KPMG: UK households plan to splash the cash in 2025 December 31, 2024 The positive picture from households contrasted with a more gloomy view about the state of the economy more broadly.
Investment bosses back UK stocks in 2025 and fret over Trump December 31, 2024 The chief investment officers of some of the UK’s largest asset managers have said they expect UK stocks to outperform global equities in 2025. However, they’ve also warned that trade wars represent the biggest threat to investors in 2025, as US President Donald Trump’s election threatens to heighten global supply chain issues. According to data from [...]
Small businesses gear up for growth despite Budget pressures December 29, 2024 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for expansion in 2025 despite fears about the state of the economy. In a survey of over 2,000 SMEs conducted directly after Labour’s Autumn Budget, 81 per cent said they were confident their business would grow next year, with confidence among those employing more than 50 [...]
From Trump to COP: A look ahead to the political year in 2025 December 29, 2024 After a whirlwind of a political year in 2024, with elections in the US, UK and across much of the globe, 2025 is already shaping up to be another momentous 12 months. From the return of President Donald Trump to the White House in January, to the challenges ahead for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, [...]
Starmer demands ‘concrete proposals’ on growth from regulators December 28, 2024 The Prime Minister has called on Britain’s regulators to do more to prioritise growth as he seeks to improve living standards by 2029. In letters sent last week, Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said they wanted to see “concrete proposals” from regulators setting out how they could “go further” [...]
Tax experts question £3m family farm IHT exemption as not ‘realistic’ December 27, 2024 The government’s claim that family farms will benefit from a £3m tax exemption has been questioned by tax experts. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has argued in defence of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ move in the Budget to charge inheritance tax (IHT) on agricultural land worth above £1m. He said earlier this month that in a [...]
UK economy flatlined last quarter revised figures reveal December 23, 2024 The latest revised figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed the UK economy did not grow in the third quarter of this year. The statistics watchdog had previously said the economy grew 0.1 per cent in the third quarter. However, according to the latest figures, the economy flatlined, leaving the UK with no [...]
Business confidence ended 2024 at low point on jobs and prices fears December 23, 2024 Business confidence fell to its lowest level in 2024 during December, as fears around layoffs and price increases hurt opportunity for business growth. Business confidence ticked down by two points to 39 per cent this month, though remained above the long-term average of 29 per cent, according to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer. “While there [...]
Nigel Farage ‘hasn’t got a clue’ how to fix the economy, says Rachel Reeves December 21, 2024 Nigel Farage “hasn’t got a clue” how to grow the economy or make people’s lives better, Rachel Reeves has claimed. The Chancellor also urged the public to be patient with her plans to turn around the economy in an interview with the Guardian. As the public’s view of Labour falters, and Reform makes gains in [...]
A look back at the highs and lows of politics in 2024 December 20, 2024 With elections in the UK and US in 2024, a new government, and a fresh opposition leader, watchers of Westminster and elsewhere have had a busy year in politics. At Morning Wire we’ve followed every twist and turn as Labour secured an election victory in July, Donald Trump pulled off a White House comeback and [...]