9 h. ago Trump’s ‘liberation day’ is here. What do his tariffs mean for Americans?

Economists fear the president’s escalating trade war could have a damaging ripple effect that drives up prices

Politics

22 h. ago SNP urges Rachel Reeves to 'change course' as benefit cuts risks 'social and economic damage'

Shona Robison spoke out after the UK Chancellor last week announced nearly £5 billion in benefit cuts by the end of the decade.

Events

26 h. ago Westminster decisions ‘risk serious social and economic damage’, says Robison

The Finance Secretary said the Scottish Government would push UK ministers to ‘change course’.

Events

33 h. ago Trump tariffs will damage UK economy, Reeves tells Cabinet amid job loss fears

Sir Keir Starmer admits UK unlikely to be spared from sweeping measures to be announced by Donald Trump

Economics

5 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

7 d. ago The terrifying magnet trend putting children's lives at risk: Urgent warning over terrifying social media craze that burns holes in youngster's bowels and leaves them with stoma bags for life

Pressure is mounting for tighter rules over the sale of magnetic toys including balls and beads which are increasingly putting in peril youngsters who swallow them.

Events

7 d. ago Tackling climate crisis will increase economic growth, OECD research finds

Third of global GDP could be lost this century if climate crisis runs unchecked, says reportTaking strong action to tackle the climate crisis will increase countries’ economic growth, rather than damage their finances as critics of net zero policies have claimed, research from the world’s economic watchdog has found.Setting ambitious targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and setting out the policies to achieve them, would result in a net gain to global GDP by the end of the next decade, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in a joint report with the UN Development Programme. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago DIY fans risk death following social media tutorials for hazardous jobs

A new study has found more than half of Brits have tried to install an electrical wall socket or switch after watching a guide on social media such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok

Events

9 d. ago Spring statement latest: Tories warn Reeves will usher in new era of austerity after ‘terrible’ Budget damaged economy

Rachel Reeves to deliver Spring Statement this week

Events

1 week ago Damage from Thames Water debacle extends to the wider economy

Investors, as well as consumers, need regulators with teeth to ensure fair competition and rules

Events

2 w. ago Australian PM dares influencer who took wombat to ‘see how you go with a baby crocodile’

Sam Jones is at risk of losing her visa after sparking outrage with the social media video stunt

Politics

2 w. ago Australian PM dares US influencer who took wombat to ‘see how you go with a baby crocodile’

Sam Jones is at risk of losing her visa after sparking outrage with the social media video stunt

Politics

3 w. ago 'I risked heat stroke covering up my size 26 body – now I'm proud of my curves'

Julia Sena, 30, who recently claimed people say she's 'heading to an early grave' due to her size on social media, says she was once so self-conscious she'd risk heat stroke covering up her body

Events

3 w. ago US exits fund that compensates poorer countries for global heating

Trump pulls out of Cop28 loss and damage deal that recognises harms done by richer, polluting economies to vulnerable nationsThe Trump administration has withdrawn the US from a global agreement under which developed nations most responsible for the climate crisis pledged to partly compensate developing countries for irreversible harms caused by global heating.The loss and damage fund was agreed at the Cop28 UN climate summit in Dubai – a hard-won victory after years of diplomatic and grassroots advocacy by developing nations that bear the brunt of the climate crisis despite having contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions. The fund signalled a commitment by developed, polluting countries to provide financial support for some of the irreversible economic and noneconomic losses from sea level rise, desertification, drought and floods already happening. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago European Central Bank cuts interest rates for second time this year

Quarter-point cut to deposit rate, to 2.5%, comes as Europe fears Trump will soon impose tariffs on EU exports to USBusiness live – latest updatesThe European Central Bank has cut interest rates across the 20-member eurozone for the second time this year to bolster economic activity, as Europe braces for Donald Trump to impose damaging tariffs on EU exports to the US.The Frankfurt-based rate setter cut its benchmark deposit rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.5%, in line with City economist expectations, as Trump prepares to impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from the EU, in line with similar actions taken against Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...

Politics