UK CFOs set to cut hiring and slash investment following Budget January 13, 2025 Finance chiefs at UK businesses are focused on cutting costs in the wake of the Budget, with investment and hiring set to suffer as a result. Over half (52 per cent) of CFOs surveyed by Deloitte said cost reduction was a strong priority for their business in the wake of the Chancellor’s tax raid. The [...]
Stakes are high for UK economy ahead of crunch week of data January 13, 2025 The latest inflation figures, covering December, will be published on Wednesday before GDP figures for November will be released on Thursday.
Half of people with housing costs ‘starting 2025 worried about home or finances’ January 11, 2025 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld two complaints about the video, one saying it glamorised smoking and another about it not being clearly marked as an “ad”.
Reeves vows ‘action’ to meet fiscal rules amid rise in borrowing costs January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves has said she will “take action” to meet her fiscal rules following turbulence on the gilt markets. Increases in the Government’s borrowing costs have sparked concern that the Chancellor will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets, requiring either tax rises or deeper spending cuts when she delivers a fiscal statement [...]
Rachel Reeves says fiscal rules ‘non-negotiable’ during bid to boost ties with China January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves vowed to stand by her “non-negotiable” fiscal rules, as her mission to China was overshadowed by further turbulence in the gilt markets. Visiting bicycle-maker Brompton’s flagship Beijing store on Saturday, the Chancellor declined to give a running commentary on the financial markets in the UK, but said the rules she set for herself [...]
Rachel Reeves to raise Ukraine and Hong Kong human rights on China trip January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves is expected to raise Russia’s war in Ukraine and issues of human rights in Hong Kong during her trip to China. The Chancellor is visiting Beijing for the first UK-China economic and financial dialogue since 2019, with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and top financial services figures. Ministers are insisting the trip [...]
Rachel Reeves eyeing spending cuts in spring January 10, 2025 Rachel Reeves is considering cutting departmental spending as UK borrowing costs soar, despite risks it could “dampen” activity and “further dent anaemic” growth. The Chancellor is said to be eyeing further reductions to unprotected government departments’ budgets after she ruled out additional tax rises or more borrowing to avoid breaking her fiscal rules following the [...]
Pound sterling sinks and gilt yields rise after US jobs report January 10, 2025 The pound plummeted against the dollar while gilt yields came under further pressure after new figures revealed the continued strength of the US economy. According to the latest report on the US labour market, the world’s largest economy added 256,000 roles in December, accelerating from November and well ahead of economists expectations. Unemployment, meanwhile, unexpectedly [...]
Pound endures week of misery amid gilt sell-off January 10, 2025 The pound came in as the worst-performing G10 currency for a second day running yesterday, as the gilt market continues to trade at decade-long highs. After spiking as high as $1.255 on Tuesday, the pound has since fallen to $1.229, its lowest point since October 2023. “What makes the current situation particularly noteworthy is that [...]
Share price down after Sainsbury’s reported bumper Christmas January 10, 2025 Sainsbury's claims to have won the grocery market share for the fifth consecutive Christmas, with sales up nearly four per cent