3 h. ago Royal Mail returns to profit for first time since £3.6bn 'Czech Sphinx' takeover

Royal Mail has returned an underlying profit for the first time in three years as bosses hailed an 'important milestone in the company's turnaround'.

Economics

5 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

5 h. ago Royal Mail move to scrap second class post on Saturdays to take ‘many months’

Royal Mail said it had started ‘detailed work’ ahead of rolling out the changes nationwide, but that it will continue well into 2026.

Politics

6 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

7 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: Defence stocks lift index, house price growth slows

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

7 h. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

8 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEuropean Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has weighed in on the crisis in France, saying that any risk of a government falling in the euro zone is “worrying”.Speaking to broadcaster Radio Classique, Lagarde said France is not currently in a situation that would need the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to intervene. Continue reading...

Economics

8 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: House price growth slows, Alibaba shares jump

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

8 h. ago Business news live: UK house prices fall with ‘market ‘struggling’ after stamp duty change

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Monday

Economics

9 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house price drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNationwide also expects income growth to continues to outpace house price growth.That would mean that housing affordability should continue to improve, if gradually.Borrowing costs are likely to moderate a little further if Bank Rate is lowered again in the coming quarters.This should support buyer demand, especially since household balance sheets are strong and labour market conditions are expected to remain solid. Continue reading...

Economics

52 h. ago Privacy advice issued to all Facebook users as people say they 'had no idea'

Facebook users are claiming they had no idea the social network's parent company, Meta, could access a certain feature on their phones - here's how to check if you're affected

Politics

3 d. ago Royal Mail owner set to return to profit in first figures since £3.6bn takeover

Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group completed its takeover of Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services in June.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Tax raid fears hit banking shares, US inflation data in focus

FTSE 100 banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider tax raid on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Banking stocks hit by levy fears, US inflation data in focus

Banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider hiking a windfall tax on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Call for bank levy, US inflation data in focus

Stock market sentiment will be tested later when figures in the US show the impact of tariffs on the prices of goods and services.

Economics

4 d. ago Royal Mail unveils 'postboxes of the future' with innovative new feature

Royal Mail has unveiled its new 'postboxes of the future' featuring solar panel scanners that it says will make the process of sending small parcels 'much easier'

Politics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in Fed battle; US growth revised higher amid AI boom – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Honeysuckle owner charged with conspiracy offences after ‘international investigation’

Kenny Alexander, owner of the two-time Champion Hurdle winner, is one of 11 individuals charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with offences relating to the provision of gambling services to Turkey when he was boss of GVC Holdings, then parent company of Ladbrokes and Coral

Events

4 d. ago 'Postboxes of the future' unveiled as Royal Mail show off one brand new feature

Royal Mail is getting a makeover, with 3,500 of its postboxes receiving a revamp to make it 'even easier' to send smaller packages thanks to clever new technology

Politics

4 d. ago Royal Mail unveils 'postboxes of the future' with one very different feature

Royal Mail is giving 3,500 of its postboxes across the country a 'glow-up' to make it 'even easier' to send small parcels using solar power technology on scanners

Politics