CBI downgrades forecast for UK economy after Budget December 6, 2024 The UK economy is set for slower than expected and “unimpressive” growth in 2025 thanks partly to punitive measures introduced in October’s Budget, a leading business group has predicted. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) now expects Britain’s economy to grow by just 1.5 per cent next year, it said in its latest economic forecast, [...]
UK economy to ‘grow twice as fast’ as Europe in 2025 December 5, 2024 The UK economy is set to grow twice as fast as its European counterparts next year thanks to the flurry of spending measures announced in October’s Budget, a top bank has forecast. Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) will increase by 1.4 per cent next year, analysts at ING said in the bank’s annual economic outlook, [...]
Barclays boss insists Budget has been a ‘success’ despite gloomy forecasts December 3, 2024 The chief executive of Barclays has said Rachel Reeves’s tax-raising Budget has been a “success” so far, arguing it will likely boost economic growth in the longer term despite a raft of gloomy forecasts. Speaking at the Financial Times’ Global Banking Summit on Tuesday, CS “Venkat” Venkatakrishnan said markets for government debt suggested the Autumn [...]
Tom Kerridge warns Budget tax hike will have ‘catastrophic’ effect on hospitality firms December 3, 2024 Tom Kerridge has warned that the government's tax hikes will have a "catastrophic" impact on many hospitality firms in the new year.
Topps Tiles hits back after major shareholder calls out ‘costly blunders’ December 2, 2024 Topps Tiles has hit back after a major shareholder called for an overall of its top team and strategy following a series of “costly blunders”. The London-listed company has issued a statement in the wake of the managing director of Austrian investment company MS Galleon, Piotr Lipko, writing to Topps Tiles’ chair Paul Forman last [...]
UK property market surges but warnings of Budget’s impact linger November 29, 2024 Transactions in the UK residential property hit over 100,000 in October but expects warn the full impact of the Budget has yet to be filtered in
Travelodge turns to robot vacuums amid budget hotel chain facing £21m costs hike November 28, 2024 Travelodge has revealed it is facing a £21m hike in costs in 2025 following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. The budget hotel group has warned it will see the increase because of the combined impact of another minimum wage hike in April as well as a higher rate of employer national insurance set to push up [...]
Dunelm boss: A rise in the living wage is good for our company November 27, 2024 The boss of Dunelm has said that an above-inflation increase to the minimum wage will have a positive effect on the home furnishings giant, despite a flurry of retailers decrying the increased bill. Dunelm chief executive Nick Wilkinson said that the resulting increase in consumer confidence – due to higher disposable income – will ripple [...]
‘Catastrophic’: Airports demand meeting with Rachel Reeves over business rates November 27, 2024 A draft letter from Airports UK, which represents over 50 airports in the UK, claims the industry will be forced to pay out more than £1bn.
Budget tax hikes branded a ‘land grab’ by retail tech boss November 25, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget was a “land grab” that demonstrated “short-term thinking” and will hamper the already struggling retail sector, the UK boss of a retail tech firm has said. Roy Horgan, who is the UK chief executive of Euronext-listed Vusion Group, said rises to employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) would be inflationary and prevent [...]