8 h. ago Hundreds of economists sign open letter backing embattled Fed Governor Lisa Cook after Trump attacks

Notable and experienced economists warn elected officials that attacks on the Fed ‘undermine’ public confidence

Events

8 h. ago Will Trump really attack Venezuela? War of words with President Maduro escalates as US sends destroyers to region

The Venezuelan President has threatened to create a 'republic in arms' if the Trump administration takes military action against his country

Politics

12 h. ago Pressure rises on Reeves as government borrowing costs hit 27

Chancellor will face more limited fiscal headroom at budget after yield on 30-year bond increases to 5.68%Business live – latest updatesReshuffle gymnastics prepare Starmer to walk tricky budget tightropeBritain’s long-term borrowing costs have hit their highest level in 27 years, intensifying the pressure on the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, before the autumn budget.The yield, or interest rate, on 30-year UK government debt hit 5.714% on Tuesday. That is its highest level since 1998, indicating that it will cost the UK more to borrow from the markets, above the previous 27-year high of 5.649% set in April. Continue reading...

Events

16 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 02 September: Gold price at record level, index struggles

The price of gold today set a new all-time high, fuelled by bets on US interest rate cuts.

Politics

17 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 02 September: Gold price at record level, index opens lower

The price of gold today set a new all-time high, fuelled by bets on US interest rate cuts.

Politics

17 h. ago Business news live: Gold price hits record high and Revolut share sale gives $75bn valuation

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Tuesday

Economics

38 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

39 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

40 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: Defence stocks lift index, house price growth slows

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

40 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

41 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

41 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: House price growth slows, Alibaba shares jump

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

41 h. ago Business news live: UK house prices fall with ‘market ‘struggling’ after stamp duty change

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Monday

Economics

42 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

4 d. ago Court blocks Trump bid to end protections for 600,000 Venezuelans

Appellate panel upholds lower court’s ruling as homeland security spokesperson attacks ‘activist’ judgesA federal appeals court on Friday blocked Donald Trump’s plans to end protections for 600,000 people from Venezuela who have permission to live and work in the US, saying that plaintiffs are likely to win their claim that the president’s administration’s actions were unlawful.A three-judge panel of the ninth US circuit court of appeals unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that maintained temporary protected status for Venezuelans while TPS holders challenge actions by the Republican president’s administration in court. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump admin cancels $679 million for offshore wind projects as attacks on reeling industry continue

The Transportation Department has canceled $679 million in federal funding for a dozen offshore wind projects

Politics

4 d. ago Kilmar Abrego Garcia seeks gag order against Trump administration, singles out Noem and Bondi’s ‘inflammatory’ attacks

Barrage of public attacks could taint jury pools with ‘irrelevant, prejudicial, and false claims,’ according to Abrego Garcia’s attorneys

Politics

4 d. ago The Cracker Barrel mess exposes the cynicism of the rightwing culture war | Sidney Blumenthal

The restaurant means little to activists – it’s simply a tool to bludgeon perceived enemies and flex conservative powerFirst they came for the Smithsonian. Then they came for Cracker Barrel.Whether it’s the museums or the corporations – or the universities, law firms, federal departments and agencies – the attack lines of the Trump culture war and its culture warriors are the same. The vicious full-scale assault on the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain after the company naively wandered on to the battle zone by altering its “Old Timer” logo exposes the cynicism of the whole operation and its ulterior motive to impose an authoritarian regime over every aspect of American society.Sidney Blumenthal, former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, has published three books of a projected five-volume political life of Abraham Lincoln: A Self-Made Man, Wrestling With His Angel and All the Powers of Earth. He is a Guardian US columnist Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Tax raid fears hit banking shares, US inflation data in focus

FTSE 100 banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider tax raid on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Banking stocks hit by levy fears, US inflation data in focus

Banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider hiking a windfall tax on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics