11 h. ago UK payrolls down by 178,000 over last year; Bundesbank chief defends central bank independence after Trump’s attacks on Powell – business live

UK company payrolls have fallen by 178,000 in last year, pushing unemployment rate to four-year highAnalysis: The rise in unemployment shows the UK jobs market is cooling, but it is not collapsingDeutsche Bank’s chief UK economist Sanjay Raja agrees that the UK’s labour market is continuing to cool, with both payrolls and vacancies down.Raja explains:Redundancies remain elevated with the May data showing a 114k increase in the three months to May – its highest level in three months. Jobs demand remains weak as hiring plans are near a standstill.This will continue to see unemployment rise – but we think this will be a slow grind higher as opposed to a whipsaw higher. For the MPC, despite the bump higher in inflation, the loosening in labour market should give the BoE reason to proceed with a gradual dial down of restrictive policy.The fallout in the labour market from the hikes in National Insurance Contributions and the minimum wage is not as big as previously thought. Even so, as p...

Economics

62 h. ago Footsie record: Why the FTSE 100 share index has hit 9,000 points for the first time

“That suggests the market is shaking off its unloved reputation and more investors like what’s on the menu” – Dan Coatsworth, AJ Bell

Events

64 h. ago Business news live: FTSE 100 hits record milestone, Reeves to address mortgages and pensions in speech

Stock markets updates, plus business and money news on Tuesday

Economics

64 h. ago FTSE 100 share index hits 9,000 points for the first time – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe FTSE 100 has also benefitted from the TACO trade this year – the bet that Trump always chickens out when his policies cause mayhem in the markets.As this chart shows, shares in London slumped in early April after the US president announced high new tariffs on US trading partners. Continue reading...

Events

64 h. ago Business news live: Rachel Reeves to address mortgages and pensions in Mansion House speech

Stock markets updates, plus business and money news on Tuesday

Economics

65 h. ago Business news live: Rachel Reeves to address taxes and pensions in Mansion House speech

Stock markets updates, plus business and money news on Tuesday

Economics

3 d. ago Bank of England governor says jobs slowdown could prompt rate cut; European markets fall after Trump tariff threat – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Andrew Bailey insists: “I think the path [for interest rates] is down”.Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 30% on European Union imports from next month is weighing on European stock markets this morning.Most of Europe’s markets have dropped at the start of trading, pulling the pan-European Stoxx 600 index down by 0.6%.Inadvertently or otherwise the President is testing the market’s patience. At a time when investors had seemingly brushed aside the likelihood of the base line of tariffs settling at 10%, the new pronouncements suggest a level of between 15% and 20% being the norm, with additionally punitive numbers on the likes of Canada at 35% adding to the uncertainty.The so-called “TACO” trade will therefore be tested again, with markets drifting in the US on Friday and futures currently suggesting a similar fall today. In addition, and as the new 1 August extension approaches, nerves are likely to jangle. Continue readi...

Economics

3 d. ago Business news live: Bitcoin hits new high, interest rates cut hint and EU tariff threat

Stock markets updates and business news from Monday

Events

6 d. ago Rachel Reeves says May’s fall in GDP is ‘disappointing’; Trump tariffs knock markets – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

6 d. ago Business news live: Rachel Reeves reacts to ‘disappointing’ GDP figures, more lenders join sub

Stock markets updates and business news from Friday

Politics

6 d. ago Rachel Reeves says GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

6 d. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

6 d. ago Business news live: Economy figures ‘disappointing’ says Rachel Reeves, more lenders join sub

Stock markets updates and business news from Friday

Economics

6 d. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month running – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatlining growth in May highlights the ongoing pressures facing the UK ec...

Economics

6 d. ago UK economy shrinks for second month running in May – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayThe pound has dropped against the US dollar, as investors react to this morning’s worse-than-expected GDP report.Sterling has lost a third of a cent to $1.354, a drop of 0.2%.“The economy contracted slightly in May with notable falls in production and construction, only partially offset by growth in services. However, across the latest three months as a whole, the economy still grew. This reflected strength earlier in the year that resulted, in part, from some activity being brought forward to February and March.“May’s fall in production was driven by oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Business news live: UK inflation update, plus bitcoin and FTSE 100 hits new record highs

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

7 d. ago Business news live: UK inflation set to stay unchanged and Royal Mail to scrap second

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

7 d. ago Business news live: UK economic activity revealed and Nvidia set record as world’s first $4tn company

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

8 d. ago Business news live: Housebuilders pay £100m after investigation and Rachel Reeves sent Cash ISA plea

Stock markets updates and business news from Wednesday

Economics

8 d. ago Business news live: Housebuilders pay £100m after investigation and copper hits record price on tariff threat

Stock markets updates and business news from Wednesday

Economics