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house price drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNationwide also expects income growth to continues to outpace house price growth.That would mean that housing affordability should continue to improve, if gradually.Borrowing costs are likely to moderate a little further if Bank Rate is lowered again in the coming quarters.This should support buyer demand, especially since household balance sheets are strong and labour market conditions are expected to remain solid. Continue reading...

Economics

50 h. ago Apple fans rushing for iPad Air bargain as price drops from £199 to £59

The bargain is only available for a limited time as Wowcher cuts the price by £140

Economics

2 d. ago Sky's newest Apple MacBook deal drops the price to 66p per day

Those in the market for a new laptop can avail Sky’s fantastic 66p per day deal on the 256GB Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch M4 (2025) model that comes in four stunning colours

Economics

4 d. ago War film hailed as 'best movie of the decade' now streaming on Apple TV

Christopher Nolan's epic war film Oppenheimer is now available to stream on Apple TV, and fans have been flocking online to share their thoughts on the ambitious historical drama

Culture

4 d. ago Shoppers leave Sky for 'easy to use' TV recorder that lets you watch telly for free

Argos has dropped a premium Freeview box down to its 'lowest ever' price and shoppers are making the switch.

Politics

5 d. ago 'Best Apple Watch ever made' plummets from £250 to under £100 in lesser

Apple fans keen to secure an Apple Watch that can keep up with their daily demands, without the hefy price tag, won't want to miss out on this lesser-known offer that's slashed this model to under £100

Economics

5 d. ago BaByliss hair straighteners drop to lowest ever price in huge Amazon deal

These BaByliss straighteners have never been cheaper – and Amazon shoppers are snapping them up fast in this limited-time deal.

Economics

5 d. ago Boden drops the price of dress that 'can be worn on holiday or in the office' by £41

"The midi dress that goes to every place, from holiday trip to a day in the office. Perfect fit and soft fabric"

Economics

5 d. ago Argos drops Apple Watch Ultra 2 to 'lowest ever' price with £200 discount

'The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is like the James Bond of smartwatches—sleek, deadly, and dressed in black titanium.'

Economics

6 d. ago Argos drops price of TV hailed 'ideal for students' to lowest ever price ahead of new September term

A 24 inch TV could be exactly what students are after as they return to university.

Economics

6 d. ago Hundreds of Apple fans race to grab £99 AirPods in 50% off online deal

Normally £194, these AirPods Gen 3 are going for £99 at Wowcher right now.

Economics

7 d. ago Apple fans can get a £400 Series 4 watch for £68 with shopping trick

The Apple watch Series 4 launched in 2018

Economics

8 d. ago Is this the secret date iPhone fans must know? Huge Apple upgrade may be coming soon

Apple could be about to unleash its latest and greatest phones and this is the date fans may need to know.

Politics

8 d. ago Apple fans rush for £155 Watch 7 bargain as shoppers call it 'excellent'

The Apple Watch 7 is available for a bargain price of £155 from Wowcher

Economics

1 week ago Apple fans rush to buy MacBook Pro for £300 less in rare deal that beats Amazon

Shoppers looking to pick up an Apple MacBook Pro without spending a whopping £500, shouldn't snooze on this rare deal which has seen the model plummet to a fraction of that price

Economics

1 week ago Argos dishes out rare code which makes these Kindles cheaper than Amazon's own price

Arogs has added the popular Kindle e-readers to a discreet section of its sale

Politics