16 h. ago Are you worried about 'Awful April'? Take our poll as bills set to rise

April is bringing a wave of price hikes across the UK - from council tax to energy bills. With costs rising and wages stagnating, we're asking if you're worried

Politics

29 h. ago Almost half of Scots worried about energy bills as price cap rises, poll finds

The poll found that 46% of people are concerned about their ability to pay for gas or electricity.

Economics

3 d. ago US consumer confidence hit by tariff fears; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Tariff uncertainty risks ‘significant economic damage’; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago China’s Xi urges global CEOs to protect trade supply chains; UK’s 2024 growth revised higher, but households hoard cash – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Players’ body hits out at ‘confusing’ schedule and wants Nations League of cricket

World Cricketers’ Association calls for reform of calendarWCA also wants modernisation of global governing bodyThe World Cricketers’ Association has called for reform of the global calendar and of the International Cricket Council, the world game’s governing body, describing the current schedule as “chaotic and confusing”.In a report published on Wednesday, based on interviews with 64 stakeholders including the Australia Test captain, Pat Cummins and England’s Jos Buttler, the WCA demanded that the ICC be “modernised” to “ensure it is fit for purpose to lead the global game”, criticising its “lack of centralised global leadership”. Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago Kent awarded framework contract to support UK government’s energy transition

Kent, a global leader in engineering and energy transition solutions, has been awarded a place on the UK government’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) ENZPS Framework to provide strategic advisory and engineering services.

Politics

5 d. ago The global leaders rising in the polls as they battle Donald Trump

From Canada to Ukraine, populations rally behind leaders seeking to fend off the US president’s threats

Politics

6 d. ago Trump administration claims details of mass deportations are state secrets

Justice department avoids providing US judge information on expulsions of Venezuelan immigrants to El SalvadorThe Trump administration invoked the “state secrets” privilege to avoid providing more information to a federal judge regarding this month’s highly contentious immigrant expulsions to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.The administration’s invocation of the privilege is a further escalation in Donald Trump’s immigration-related battle against the federal judiciary. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves under pressure as poll finds support for tax rises for the rich over spending cuts

Oxfam Scotland said it was "indefensible" to cut payments for the poorest people in society.

Economics

7 d. ago The YouGov poll that shows Scots back tax rises for the richest

A poll by YouGov found 68 per cent think the richest should pay more

Politics

8 d. ago ‘Bold but significant risk’: Fifa pulling out all the stops to sell Club World Cup

With ticket sales slow and concerns over burnout, football’s governing body is battling to win hearts and mindsThis week president Donald Trump convened a prayer meeting in the Oval Office. Gathered around the Resolute desk, constructed from the timbers of a British naval vessel, a series of pastors laid their hands on the president’s thinning hair and prayed for his success. The only other item on the desk? The enormous intricate bauble that will serve as the trophy for Fifa’s Club World Cup.That Trump should like the look of an object lacquered in 24-carat gold plating, and designed by the New York jewellers Tiffany & Co, is not perhaps a huge surprise. But its prominent position on the world’s most consequential desktop will surely also have been welcomed by the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, who left the trophy with Trump this month on his visit to the White House, a week after Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago US rejects Mexico’s request for water as Trump opens new battle front

State department turns down special request to supply city of Tijuana in drought-affected north for first time everThe United States has refused a request by Mexico for water, alleging shortfalls in sharing by its southern neighbor, as Donald Trump ramps up a battle on another front.The state department said on Thursday it was the first time that the United States had rejected a request by Mexico for special delivery of water, which would have gone to the border city of Tijuana. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago SVL Business Solutions achieves NICE platinum partner status

SVL Business Solutions, one of the UK’s leading contact centre solutions providers, has been awarded Platinum Partner status by NICE, a global leader in AI-powered CX technology.

Politics

1 week ago Coe feels ‘momentum’ but IOC presidential race remains on knife

Vote on next IOC president to take place on ThursdaySamaranch Jr, Coventry and Coe the leading contendersSebastian Coe feels he has momentum as the race to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee reaches its final hours. Most experts believe the seven-strong contest to be the next leader of global sport is on a knife-edge, with Coe one of the “big three” alongside the Spaniard Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who is the favourite, and Kirsty Coventry, whowould be the first female president of the IOC.However, Lord Coe struck an upbeat message after meeting many of the 98 voters who will decide his fate before the vote on Thursday afternoon. “I feel there is momentum,” he said. “I have enjoyed the campaign and the discussions I have had. I have listened a lot and I’ve heard about what members are concerned about and what they would like to change. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago 'One of the world's most dangerous terrorists' killed in 'impressive victory' over ISIS

Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was dubbed "deputy caliph" of the militant group ISIS, and was reportedly being groomed for global leader

Events

2 w. ago MEASLES SURGE: Cases of deadly virus rocket to highest level in 25 years

Global health leaders said rates on the continent had doubled in the last year alone, with low uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine threatening to further the spread.

Events

3 w. ago Almost half of young people 'trust' social media about politics despite the rise of fake news, poll reveals

A survey of 2,500 11 to 25-year-olds (pictured, file photo) by the Electoral Commission found 44 per cent think social media is trustworthy when it comes to learning about politics.

Politics

4 w. ago What's causing the huge rise in autism: From mothers' hormone levels to severe morning sickness, vitamin deficiency and even air pollution, we examine all the theories behind the 800% increase

Mason Connor (pictured), a non-verbal autistic child in Arizona, made headlines around the world recently when he uttered his first words days after taking leucovorin.

Politics

4 w. ago Starmer’s diplomatic flurry puts him at centre of attempts to shape Ukraine

PM’s decision to bring forward Zelenskyy meeting and forge Franco-British peace plan shows UK can still play global leadership role Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesAs Keir Starmer and his aides huddled to discuss their response to Friday’s calamitous White House meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the prime minister’s team pondered whether to issue a statement on social media.Already messages of support were flooding in for the Ukrainian president from other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron of France and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Continue reading...

Politics