15 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

17 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

18 h. ago House prices fall in August as Budget property tax rumours risk sending them lower

The typical home fell in value last month by £1,585, according to the latest figures from Nationwide.

Economics

18 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

18 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

19 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

19 h. ago Average UK house price suffers monthly fall of 0.1%, figures show

The affordability of a home remains ‘stretched’ compared with the longer term, Nationwide Building Society said.

Politics

19 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 Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in Fed battle; US growth revised higher amid AI boom – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Business news live: Nvidia share price falls despite ‘monster’ profits as ‘politics has got in the way’

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in battle with Fed – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Business news live: The companies looking to buy Costa Coffee, FTSE 100 reacts to Nvidia’s share price fall

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

4 d. ago Tesla sales fell 40% across Europe in July; Drax shares tumble 10% after FCA launches investigation – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares in power generator Drax have tumbled by 10% after it revealed this morning it is being investigated by the City watchdog.Traders drove Drax’s share price down to 630p in early London trading, down from 703.5p last night, following the news that the FCA is probing whether its recent annual reports comply with UK Listing Rules.Meanwhile, possible electricity rate adjustments and higher rice tariffs could raise inflationary pressures over the policy horizon. The Monetary Board observed that domestic demand has held firm. However, the impact of US policies on global trade and investment continue to weigh on global economic activity. This could temper the outlook for the Philippine economy. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Business news live: FTSE 100 drops and Poundland is saved from going into administration

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Tuesday

Politics

6 d. ago What shoppers can do to limit charges once the US ends a tariff exemption for goods under $800

U.S. shoppers have enjoyed cheap, duty-free international packages from overseas retailers, but that's changing

Economics

1 week ago Reeves’ new homes levy slammed as a ‘tax on ordinary Londoners’ that will hit families hardest

An estate agent who has campaigned against stamp duty said the tax change would make it harder for ordinary Londoners to start families

Society

1 week ago The key differences between Property Tax and Stamp Duty as UK Gov considers changes

Stamp duty used to exist in Scotland but has since been replaced with another fully devolved tax

Politics

1 week ago Property Tax: UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves eyes new Stamp Duty shake up, what proposed changes could mean, news

New plans could soon mean selling your home leaves you with less in your pocket 🏡

Politics

2 w. ago Soho House agrees to be taken private in $2.7bn deal; European shares dip ahead of Ukraine peace talks – as it happened

Ashton Kutcher to join private members’ club’s boardThe bosses of Britain’s largest listed companies took home record high pay packets for the third successive year, according to a report.Analysis found that the record set in the last financial year means the average FTSE 100 chief executive is now paid 122 times the salary of the average full-time UK worker.What would be the justification for jacking up fares above inflation? There isn’t any.It’s ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one’s interest. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Soho House agrees to be taken private in $2.7bn deal; European shares dip ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Ashton Kutcher to join private members’ club’s boardThe bosses of Britain’s largest listed companies took home record high pay packets for the third successive year, according to a report.Analysis found that the record set in the last financial year means the average FTSE 100 chief executive is now paid 122 times the salary of the average full-time UK worker.What would be the justification for jacking up fares above inflation? There isn’t any.It’s ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one’s interest. Continue reading...

Economics