15 h. ago Fed starts to split on when to begin cutting US interest rates

Pressure from Donald Trump and concerns over economic growth open schism among central bank’s officials

Politics

19 h. ago Wimbledon raise price of iconic strawberries and cream for the first time in 15 YEARS

EXCLUSIVE BY MATTHEW LAMBWELL: The All England Club have taken great pride in freezing the price of strawberries at £2.50 per portion since 2010, but that will increase for 2025.

Politics

32 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

46 h. ago Interest rates – live: Bank of England holds rate amid oil and inflation concerns

Rate remains at 4.25 per cent as experts look to balance higher inflation with economic growth

Economics

59 h. ago Stagflation warning as Fed resists Trump's pressure and holds interest rates

The US Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Jay Powell (pictured), left rates at a range of 4.25-4.5% as it cut its forecasts for economic growth.

Events

63 h. ago Federal Reserve holds interest rates, defying Trump’s demand to lower them

Hours before the decision, the president called the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, ‘stupid’ for anticipated rate holdThe US Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold, but signaled it might make two cuts this year, as Donald Trump continues to break with precedent and demand lower rates.Policymakers at the American central bank lifted their projections for inflation this year, as the US president stands by his controversial tariff plans, and downgraded their estimates for economic growth. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago UK economic growth downgraded due to tariffs and cost hikes – CBI

Rising costs are set to cause ‘weak’ business investment and weigh on the Government’s ambitions to accelerate growth, the business group said.

Economics

5 d. ago How do I stop my pension being used to promote economic growth

I note Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the Mansion House Accord will 'boost pension pots', which ignores the downside risk. And I do not want to take part.

Economics

8 d. ago Voices: First the spending review, now the economy – what else lies in wait for Rachel Reeves?

Official figures showed UK plc plunged into the red in April, contracting by 0.3 per cent. There is no sugar-coating how bad of a result that is for the chancellor, writes James Moore

Economics

9 d. ago Blow for Rachel Reeves after UK economy shrinks by more than expected

The UK economy contracted by 0.3% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Politics

9 d. ago JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon warns national economy may soon ‘deteriorate’

Recent economic data shows both job growth and inflation slowed in May

Events

9 d. ago Rachel Reeves has given the Starmer administration a new narrative: Investment, growth and expansion

Editorial: Alongside the Brexit reset, new trade deals and planning reforms, the chancellor’s spending review should result in a stronger economy with a better long-term growth rate. But it will take time

Politics

9 d. ago There may be trouble ahead, but Labour should stick to the plan for national renewal

Editorial: With the Brexit reset, new trade deals and planning reforms, the chancellor’s spending review could result in a stronger economy with a better long-term growth rate. But it will take time

Events

9 d. ago Major pub chain forced to hike the cost of a pint by 15p after Labour's tax grab landed it with extra £8million staff costs

Fuller's says the rise in national insurance contributions (NICs) from last October's budget as well as the higher minimum wage from April has left the firm badly hit.

Economics

1 week ago Citing trade wars, the World Bank sharply downgrades forecast for global economic growth to 2.3%

President Donald Trump’s trade wars are expected to slash economic growth this year in the United States and around the world, the World Bank forecast Tuesday

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves must not ignore London's vital role as engine of the British economy

Investing in London isn’t about favouring one region over another, it’s about backing the entire country to succeed

Politics

2 w. ago ECB cuts interest rates to 2% in effort to bolster flagging eurozone growth

European Central Bank makes eighth quarter-point cut in a year as bloc reels from impact of Trump’s trade warsBusiness live – latest updatesThe European Central Bank has cut interest rates to 2% in an effort to boost flagging economic growth across the eurozone.The ECB, making its eighth quarter-point cut in a year, said the 20-member currency bloc needed a reduction in the cost of borrowing as it reeled from the damage caused by Donald Trump’s trade wars. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago 'Bigger pension pots for Britons': Chancellor says reforms will boost economic growth

Measures include a clampdown on schemes offering poor value for money, and creating 'mega' pension funds which can make better investment returns.

Economics

2 w. ago Eurozone interest rate cut expected; Tesla’s UK sales drop by a third – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe UK car market has returned to growth, new data shows, but sales of Teslas have fallen by a third.Overall car registrations rose by 1.6% in May, to 150,070 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That’s the strongest May for new car sales since 2021, but 18% below pre-Covid levels. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s investment plans: sugaring the bitter pill of austerity | Editorial

The chancellor is right to be planning for the long term, but voters won’t be patient if change isn’t felt soonInequality between British regions is not a new problem and Rachel Reeves is not the first chancellor to want to close the gap. In 2014, George Osborne promised a “northern powerhouse” to rival the dominance of London and the south-east. He pledged devolution and investment in infrastructure to connect northern cities, to unlock productivity and growth.Since then, Britain’s economy has suffered multiple shocks, some external (the pandemic, inflation stoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), others self-inflicted (Brexit, Liz Truss’s mini-budget). Each time, the damage was more severe in places already falling behind. Boris Johnson claimed levelling up as his defining purpose. Rishi Sunak let the ambition slide. Now it is being revived by a Labour chancellor. In a speech announcing transport investments on Wednesday, Ms Reeves promised a “renewal of Britain”, with prosperity ...

Politics