7 h. ago Tories to ditch business rates for pubs and shops if they win election

Sir Mel Stride made the commitment as he addressed the Conservative Party conference

Politics

8 h. ago Tories must ‘hold nerve’ amid dire polls, says Mel Stride as he makes big announcement on business rates

The shadow chancellor insisted the Conservative Party could bounce back at the next election

Politics

4 d. ago Reeves poised to back down on higher business rates for UK retailers

Policy change expected in Budget after the sector said higher charges would push up food inflation for consumers

Politics

1 week ago 'Rachel Reeves must protect shops and people who work in them in the Budget'

Usdaw General Secretary Joanne Thomas and Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, have issued a joint appeal to Chancellor to protect shops from business rates

Economics

1 week ago Brits brace for cost of living crisis 2.0: Fears 5% inflation and tax hikes in autumn Budget will send food bills skyrocketing this winter

Millions of families face further rises in food prices if Chancellor Rachel Reeves presses ahead with plans to hit big shops with higher business rates, industry experts warned today.

Economics

1 week ago Britain could 'lose the war on inflation': Higher business rates 'to push up food prices', retail bosses warn Reeves

The BRC said the Chancellor 'risks losing the battle against inflation' if she pushes ahead with plans to raise taxes on around 4,000 shops.

Economics

1 week ago Trump’s Fed pick doubles down on calls to aggressively cut interest rates

Stephen Miran says rates should be below 3% by end of year and dismisses fears of US president’s tariffs stoking inflationStephen Miran, Donald Trump’s new appointee on the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate-setting board, has doubled down on his calls for the central bank to more aggressively cut interest rates.Last week, the Fed cut interest rates by a quarter point, bringing rates down to a range of 4% to 4.25% – the lowest it’s been since early 2023. Out of 12 voting board members, Miran was the only one to vote against the crowd. He wanted a half-point cut, not a quarter-point cut. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Bank of England holds UK interest rates at 4% amid inflation concerns as mortgage holders given warning

MPC vote latest along with stock market news plus business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

2 w. ago Bank of England holds UK interest rates at 4% amid inflation concerns as mortgage holders issued warning

MPC vote latest along with stock market news plus business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

2 w. ago Interest rates held at 4% as UK ‘not out of woods’ on inflation

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep rates unchanged, following a 0.25 percentage point cut in August.

Economics

2 w. ago Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% amid inflation concerns as mortgage holders issued warning

MPC vote latest along with stock market news plus business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

2 w. ago Interest rates live: Bank of England expected to vote for hold at 4% amid ongoing inflation concerns

MPC vote latest along with stock market news plus business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

2 w. ago Federal Reserve cuts US interest rates for first time since December

Central bank moves to set rates at range between 4 and 4.25% but decision unlikely to satisfy Donald TrumpThe US Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday, its first rate cut since December, as the central bank moved to stabilize a wobbling labor market even as Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to push up prices.Rates are now at a range of 4% to 4.25% – the lowest since November 2022. But the decision is unlikely to satisfy Trump, who has lambasted the Fed for acting “too late” and called for a far bigger cut. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for first time in nearly a year, from 4.25% to 4% – live updates

Quarter point reduction comes amid concern of political pressure on the independent central bank from the Trump administrationIn economic projections released after the Fed’s rate-cute decision, members of the Fed’s board submitted their economic predictions for the economy over the next few years.A slight majority of board members seem to expect another rate cut by the end of the year, while a majority see more rate cuts in 2026. Board members are predicting a slight increase in unemployment, though they seem to think that inflation will largely cool in 2026 and 2027. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago UK inflation rate: what is it, latest September 2025 ONS figures news as food prices rise – what does it mean?

Household bills keep climbing as food, energy, and everyday costs squeeze wallets 🛒

Economics

2 w. ago UK inflation: What a steady 3.8% rate means for interest rates and mortgages

“While inflation is no longer rising, it doesn’t make another rate cut any likelier this year” – Kevin Brown, Scottish Friendly

Economics

2 w. ago UK overall inflation remains at 3.8% in August, but food price growth climbs for fifth month in a row

Food prices rise at fastest rate since January 2024 with vegetables, milk, cheese and fish going up; Bank of England expected to keep interest rates on hold on ThursdayAt 3.8%, the latest UK inflation data certainly isn’t welcome news for the Bank of England ahead of its decision on Thursday, where it’s widely expected to leave rates on hold, said James Smith, developed markets UK economist at ING.Yet the latest data doesn’t dramatically move the needle one way or another on the prospect of a further rate cut later this year.Inflation is more or less at a peak, though it’s likely to stay in the 3.5-4% area for the rest of this year.However, we think there is still scope for services inflation to undershoot the Bank’s forecasts further in the next release for September. And more broadly, we are seeing a significant easing in rental growth, which is set to be a significant source of service sector disinflation over the coming months.If we’re right about that, it would tip the balance ...

Economics

2 w. ago UK inflation rate: Rising price of milk, beef and coffee hits shoppers in new cost

Some of the biggest price rises seen in everyday staples as economists fear food inflation could peak towards the end of the year

Economics

3 w. ago Primark boss issues high street warning to Keir Starmer as 'anchor stores' under threat

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) warned on Friday that 400 large-format stores are at risk if they were included in the Government's new business rates surtax

Events

3 w. ago Interest rates could remain at 4% until 2026, economists say

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee will announce its latest decision on Thursday.

Politics