46 m. ago Time for an emergency budget? Rachel Reeves facing fresh turmoil after GDP falls again

Sparking further warnings of a tax raid this autumn, the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.1 per cent.

Economics

12 h. ago Rachel Reeves says May’s fall in GDP is ‘disappointing’; Trump tariffs knock markets – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

14 h. ago Business news live: Rachel Reeves reacts to ‘disappointing’ GDP figures, more lenders join sub

Stock markets updates and business news from Friday

Politics

14 h. ago Reeves ‘disappointed’ after UK economy unexpectedly shrinks for second month in a row

It followed a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, when US president Donald Trump announced tariffs

Politics

14 h. ago Rachel Reeves says GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

15 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month in a row – business live

Latest economic report shows UK GDP fell by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.Full story: UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel ReevesUS will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatli...

Economics

16 h. ago UK on recession alert: Tax hike fears mount as GDP FALLS for the second month in a row

The grim figures heap pressure on the Chancellor, who has been hoping that growth can help her balance the government books.

Economics

16 h. ago Business news live: Economy figures ‘disappointing’ says Rachel Reeves, more lenders join sub

Stock markets updates and business news from Friday

Economics

16 h. ago Rachel Reeves say GDP figures ‘are disappointing’ after UK economy shrinks for second month running – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayChancellor Rachel Reeves has described the latest GDP figures as “disappointing”.Following this morning’s news that the UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May, Reeves points to the government’s efforts to support households financially:“Getting more money in people’s pockets is my number one mission. While today’s figures are disappointing, I am determined to kickstart economic growth and deliver on that promise.“The choices we have made in our first year in government have seen us extend the £3 bus fare cap, fund Free School Meals for over half a million more children, press ahead with plans to deliver free breakfast clubs for every child in the country and increase the National Minimum and National Living Wage, giving a pay rise to 3 million workers.“Flatlining growth in May highlights the ongoing pressures facing the UK ec...

Economics

16 h. ago UK economy shrinks unexpectedly by 0.1% in blow to Rachel Reeves

May’s fall in GDP fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and constructionAnalysis: Fall in UK GDP puts focus back on expectations of tax rises in autumn budgetBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s economy unexpectedly shrank in May, fuelled by sharp declines in manufacturing and construction, in a blow for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, amid speculation over tax increases.The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product fell by 0.1% in May, missing City predictions of a 0.1% monthly expansion. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago 'Ticking tax timebomb' warning as UK economy shrinks 0.1% in May in fresh blow to Rachel Reeves

The City had expected a 0.1% rise in GDP

Events

17 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month in a row after unexpected slump in May

It followed a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, when US president Donald Trump announced tariffs

Politics

17 h. ago UK economy shrunk 0.1% in May, ONS reveals in blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Analysts had forecast a 0.1% rise in GDP in May

Politics

17 h. ago UK on recession alert: Fresh blow for Rachel Reeves as GDP FALLS for the second month in a row with 0.1% drop in May

The grim figures heap pressure on the Chancellor, who has been hoping that growth can help her balance the government books.

Events

17 h. ago UK economy shrinks for second month running in May – business live

UK GDP falls by 0.1% in May, following 0.3% fall in April.US will impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports, Trump says in letterFTSE 100 hit record high on ThursdayThe pound has dropped against the US dollar, as investors react to this morning’s worse-than-expected GDP report.Sterling has lost a third of a cent to $1.354, a drop of 0.2%.“The economy contracted slightly in May with notable falls in production and construction, only partially offset by growth in services. However, across the latest three months as a whole, the economy still grew. This reflected strength earlier in the year that resulted, in part, from some activity being brought forward to February and March.“May’s fall in production was driven by oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading...

Economics

39 h. ago Business news live: UK inflation update, plus bitcoin and FTSE 100 hits new record highs

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

40 h. ago Business news live: UK inflation set to stay unchanged and Royal Mail to scrap second

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

41 h. ago Business news live: UK economic activity revealed and Nvidia set record as world’s first $4tn company

Stock markets updates and business news from Thursday

Economics

58 h. ago Business news live: Housebuilders pay £100m after investigation and Rachel Reeves sent Cash ISA plea

Stock markets updates and business news from Wednesday

Economics

60 h. ago Bank of England says UK banks can increase riskier mortgage lending – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as BoE recommends banks can issue more high loan-to-income level loansCopper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariffTrump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff ratesCarsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, says the copper tariffs will be inflationary domestically in the US and deflationary internationally – which matches the price action we’ve seen since last night.Menke also points out that the jump in US copper prices (13% yesterday) is less than the 50% tariff, implying traders expect some imports will be exempt, saying:President Trump announced the imposition of 50% import tariffs at a cabinet meeting yesterday. While US-traded futures jumped on the news, the price differential is well below the tariff level, pointing to expectations of exemptions for key suppliers or expectations of different demand dynamics.As already mentioned, we remain of the con...

Economics