6 h. ago Surge in firms using loans to pay tax bills amid April increases

Billions of pounds of tax and VAT payments are set to be covered by credit and financing arrangements this year, according to Premium Credit.

Economics

37 h. ago Millions of households could pay £38 less a month on council tax bill under new changes

The average band D household would pay approximately £38 less each month if they paid over 12 months instead of ten, according to figures from the the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Economics

66 h. ago UK grocery watchdog investigating Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays; company insolvencies jump – business live

Groceries Code Adjudicator calls on suppliers to share their experiences of working with AmazonThe number of companies collapsing across England and Wales jumped last month, in a sign of the economic pressures hitting firms.There were 2,238 company insolvences in England and Wales during the month, which is 8% higher than in April and 15% more than in May 2024.“This latest rise in corporate insolvencies reflects the harsh reality many businesses face: fragile demand is not keeping pace with rising costs. Even the increasingly-likely prospect of rate cuts in August won’t do much to fix this – insolvency levels will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.“Sectors like hospitality are having a particularly challenging time in this environment, in no small part due to the impact on labour costs of April’s National Insurance and minimum wage increases. These businesses are now approaching what are some of their peak months and will be hoping for strong trading to bolster their resili...

Economics

4 d. ago New blow for Rachel Reeves as inflation stays at 3.4 per cent

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) means prices were still rising in May at a similar rate to April when a raft of bills increased for households up and down the country.

Economics

1 week ago Blow for Rachel Reeves as unemployment creeps up and wage growth slows on the eve of Chancellor's spending review

The rate of UK unemployment increased to 4.6 per cent in the three months to April, from 4.5 per cent in the three months to March, the Office for National Statistics said today.

Politics

2 w. ago Millions of Universal Credit claimants set for bigger payments from this week

The annual uprating to benefits took place on April 7 with Universal Credit payments increasing by 1.7% - however, the higher rates only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that started on or after that date

Economics

3 w. ago DWP universal credit and benefits to rise in June for some after delays

A list of benefits were increased in April but many have yet to see the new higher rates

Politics