23 h. ago Business confidence sinks as firms weigh twin impact of US tariffs and tax rises

A poll of UK bosses indicated that sentiment is at its lowest point since late 2022, when inflation was surging to historically high levels.

Economics

3 d. ago Donald Trump is now badly wounded. Europe can seize an advantage | Will Hutton

It’s time to fashion a new global trade order without the USThe game-changing geopolitical event last week was the near collapse of the immense $29tn ­market in US government debt, threatening the stability of the American and global financial system and the safe-haven status of dollar assets.The US president boasted as the collapse unfolded that world leaders were queueing to “kiss his arse”. Twelve hours later, he was in the same humiliatingly weak position as the then British prime minister Liz Truss found herself after her tax-slashing “mini-budget” in 2022. The markets had forced him to pause for 90 days the swingeing range of “reciprocal” tariffs that he announced on what he proclaimed “liberation day”; instead he lowered all of them, bar that on China, to 10%. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Trump tariffs likely to hit UK growth, warns Bank of England policymaker

Deputy governor for financial stability Sarah Breeden added that it is ‘not clear-cut’ what effect the new trade policy will have on inflation.

Events

5 d. ago ‘We are stepping up,’ UK defence secretary tells ‘coalition of the willing’ for Ukraine – Europe live

John Healey tells meeting of more than 30 countries that coalition is working on ‘putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position’We’re getting a bit more details from EU spokesperson, Olof Gill, speaking at the commission’s press briefing right now (which, notably, got delayed by almost half an hour as that von der Leyen statement was being put out).He said:We are not going to offer any greater detail at this point about what we are not saying to the Americans beyond what we have already said.We want to negotiate, we want to talk. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Ursula von der Leyen says Trump’s tariffs pause is ‘important step towards stabilising global economy’ – Europe live

European Commission president floats idea of zero-for-zero tariff agreement with US, saying she hopes to achieve ‘frictionless trade’Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis put forward a proposal for a “win-win” trade deal with the US last night, saying the EU and the US should push "for “a solution which will be mutually beneficial.”Speaking to Breitbart US, he said there was “still room for negotiations before we consider any major reciprocal response beyond what has been announced today, which, anyhow, was, the expected EU reaction.” Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago China retaliates with 84% tariffs as Trump says ‘great time to move companies to the US’ – business live

Stock markets down in UK and across Europe after steep declines in Asia, while turmoil spreads to bond market China announces 84% tariffs on all US goods in response to Trump’s 104%Bank of England warns Trump tariffs threaten global growth and raise risk of ‘severe shocks’Today’s tariffs follow Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports from many countries, including Australia, which came into effect at the weekend.US customs agents began collecting the unilateral tariff at US seaports, airports and customs warehouses on Saturday. Today’s measures are higher levies on goods from 57 larger trading partners. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump tariffs threaten global growth and raise risk of ‘severe shocks’, says Bank of England

Levies have heaped pressure on government finances and increased chance of ‘further sharp correction’, report warnsTrump imposes new tariffs on dozens of partnersDramatic sell-off of US government bondsBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have put global growth at risk, the Bank of England has warned, heaping pressure on government finances and increasing the likelihood of “severe shocks” to the financial system.The Bank’s financial policy committee (FPC) said its global risk environment had deteriorated and “uncertainty had intensified” since its last update in November, with US tariff announcements contributing to a “material increase in risks to global growth” and inflation levels. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Global stability risks rise as US tariffs could weigh on growth, Bank warns

It follows US President Donald Trump announcing a series of new and higher tariffs on all imports to the US.

Events

6 d. ago India’s central bank cuts interest rates after Trump’s tariffs kick in

Reserve Bank lowers growth forecast after economists estimate US tariffs could shave 20-40 basis points off growth in world’s fifth-largest economy this year

Politics

7 d. ago Study reveals potentially deadly risk of 'healthier' drinks like Diet Coke

Scientists found aspartame, a common artificial sweetener also found in products like Extra chewing gum, contributed to a worrying rise in diabetes risk.

Events

2 w. ago US factory activity shrinks as tariffs weigh on demand and hiring plans

Inventories rise to highest level since 2022 as producers stockpile goods

Politics

2 w. ago These groups now worse off in DWP, PIP and Universal Credit cuts but four will gain

The Labour Party chancellor confirmed welfare cuts of £4.8bn, but insisted the government's priority was to restore stability to the public finances in the face of rising global borrowing costs

Politics

3 w. ago Spring Statement: Rachel Reeves needs AI to 'move needle' on economic growth, says Bank of England governor

The UK’s economy has been flatlining

Economics

3 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – as it happened

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Politics

3 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – business live

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Economics

3 w. ago Bank of England leaves interest rates on hold despite ‘intensifying’ trade war uncertainty – business live

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%In the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employment support for sick and disabled people.“We’ve already put in place measures to make ...

Economics

3 w. ago Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold today; global debt exceeds $100tn – business live

Monetary Policy Committee set to announce interest rate decision at noonIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employment support for sick and disabled people.“We’ve already put in place measures to make work pay...

Economics

3 w. ago ‘I trust my eyes, not the forecast’: Alexandria is sinking. Why don’t local fishers believe it?

The ancient Mediterranean city is at risk as sea levels rise. But most people in the vulnerable fishing village of El Max believe it will always weather the storms of timeOn a sunny January morning in El Max, west of Egypt’s second city, Alexandria, where a canal meets the Mediterranean Sea, Ahmed Gaz is untangling his fishing net on the beach after landing his catch at dawn.Like almost everyone in the neighbourhood, Gaz was born and raised by the water, destined to fish for a living: “My whole life is in the sea. My life, my work and my livelihood.” Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Cannabis raises risk of deadly condition that's on the rise in young people, major analysis finds

In the largest scientific review of its kind to date, US experts found that cannabis users were at 6-times the risk compared to non-users.

Events