28 h. ago Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement: Experts react to controversial changes – 'she'll need more'

The spring statement, worsening economy and Donald Trump's latest trade tariffs on cars has led to renewed speculation about more tax rises to come and a further hit to hard-up households

Politics

59 h. ago Spring Statement 2025: What to expect from Rachel Reeves as inflation eases amid gloomy outlook

Watch today’s top business stories in under two minutes - as the nation awaits the Spring Statement.

Economics

68 h. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit by triple blow as outlook for growth is slashed, retail sales are falling and bosses warn the high street is dying

The hat-trick of gloomy signs about the state of the economy came as the Chancellor prepared to reveal worsening official forecasts in today's Spring Statement.

Events

3 d. ago Britons cutting back on everyday spending due to gloomy outlook on ‘worsening’ UK economy

The Consumer Pulse survey from KPMG found three in five people think the UK economy is worsening

Economics

3 d. ago Britons cutting back on spending as confidence in economy falls, survey shows

Most feel financial secure but think UK’s economy is worsening, as chancellor plans welfare cuts in spring statementConsumers are cutting back spending on everyday items amid falling confidence in the UK economy before Rachel Reeves’s spring statement, according to a survey.As the chancellor prepares to confirm billions of pounds in cuts to welfare and government spending on Wednesday, the research by KPMG showed growing numbers of people in Britain believed the economy was heading in the wrong direction. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Thousands of Britons to have welfare income cut by more than 60%

FT calculations point to dramatic impact of government reforms to benefits system

Politics

2 w. ago We are stuck. Declining. And spiraling. We need a breakthrough | Amana Fontanella

We live in dark, depressing and – frankly – terrifying times. Will technology push us over the edge or help us exit our many crises?Today we live in an era defined by crisis. Indeed, we are facing multiple overlapping threats at once: from accelerating climate breakdown to the rise of authoritarianism across the world, we are in a situation that the historian Adam Tooze calls “polycrisis”. It is no wonder that hope is scarce, pessimism is high and despair is pervasive. As one meme that captures the grim, morbid mood of our age reads: “My retirement plan is civilisational collapse.”But not everyone shares this gloomy outlook. On the extreme other end of public sentiment sit Silicon Valley billionaires: they are some of the most optimistic people on earth. Of course, it’s easy to be optimistic when you are sitting on enough money to sway national politics. And yet, the source of their optimism isn’t simply money. It is also a deep-seated faith in unfettered technological advances. Con...

Politics

3 w. ago Pound rises above $1.29 as Trump fears hit dollar; Poundland chain up for sale – business live

Dollar slides after US president exempts carmakers from 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico; euro and sterling hit four-month highsThe British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is predicting “a long and challenging year for UK businesses”. It has become more gloomy about the growth outlook for the UK and said firms will struggle to invest as they deal with a raft of rising cost pressures.This is going to be a long and challenging year for UK businesses. The BCC’s forecast shows an economy struggling without the secure foundations to kickstart business investment.Inflation will continue to be stubborn this year forcing the Bank of England to keep interest rates relatively high. Global uncertainties will add further dark clouds to the economic climate. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago I won’t make Britons cut out meat to meet climate goals, says Starmer

Prime minister’s response comes after climate experts called for Britons to cut their meat consumption by 260g a week - the equivalent of two kebabs

Politics