7 h. ago Reeves to touch down in Washington after IMF warns of rising UK inflation

The Chancellor is to champion Britain as a place where investors and businesses can count on economic stability during meetings in Washington DC.

Events

8 h. ago Trump says list of ‘Democrat programs’ to be released on Friday as shutdown drags into third week – live

President says programs to be cut are ‘never going to come back’ as Congress remains at an impasse on stopgap funding bill to reopen governmentJohnson says ‘I don’t have anything to negotiate’ as US shutdown drags onChina has hit back at accusations from the US that it is trying to hurt the world economy, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies appeared to re-escalate, amped up by aggressive rhetoric on both sides.China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday that the US was “threatening to intimidate” with the prospect of new tariffs on Chinese exports, “which is not the right way to get along with China”. Its spokesperson said that China would “fight to the end” in trade talks. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago The Guardian view on the IMF’s warning: Britain’s economy runs hot for profits, cold for pay | Editorial

Labour is misreading the economics – leaving it unable to deal with the G7’s worst inflation and flat living standardBloomberg’s headline said it all: “UK Faces Worst G-7 Inflation and Flat Living Standards, IMF Says”. The International Monetary Fund warns that inflation will be higher in the UK than in any other major advanced economy – including in the US, where Donald Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs for American consumers. This while GDP growth per head crawls at 0.4%, the weakest of any major economy. Real wages have stagnated for 11 months. Meanwhile, official figures show that unemployment has climbed to 4.8%, the highest since spring 2021. Forget talk of Britain’s “upgraded growth”; the economy, under Labour, is running hot only for those collecting profits.The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) projects that by 2029 average disposable incomes will be £570 lower than today, a fall of 1.3% – the sharpest drop in living standards since records began in 1961. This isn’t a sim...

Events

11 h. ago House speaker defends White House using research funding to pay military during government shutdown – live

Mike Johnson says Trump administration has ‘every right’ to move around ‘duly appropriated dollars from Congress to Department of Defense’China has hit back at accusations from the US that it is trying to hurt the world economy, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies appeared to re-escalate, amped up by aggressive rhetoric on both sides.China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday that the US was “threatening to intimidate” with the prospect of new tariffs on Chinese exports, “which is not the right way to get along with China”. Its spokesperson said that China would “fight to the end” in trade talks. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago House speaker defends administration’s move to keep military paid during government shutdown – US politics live

Mike Johnson says Trump administration has ‘every right’ to move around ‘duly appropriated dollars from Congress to Department of Defense’China has hit back at accusations from the US that it is trying to hurt the world economy, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies appeared to re-escalate, amped up by aggressive rhetoric on both sides.China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday that the US was “threatening to intimidate” with the prospect of new tariffs on Chinese exports, “which is not the right way to get along with China”. Its spokesperson said that China would “fight to the end” in trade talks. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago The true cost of Labour: Britain faces highest inflation in G7 but lags behind on growth, warns IMF... while unemployment hits a four

In a setback for Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget next month, the global watchdog forecast UK inflation of 3.4 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2026.

Events

15 h. ago House speaker says shutdown ‘barreling towards one of longest on record’ as it enters day 14 – US politics live

Mike Johnson speaks on federal government shutdown as it enters 14th day with little end in sightChina has hit back at accusations from the US that it is trying to hurt the world economy, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies appeared to re-escalate, amped up by aggressive rhetoric on both sides.China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday that the US was “threatening to intimidate” with the prospect of new tariffs on Chinese exports, “which is not the right way to get along with China”. Its spokesperson said that China would “fight to the end” in trade talks. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago UK inflation to rise to highest in G7, warns IMF as food costs surge

It came as the IMF increased its UK growth forecast for this year but reduced its prediction for 2026 amid concerns over the labour market.

Events

15 h. ago World economy resilient amid Trump tariffs but outlook looks ‘dim’, says IMF

UK and global GDP growth forecasts upgraded for this year but immigration controls could have negative impact Business live – latest updatesThe global economy has shown “unexpected resilience” in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs, but the full impact is yet to be felt, and outlook for growth remains “dim”, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.As policymakers gather in Washington for its annual meetings, the IMF has upgraded its forecast for global GDP growth this year to 3.2%, from 3% at its last update in July. Next year’s global forecast is unchanged, at 3.1%. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Brits will suffer highest inflation of the world's biggest economies, IMF warns

The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its forecast for the UK economy this year, but says inflation will be higher than it thought

Events

66 h. ago The IMF boss is right to say ‘buckle up’ – the global economy is facing multiple menaces

Trump’s latest tariff tantrum and rising fears of an AI bubble have very quickly borne out Kristina Georgieva’s claim that ‘uncertainty is the new normal’Trump threatens 100% tariffs as Beijing restricts rare-earth exportsLittle more than 48 hours passed last week between IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva’s warning that “uncertainty is the new normal” and Donald Trump’s latest tariff onslaught – this time aimed at China.Markets plunged on Friday after Trump threatened to levy punitive additional tariffs of 100% on Chinese goods in retaliation for Beijing’s blocks on exports of rare earth minerals. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Is the AI bubble about to burst? JP Morgan boss joins dire warnings from BoE and IMF about risk of stock market crunch

JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon said he was 'far more worried than others' about the risk of a serious correction.

Events

6 d. ago IMF chief warns of economic uncertainty and offers this advice: 'Buckle up'

The global economy may be holding up better than expected despite major shocks such as President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but the head of the International Monetary Fund says that resilience may not last

Events

6 d. ago IMF chief warns ‘uncertainty is the new normal’ in global economy

Kristalina Georgieva outlines mounting risks to economic stability before fund’s annual meetings next weekBank of England warns of growing risk that AI bubble could burstGold price tops $4,000 for first time as investors seek safe havenThe head of the International Monetary Fund has issued a stark warning about the mounting risks facing the global economy, saying: “Buckle up: uncertainty is the new normal.”As finance ministers and central bankers prepare to meet in Washington for the IMF’s annual meetings next week, its managing director, Kristalina Georgieva said the world economy had shown surprising resilience in the face of Donald Trump’s trade war. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago IMF and BoE warn AI boom risks ‘abrupt’ stock market correction

Kristalina Georgieva and UK financial stability watchdog say valuations are closing in on dotcom bubble levels

Events

6 d. ago Bank of England warns of risk of AI market correction; gold hits new $4,000 an ounce record – business live

Soaring tech valuations could drop amid potentially ‘disappointing’ progress on AI, central bank says; gold has doubled in two years and extends 50% rally so far this yearPeter Hargreaves, the billionaire co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, is retiring from the UK’s largest personal investment site, seven months after its £5.4bn acquisition by private equity firms. Hargreaves, 79, who set up the business in 1981 in the back bedroom of his house in Clifton with Stephen Lansdown, is handing his board position to his son Robert and said this “marks a proud new chapter in the family legacy”. His firm pioneered “DIY” investments, allowing people to invest directly in shares via its website without costly financial advisers.The Bristol-based company said he had rejoined the board earlier this year to “provide continuity and support through a period of change” following its takeover by a private equity consortium of Jersey-based buyout giant CVC Capital Partners, Sweden’s Nordic Capital and...

Events

6 d. ago Bank of England warns growing risk AI bubble could burst; gold hits new $4,000 an ounce record – business live

Soaring tech valuations could drop amid potentially ‘disappointing’ progress on AI, central bank says; gold has doubled in two years and extends 50% rally so far this yearPeter Hargreaves, the billionaire co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, is retiring from the UK’s largest personal investment site, seven months after its £5.4bn acquisition by private equity firms. Hargreaves, 79, who set up the business in 1981 in the back bedroom of his house in Clifton with Stephen Lansdown, is handing his board position to his son Robert and said this “marks a proud new chapter in the family legacy”. His firm pioneered “DIY” investments, allowing people to invest directly in shares via its website without costly financial advisers.The Bristol-based company said he had rejoined the board earlier this year to “provide continuity and support through a period of change” following its takeover by a private equity consortium of Jersey-based buyout giant CVC Capital Partners, Sweden’s Nordic Capital and...

Events

6 d. ago Spot gold rises above $4,000 for the first time; car dealer Vertu Motors warns of £5.5m profit hit from JLR disruption – business live

Gold has doubled in two years and extends 50% rally so far this year amid central bank buying and political turmoilPeter Hargreaves, the billionaire co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, is retiring from the UK’s largest personal investment site, seven months after its £5.4bn acquisition by private equity firms. Hargreaves, 79, who set up the business in 1981 in the back bedroom of his house in Clifton with Stephen Lansdown, is handing his board position to his son Robert and said this “marks a proud new chapter in the family legacy”. His firm pioneered “DIY” investments, allowing people to invest directly in shares via its website without costly financial advisers.The Bristol-based company said he had rejoined the board earlier this year to “provide continuity and support through a period of change” following its takeover by a private equity consortium of Jersey-based buyout giant CVC Capital Partners, Sweden’s Nordic Capital and the Abu Dhabi wealth fund, which completed in March.Har...

Economics