19 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Trump’s attack on Fed is ‘a serious danger’ – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Politics

20 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Profits surge at Royal Mail – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Economics

4 d. ago Lotus to cut 550 UK jobs amid auto industry ‘uncertainty’ including Trump tariffs

Production in Norfolk due to restart in early September but sportscar maker announces ‘restructuring proposal’Sportscar maker Lotus has confirmed it will cut 550 jobs in the UK as part of wider restructuring plans that will deliver a fresh blow to Britain’s automotive industry.Lotus, which has been struggling with a drop in sales and cash shortages, said it was necessary to slash 42% of its 1,300-strong UK workforce to “secure a sustainable future”, amid uncertainty sparked by factors including Donald Trump’s trade war. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Lotus to cut 550 UK jobs amid ‘uncertainty’ including Trump tariffs

Chinese-owned sportscar maker insists it is committed to Britain and will restart production in Norfolk in September The sportscar maker Lotus has confirmed it will cut 550 jobs in the UK as part of wider restructuring plans that will deliver a fresh blow to Britain’s automotive industry.Lotus, which has been struggling with a drop in sales and cash shortages, said it was necessary to cut 42% of its 1,300-strong UK workforce to “secure a sustainable future”, amid uncertainty sparked by factors including Donald Trump’s trade war. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Sports car maker Lotus plans to cut up to 550 jobs at Norfolk factory

The carmaker said the decision comes at a time of uncertainty for the sector amid Donald Trump’s tariff hikes in the US.

Politics

7 d. ago Postal services in Europe suspend parcel shipments to US amid uncertainty over tariffs

Donald Trump’s late announcement left operators with ‘extremely limited timeframe to get prepared’Postal services across Europe have suspended most parcel shipments to the US, citing widespread uncertainty about the impact of new import tariffs announced by Donald Trump.France’s La Poste on Monday joined other operators, including Germany’s Deutsche Post, Spain’s Correos, Poste Italiane and the Belgian, Swedish and Danish postal services, which all halted a majority of US-bound shipments over the weekend. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago People who get ‘Obamacare’ health insurance are set to see premiums jump by 18%, study finds

The hike is due to rising healthcare costs, inflation, uncertainty over federal policy changes and, potentially, President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to the analysis

Politics