72 m. ago UK’s FTSE 100 share index hits record closing high despite economy shrinking in April – business live

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumped.. but FTSE 100 ends at new record closeFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, t...

Economics

92 m. ago Finance convener calls on Scottish Government to ensure North Lanarkshire benefits from Chancellor’s spending review

Councillor Andrew Duffy-Lawson has urged the government at Holyrood to ensure that North Lanarkshire receives its fair share of the recently announced investment in Scottish public services as a result of the announcement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Politics

2 h. ago Salford riot broke out after funeral for teen killed in crash as bricks hurled

A dispersal order was put in place after around 50 to 60 people gathered from around 1.30pm in Salford, as people were using cars and wheelie bins to block off a road

Events

2 h. ago Stagecoach bus drivers in from across the UK to cover Ayrshire strikes

Bus drivers have been brought in to help Stagecoach provide some services across Ayrshire while six weeks of strikes are ongoing.

Events

3 h. ago Motherwell boss has 'strong authority', as his Copenhagen gaffer praises appointment

Jens Berthel Askou will take up the reins at Fir Park next week

Culture

4 h. ago Man remains in hospital after Cardiff Central station incident

Emergency services attended the scene which saw services cancelled and the station shut for a time

Politics

5 h. ago Motherwell appoint new boss after 'rigorous process' to name Michael Wimmer's successor

Jens Berthel Askou will take up the reins at Fir Park next week

Politics

5 h. ago First crash of Boeing’s 787 model comes weeks after $1.1bn 737 Max payout

Air India tragedy comes after firm agreed US justice department payment to avoid prosecution over 2018 and 2019 crashesAir India plane crash – latest updatesThe Air India tragedy in Ahmedabad is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed since the plane’s introduction in 2011.While airlines using the Boeing plane have had widespread problems with engines on the 787 – resulting in many having to ground planes and reduce flights – its safety record in service has so far been good. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Jens Berthel Askou named Motherwell manager as ex Copenhagen No. 2 wins battle for Fir Park job

The Copenhagen number two has succeeded Michael Wimmer at Fir Park

Society

5 h. ago Netflix fans promise to cancel subscription as 'awful' update makes it '1000x worse'

The popular streaming service has recently rolled out a new version of its interface

Politics

6 h. ago Air India crash: First major incident involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The wide-bodied Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been in service for 14 years.

Events

6 h. ago Dreamliner planes had clean safety record until Ahmedabad crash

The aircraft type, which entered service in 2011, is described by Boeing as ‘the bestselling passenger widebody of all time’.

Events

6 h. ago Johnstone bus firm enters liquidation as firm's boss reveals 'great sadness'

Johnstone and Area Community Transport announced that it will no longer be able to operate services three and nine after “rising costs and cash flow problems”.

Economics

6 h. ago Air India plane crash facts: Death toll, mayday call, theories and 53 Brits on board

Air India confirmed the nationalities of the passengers as the death toll skyrocketed from three to 110 as the emergency services battle to control the situation and rush the injured to hospitals - so what do we know

Events

6 h. ago Largest ever plunge in UK exports to US as Trump tariffs hurt growth; dollar hits three

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumpedFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, to allow still troubling earnings growth ...

Politics

6 h. ago NHS waiting lists at lowest for 2 years as service may have 'turned the tide'

New NHS data for England shows 7.39 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of April, down from 7.42 million the previous month

Politics

7 h. ago How to reach Oasis Cardiff gigs as Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway confirm plans

Extra rail services will be put in place for the Principality Stadium start of Oasis's sell-out tour

Politics

7 h. ago AD FEATURE: "Participating in the NatWest Baton Relay is an opportunity to raise much

Read on to discover how one inspiring NatWest Cymru colleague is raising vital funds for the Welsh Ambulance Service

Politics

8 h. ago Plan to demolish part of Dalston's Kingsland Shopping Centre and build "massive" tower blocks prompts backlash from residents

The project could see 254 homes built, but the applicant has admitted it will not meet Hackney Council's affordable housing policy

Economics

9 h. ago Clean bill of health after unannounced spot check at Ayrshire care home

South Ayrshire Council-run Hillcrest Residential Unit Care Home Service, in the town’s McConnell Square, was graded ‘very good’ and ‘good’ across three quality indicators.

Society