5 h. ago Health and safety rules holding UK infrastructure back, says writer of government report

Exclusive: John Fingleton says regulators need to change their attitude to risk to end the country’s economic stagnationOverbearing health and safety rules are stopping Britain building new infrastructure, according to the economist whom Keir Starmer has cited as an inspiration for his growth strategy.John Fingleton, who recently wrote a report for government on how to encourage developers to build new nuclear power plants, told the Guardian regulators needed to change their attitude to risk if the country was to end its long economic stagnation. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Economic growth no longer linked to carbon emissions in most of the world, study finds

Analysis marking 10 years since Paris climate agreement underscores effectiveness of strong government policiesThe once-rigid link between economic growth and carbon emissions is breaking across the vast majority of the world, according to a study released ahead of Friday’s 10th anniversary of the Paris climate agreement.The analysis, which underscores the effectiveness of strong government climate policies, shows this “decoupling” trend has accelerated since 2015 and is becoming particularly pronounced among major emitters in the global south. Continue reading...

Economics

60 h. ago Broken defence promises: Labour's dithering is putting Britain's national security at risk, says MAGGIE PAGANO

Only a few months ago, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves boasted about how extra defence spending was going to turbo-charge economic growth.

Events

3 d. ago Hilton sparks growth in West London with expansion of premium economy brand

Hilton sparks growth in West London with expansion of premium economy brand  Hospitality Net

Economics

6 d. ago ‘The only idea around’: will Labour return to a customs union with the EU?

The desperate search for economic growth is pushing the party to confront the issue that dare not speak its nameFor much of the last week, Keir Starmer’s government has been suggesting that a closer relationship with Europe will be a more prominent part of his agenda in the future.But it was a little-noted personnel change that might prove the most telling shift: Nick Thomas Symonds, the minister in charge of EU negotiations, was promoted to full cabinet rank. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Government sends advisors to Greater Manchester to learn about economic growth

Greater Manchester's economy has grown faster than anywhere else in the UK over the last 10 years

Politics

8 d. ago Stealth tax raid hits incentives to work, save and even stay in the UK, warns Budget watchdog

David Miles, from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), suggested Rachel Reeves' freeze on income tax thresholds would weigh on growth in the economy.

Events

9 d. ago Despite US trade war, EOCD expects global economy will grow 3.2% this year

The world economy has proven surprisingly durable in the face of President Donald Trump’s trade wars, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Tuesday, upgrading its outlook for global and U.S. economic growth this year

Events

1 week ago Reeves tax rises to hit UK economic growth, warns OECD as Cabinet meets after Budget bust

The leading economists also predict that interest rates will fall from 4% to 3.5% by the second quarter of 2026

Events

1 week ago Blow for Reeves as business confidence at near record low after Budget

Labour chancellor under pressure to do more to improve the prospects for economic growth

Economics

1 week ago Experts' forecasts for your money and the economy over the next couple of years

Latest forecast point to a sharp slowdown in economic growth next year - but with inflation and interest rates also falling

Economics

1 week ago Amazing 'European tube' will link 39 holiday destinations and slash travel speed

A new trainline proposal could see 39 major European cities linked, potentially cutting carbon emissions for travellers and slashing journey times exponentially

Politics

2 w. ago Smorgasbord of tax rises just shows Labour's muddled thinking with UK Budget

This budget was an opportunity for the Chancellor the Exchequer to reset the narrative, reconnect with business and put the UK and Scotland on a path to accelerated economic growth.

Economics

2 w. ago Reeves should be more ambitious on tax reform to boost economic growth – IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ director Helen Miller called on the Chancellor to be more ambitious about measures to boost growth.

Economics

2 w. ago UK Budget 2025: Labour's £26 billion tax gamble risks choking off economic growth

If the economy fails to improve, Labour’s troubles and poll ratings will only get worse

Economics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves’s budget has inflamed, not calmed, Britain’s febrile mood | Martin Kettle

The chancellor’s statement will be remembered for the many taxes it raised, rather than the big one – income tax – it did notRachel Reeves’s chancellorship was already balanced on a knife-edge, even before the 2025 budget. After she delivered her second budget statement, it still is. Even more than usual, Wednesday’s speech was full of significant fiscal changes, altered spending commitments and adjusted economic forecasts, most of them accidentally (and, for journalists, conveniently) released a short while in advance by the obviously misnamed Office for Budget Responsibility. Politically, however, almost nothing has changed at all.Reeves arrived in the Treasury last year offering what she, like Keir Starmer, had promised as the Conservative years ebbed: competence, stability and, above all, a focus on economic growth. Her problem, despite her upbeat assessments, is that she has delivered none of them. Nothing about the 2025 budget guarantees any early change in that, however defia...

Politics

2 w. ago Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves raises taxes to record high as economic growth forecast to weaken

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch brands package of measures ‘a smorgasbord of misery’ and urges chancellor to resign

Economics

2 w. ago Budget ‘papers over cracks’, say economists as UK growth forecasts downgraded

The Office for Budget Responsibility also pointed to a worsening short-term picture for inflation and unemployment.

Economics

2 w. ago Inflation and unemployment forecasts hiked as tax burden to hit record – OBR

It came as the UK’s official forecaster also reported that economic growth will be weaker than expected from 2026.

Economics

2 w. ago Budget 2025 LIVE: Early release fiasco reveals income tax thresholds frozen for another THREE years in £26billion tax raid

Office for Budget Responsibility increases its forecast for economic growth this year from 1% to 1.5% but downgraded its forecasts for the following four years

Economics