69 m. ago Business condition ‘starting to improve’ in UK economy as activity picks up – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target. Continue reading...

Economics

11 h. ago UK's most influential Black people named in The Powerlist 2026

The annual Powerlist celebrates Black excellence across various industries and recognises the UK's most powerful people of African, African Caribbean, and African American heritage

Politics

11 h. ago Bank of England’s finance chief Afua Kyei named most influential black Briton

Ms Kyei said she was ‘delighted that someone in the public sector and financial services is being recognised in this way’.

Economics

21 h. ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

22 h. ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits fresh record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

23 h. ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; Oil price jumps after Rosneft and Lukoil sanctioned – business live

British manufacturers see the weakest prospects for orders since Covid-19 pandemic, CBI reports, after demand weakened in last three monthsYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, ...

Economics

38 h. ago Bank watchdog boss says ‘plenty to worry about’ including AI bubble risk

Sam Woods also told City bosses and top bankers that potential US banking reforms would be ‘highly risky’.

Economics

48 h. ago UK inflation unexpectedly holds steady and bolsters hopes of November rate cut

Inflation in the U.K. has unexpectedly held steady in the year to September, according to official figures released Wednesday

Economics

49 h. ago Bank of England boss warns 'shadow banking' has echoes of the 2008 financial crisis

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey (pictured) said 'alarm bells' were ringing over risky lending in the unregulated private credit market.

Events

50 h. ago Scottish Government urges Treasury to reimburse £26m Trump and Vance visit cost

Scotland’s Finance Secretary has written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Politics

51 h. ago Alarm bells ring over risky lending: Bailey orders stress test into 'shadow banking' amid fears of a new financial crisis

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey (pictured) said 'alarm bells' were ringing over risky lending in the unregulated private credit market.

Events

68 h. ago Bank should take concerns over private finance ‘very seriously’, says Bailey

The Governor of the central bank also confirmed that the Bank is planning to run a ‘stress test’ with private equity and credit firms.

Economics

3 d. ago B&M shares plunge as finance chief quits over ‘embarrassing’ accounting error

The discount retailer said the issue has been resolved but will have a financial impact

Economics

4 d. ago B&M shares slide as finance chief quits after accounting error

Failure to ‘correctly recognise’ freight costs triggers profit warning for discount retailer

Economics

4 d. ago B&M shares sink as finance chief quits after accounting error

Failure to ‘correctly recognise’ freight costs triggers latest in a series of profit warnings for UK discount retailer

Economics

5 d. ago Apollo Global chief says Europe ‘at war with itself’ over finance regulation

Marc Rowan tells FT that regulators have yet to catch up with political drive to boost competitiveness

Events

5 d. ago Brexit impact on UK economy will be negative for foreseeable future, Bailey warns

The Bank of England governor, speaking at the G30 International Banking Seminar, highlighted a decline in the UK’s potential growth rate.

Events

5 d. ago Brexit impact on UK economy ‘negative for foreseeable future,’ Bailey says

The Bank of England governor, speaking at the G30 International Banking Seminar, highlighted a decline in the UK’s potential growth rate.

Politics

6 d. ago Top Bank of England economist dents hopes of interest rate cuts due to 'stubborn' inflation

Chief economist Huw Pill said rates will probably need to be cut more slowly. The warning came with inflation in the UK the highest in the G7 at 3.8 per cent.

Economics

6 d. ago Bank of England’s top economist calls for ‘more cautious’ interest rate cuts

Huw Pill, chief economist at the Bank, said in a speech in London that he ‘would expect further cuts’ in the coming year.

Economics