5 h. ago When will interest rates fall? Forecasts for a base rate cut

Hopes for an base rate cut in early 2026 have been knocked on the head after figures revealed inflation climbed to 3.4 per cent in December.

Politics

6 h. ago Interest rate cut hopes end as inflation jumps to 3.4% in December

The rise in the first since July last year - but inflation is expected to start falling again in the Spring

Economics

2 w. ago Anas Sarwar promises to cut 50p tax rate for middle income Scots as he warns of brain drain

EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Labour leader has hit out at a "quirk" in the tax system that lands workers with a high marginal tax rate.

Events

3 w. ago Minutes of latest Federal Reserve meeting reveal deep divide over interest rates

In an unusual turn, the central bank’s board debated over monetary policy before the latest quarter-point cutThe US Federal Reserve agreed to cut interest rates at its December meeting only after a deeply nuanced debate about the risks facing the US economy right now, according to minutes of the latest two-day session.Even some of those who supported the rate cut acknowledged “the decision was finely balanced or that they could have supported keeping the target range unchanged”, given the different risks facing the US economy, according to the minutes released on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago December interest rate cut was a close call for some Fed officials, minutes show

Some Federal Reserve officials who supported cutting a key interest rate earlier this month could have instead backed keeping the rate unchanged, minutes released Tuesday show, underscoring the divisions and uncertainty permeating the central bank

Politics

3 w. ago Five charts that explain the global economic outlook for 2026

Inflation is predicted to cool but uncertainty over AI-driven growth and trade policy poses risks in the year aheadThe global economy proved to be more resilient in 2025 than had been feared, despite severe headwinds that ranged from Donald Trump’s trade war to geopolitical tensions and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.Entering the new year, the hope is that the worst of the recent inflation shock has passed, as the world’s most powerful central banks lower interest rates. However, the pre-Covid age of rock-bottom borrowing costs is a distant memory, global growth is slowing and conditions remain fragile. Continue reading...

Economics