6 d. ago Fertility rate hits record low in England, Scotland and Wales

Last year’s total fertility rate of 1.41 for England and Wales was lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, ONS saysThe fertility rate for England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row to reach a record low, figures show.The total fertility rate across both nations, meaning the average number of live children women can expect to have across their child-bearing life, stood at 1.41 in 2024, down from 1.42 in 2023, the lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, according to the Office for National Statistics. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago England and Wales fertility rate falls for third consecutive year

Last year’s total fertility rate of 1.41 was lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, ONS saysThe fertility rate for England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row to reach a record low, figures show.The total fertility rate across both nations, meaning the average number of live children women can expect to have across their child-bearing life, stood at 1.41 in 2024, down from 1.42 in 2023, the lowest since comparable data was first collected in 1938, according to the Office for National Statistics. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago US Fed’s Powell signals possible rate cut in Jackson Hole speech – business live

Chair of the Federal Reserve says US economy is facing ‘challenging situation’ as inflation risks persist and job market coolsUnions are raising concerns about the threat of TikTok layoffs, warning it would put millions of British TikTok users at risk.John Chadfield of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said:TikTok workers have long been sounding the alarm over the real-world costs of cutting human moderation teams in favour of hastily developed, immature AI alternatives.This has been a constant concern throughout the process of TikTok workers’ effort to form a union. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Inflation live: UK rate rises to 3.8% as latest ONS figures released

New figures reveal highest rate of inflation since January 2024

Economics

1 week ago UK inflation rises by more than expected to 3.8% amid higher food prices

Annual July rate all but rules out possibility of a further Bank of England interest rate cut this yearBusiness live – latest updatesInflation rose again last month, to a higher than expected 3.8%, amid higher food and fuel prices, adding to fears that the Bank of England will delay further interest rate cuts.Figures showed the annual rate as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) climbed from June’s 3.6% reading, sitting above the central bank’s 2% target for the 10th consecutive month. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Interest rates live: Boost for mortgage holders as Bank of England cuts rate for third time this year

Monetary Policy Committee members have voted on a cut down to 4 per cent which will hamper savings but boost the mortgage market

Economics

3 w. ago Bank of England cuts interest rates for fifth time in a year to 4% despite inflation fears: Live updates

LIVE UPDATES: Follow live updates as the Bank of England reveals the new interest rate with many expecting a third cut this year despite fears of lingering inflation.

Economics

3 w. ago Bank of England poised to cut interest rates for fifth time in a year despite fears over sluggish UK economy: Live updates

LIVE UPDATES: Follow live updates as the Bank of England reveals the new interest rate with many expecting a third cut this year despite fears of lingering inflation.

Economics

3 w. ago Interest rates live: Rate cut expected by Bank of England despite inflation and Trump tariffs

Monetary Policy Committee members are likely to vote on a cut down to 4 per cent which will hamper savings but boost the mortgage market

Economics

3 w. ago Interest rates live: Bank of England expected to cut rate for third time this year

Monetary Policy Committee updates and latest business and finance news from Thursday

Politics

3 w. ago Savers with £10,000 told to act today over £300 Bank of England change

The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates to four per cent on Thursday, February 26 - and experts are warning that it could mean a loss of £300 for savers

Economics

3 w. ago Martin Lewis urges NatWest, Nationwide and Lloyds customers 'take action this week'

The UK is expected to see another Bank of England rate cut on Thursday, and it could be bad news for savers with the likes of Nationwide, Lloyds and NatWest

Economics

3 w. ago UK construction activity shrinks by most in five years as housebuilding falls – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOpenAI takes on Meta and DeepSeek with free and customisable AI modelsThe contraction in UK construction last month is another reason for the Bank of England to consider cutting interest rates at noon tomorrow.A rate cut, from 4.25% to 4%, is already widely expected – it’ s a 95% chance, according to the City money markets this morning.“The Bank of England is widely expected to cut rates this week in what is likely to be a complex decision as the MPC weighs weak growth, sticky inflation, and a looming fiscal tightening.While markets are pricing in a 0.25% cut, attention will centre on the voting split – particularly how many members vote for a 0.5% move or prefer to hold. Continue reading...

Society

4 w. ago Your savings are not safe. These are the nasty tricks providers are using to catch you out

The Bank of England is widely expected to cut the base rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4 per cent tomorrow, the lowest rate since March 2023.

Politics