4 d. ago So much for Labour's growth drive! Economy flatlines clawing back just 0.1% in August after going into reverse in July

The UK economy expanded by 0.1 per cent in August after a downwardly revised contraction of 0.1 per cent in July, the Office for National Statistics said today.

Politics

5 d. ago German retirees who continue working set to earn €2,000 a month tax

Active pension scheme expected to start in January is part of chancellor’s ‘autumn of reforms’ to tackle economic stagnationGermans who continue in the labour market beyond retirement age will be able to earn up to €2,000 (£1,750) a month tax-free on top of their pension under a scheme aimed at boosting economic growth and labour force participation rates.The “Aktivrente”, or active pension scheme, due to come into force in January, was promised on the campaign trail by the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, before he came into office five months ago. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago The Guardian view on the IMF’s warning: Britain’s economy runs hot for profits, cold for pay | Editorial

Labour is misreading the economics – leaving it unable to deal with the G7’s worst inflation and flat living standardBloomberg’s headline said it all: “UK Faces Worst G-7 Inflation and Flat Living Standards, IMF Says”. The International Monetary Fund warns that inflation will be higher in the UK than in any other major advanced economy – including in the US, where Donald Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs for American consumers. This while GDP growth per head crawls at 0.4%, the weakest of any major economy. Real wages have stagnated for 11 months. Meanwhile, official figures show that unemployment has climbed to 4.8%, the highest since spring 2021. Forget talk of Britain’s “upgraded growth”; the economy, under Labour, is running hot only for those collecting profits.The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) projects that by 2029 average disposable incomes will be £570 lower than today, a fall of 1.3% – the sharpest drop in living standards since records began in 1961. This isn’t a sim...

Events

6 d. ago The true cost of Labour: Britain faces highest inflation in G7 but lags behind on growth, warns IMF... while unemployment hits a four

In a setback for Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget next month, the global watchdog forecast UK inflation of 3.4 per cent this year and 2.5 per cent in 2026.

Events

6 d. ago Labour's Plan B on growth bulldozers! Desperate Rachel Reeves hopes slashing more planning rules can ease Budget crisis

Fresh additions to the Government's flagship planning Bill are aimed at speeding up the building of new water reservoirs, onshore wind farms and large housing schemes.

Events

1 week ago Government plans to axe public notices ‘devastating’ for local news, editors say

Ministers are looking at removing the requirement for printed statutory notices as part of a wider drive to slash ‘red tape’ and boost the economy.

Politics

3 w. ago Labour needs economic growth before it can build fiscal trust

The fate of Starmer’s government rests on the economy — but an obsessive pursuit of financial prudence could undermine it

Economics

3 w. ago Top Scottish Labour donor demands UK Government 'reset' and claims Keir Starmer has failed on economy

EXCLUSIVE: Lord Haughey said the Labour Government's policies on economic growth had not worked.

Politics