29 h. ago Trump’s policies set to cool growth and lift inflation, economists say

FT-Booth survey also signals rising concerns over quality of US economic data

Economics

29 h. ago Bundestag prepares to vote on historic borrowing package in key test for Merz

Likely next chancellor needs two-thirds majority to back €500bn infrastructure fund and relaxation of debt rulesGermany’s likely next chancellor is to face a key vote on plans to unlock a record level of state borrowing, which he argues is necessary to boost the country’s military spending and inject growth into its ailing economy.Ahead of the crucial Bundestag vote on Tuesday, Friedrich Merz has faced a barrage of complaints from the opposition and from within his own ranks that he is not coupling the historic levels of spending planned – as much as €1tn (£840bn) – to demands for reform. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago From contactless limits to mortgages: What plans to cut red tape mean for your wallet

The Government is aiming to reduce duplication by different bodies and help drive economic growth

Politics

44 h. ago What could the Government’s plans to ‘cut red tape’ mean for households?

The Government is aiming to reduce duplication by different bodies and help drive economic growth.

Politics

47 h. ago Fresh blow to Reeves as UK’s economic forecast slashed amid warnings over Trump’s trade war

The UK’s economic forecast has been downgraded, once again dashing the government’s hopes of reviving Britain’s spluttering economy

Events

48 h. ago OECD cuts UK growth forecasts as Reeves grapples with weak economy

Downgrade comes ahead of Spring Statement, when official forecasts are expected to show much weaker GDP outlook

Politics

48 h. ago Trump trade wars are slowing global growth and fuelling inflation, says OECD

Economic organisation downgrades forecasts for growth in UK as well as US, Canada and Mexico due to tariffsBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s trade wars are splintering the global economy and unpicking progress made to reboot growth and tackle inflation, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned.In its latest update on the health of the world economy, the leading Paris-based institution downgraded the prospects for global growth this year and next, including a sharp hit to activity in the US, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...

Politics

57 h. ago Reeves launches new bonfire of regulations in bid to boost economic growth

Regulators have been summoned to Downing Street on Monday for meeting with the chancellor amid plans to slim down or abolish the bodies

Economics

57 h. ago Reeves to outline plan to cut regulation costs and boost growth

Chancellor will meet regulators after calling for action to restrict their scope in bid to save businesses billionsRachel Reeves will meet UK regulators on Monday after calling for more action to restrict red tape and spur economic growth.The chancellor argued that government plans would reduce costly delays and disputes, saving businesses billions, and said regulators must accept a more streamlined decision-making process. Continue reading...

Politics

66 h. ago US shoppers tighten their belts as economic outlook concerns mount

Tariffs, market volatility and political uncertainty threaten to undermine key driver of growth in world’s largest economy

Economics

68 h. ago Trump says the economy ‘went to hell’ under Biden. The opposite is true

By standard measures such as job and GDP growth and the stock market, the US economy was in excellent shapeNever miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in real time.Donald Trump keeps saying he inherited a terrible economy from Joe Biden and many Americans believe him, even though that’s not true. During his White House marketing event for Tesla on Tuesday, Trump said the US and its economy “went to hell” under Biden. Last week, in his national address to Congress, Trump said: “We inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare.”But the truth is that by standard economic measures, the US economy was in excellent shape when Biden turned over the White House keys to Trump, even though most Americans, upset about inflation, told pollsters the economy was in poor shape. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Labour councillor defects to Conservatives after six years, arguing that the party “will not deliver economic growth”

Cllr Shiva Tiwari told colleagues he was switching sides to the Tories after nearly seven years as a Labour councillor

Economics

4 d. ago Who is Mark Carney, former central banker, who is replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister of Canada?

Carney has promised to stand up for Canada amid brewing trade war with Trump and speed up sluggish growth in national economy

Politics

4 d. ago Clock is ticking for 'Lettuce 2.0' Rachel Reeves after economy shrunk in January

Rachel Reeves' economic growth plans are at risk following confirmation that GDP contracted by 0.1%, after most economists predicted a 0.1% growth

Politics

4 d. ago Will the UK enter a recession after Britain’s GDP shrinks unexpectedly?

GDP unexpectedly fell in the first month of 2025

Politics

5 d. ago Shrinking economy offers unhelpful backdrop for Rachel Reeves’s growth push

GDP goes in wrong direction as chancellor puts final touches to fiscal plansUK economy shrinks unexpectedly in blow to ReevesFor a government that has made growth its overriding mission, the 0.1% decline in GDP in January signalled by the Office for National Statistics will be depressing news.As Rachel Reeves prepares to announce her spring statement on 26 March, the economy appears to be going in the wrong direction – underlining the fact that the Office for Budget Responsibility is likely to have presented her with notably weaker forecasts than in October. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago City fears recession after shock 0.1% fall in GDP in January

Manufacturing and North Sea oil and gas production see big falls in output

Events

5 d. ago Reeves suffers major setback from surprise 0.2% fall in GDP in January

Manufacturing and North Sea oil and gas production see big falls in output

Politics

5 d. ago UK economy contracts in January amid faltering production sector

The latest economic figures for January came after a surprise leap in growth before Christmas.

Politics

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves unveils £2bn boost for UK defence sector amid 'new era of security'

Chancellor in Scotland to announce move aimed at “strengthening our national defence, kickstarting economic growth and delivering the stability we need to keep us safe”

Economics