36 h. ago Sunshine gave shops a boost last month as Brits flocked to garden centres and restocked wardrobes

Retail sales increased by 0.4 per cent as Brits flocked to garden centres and restocked wardrobes.

Events

54 h. ago IMF warns that trade tensions could test stability of world economy; Reeves ‘confident’ about US trade deal – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Events

58 h. ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

4 d. ago Clothing giant Next looks set to be given green light for Dumfries return

A planning hurdle preventing the firm from setting up shop at Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park could be removed next week.

Politics

4 d. ago Asda: UK groceries supermarket opening 25 new Express stores before the end of 2025

It’s part of a major shake-up under returning boss Allan Leighton 🚀

Politics

5 d. ago Number plate checker can tell drivers if they need to pay £150 DVLA car tax rise

The quick number plate checker will tell how much CO2 their vehicle emits and what car tax band they fall into - and if they need to pay more in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax bills this year

Economics

7 d. ago Teachers threaten to strike if Labour doesn't offer 'fully funded' pay award with unions to ballot members on walkouts less than a year after wage increase

Delegates of the NASUWT teaching union voted to 'step up' its campaigning to secure a fully funded, real-terms pay award for teachers next academic year.

Events

9 d. ago Beauty buffs 'running' to Home Bargains for new £1.49 hair products similar to £34 brand

The bargain retailer has wowed shoppers who spotted the affordable products in their local store.

Economics

9 d. ago Shoppers are snapping up £26 'magic' garden hose on Amazon that 'never tangles'

The Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose Pipe is one of the most wished-for gardening products at the online retail giant, and has been reduced to £25.99 saving shoppers £10

Economics

9 d. ago B&M's 'perfect' £40 oak coffee table looks 'just like' £190 high

Shoppers are 'obsessed' with the retailer's new £40 coffee table that resembles a much more expensive style

Economics

9 d. ago Poll reveals Hamilton as biggest buyer of lamps from British Heart Foundation charity shops

British Heart Foundation Scotland (BHF) announced its second-hand shop in Hamilton Retail Park sold an impressive 995 lamps in just 12 months - helping to raise funds for its vital heart research.

Economics

9 d. ago Minister hopes supreme court’s gender ruling will ‘draw a line’ under trans debate – UK politics live

Health minister Karen Smyth says ‘it’s good we have clarity for women’ as Tories call for ruling to be ‘reinforced with legislation’Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has highlighted the recent report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) which suggested business confidence in the UK has dipped severely.In a post to social media, the recently knighted MP said:I take no pleasure in the ICAEW’s latest survey, which reveals UK business confidence has slipped into negative territory for the first three months of 2025, thanks to Labour’s anti-business budget.Tax burden tops the list of concerns for the second quarter in a row, with 56% of businesses saying it’s their greatest challenge. Red tape follows closely, with 43% of companies reporting increased strain. Rising costs and wage pressures continue to squeeze profits, with investment growth remaining sluggish.Single-sex services like changing rooms must be based on biological sex. If a male person is allowed...

Politics

1 week ago Retail sales rise 1.4% in March as shoppers stock up on big ticket items ahead of tariffs

U.S. shoppers increased their shopping last month, fueled by a spending spree on foreign-made new big ticket items from gadgets to cars before President Donald Trump’s expansive new tariffs started kicking in

Economics

1 week ago SNP minister claims her £19,000 pay rise won't cost the taxpayer a single penny

SNP ministers have faced a backlash after they were handed whopping pay rises.

Economics

1 week ago Major charity shop retailer suddenly shuts three branches with another 47 set to close

Well known high street chain has hit serious financial problems

Politics

1 week ago UK inflation falls to 2.6%, increasing pressure on Bank to cut interest rates

March annual rate comes before expected rise because of household bills going up this monthBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation dropped to 2.6% in March, increasing the pressure on Bank of England policymakers to cut interest rates next month.Prices growth was weak ahead of an expected rise in April as households begin to pay higher council tax and utility bills, as well as an uncertain outlook posed by Donald Trump’s tariff war. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Readers' letters: Shocked but not surprised by £20,000 pay rise for ministers

A reader is unimpressed with John Swinney’s ‘fairness’ defence of a big pay rise for Scottish Government ministers

Politics

1 week ago Warning issued as wage figures revealed ahead of Bank of England interest rates decision

Economists are warning about unemployment levels after new data shows availability of jobs has worsened despite wages increasing

Events

1 week ago John Swinney defends £20,000 pay rise for SNP ministers as 'principle of fairness'

John Swinney has claimed allowing his ministers a pay rise is guided by “fairness”.

Politics

1 week ago Union to debate launching formal ballot for strike action over teachers’ pay

The majority of National Education Union (NEU) teacher members have said they would be willing to strike over the Government’s proposed 2.8% pay rise.

Events