Chancellor with red briefcase

Economy

Budget blamed for labour market decline

HMRC figures show that the higher employer national insurance costs caused the loss of more than 250,000 jobs since the Autumn budget.

Shopping Basket

Economy

Consumers reduce non-essential spending

Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicates that whilst food spending remains solid, non-food sales decreased in May due to lower consumer confidence.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Business

Businesses struggling to keep head above water, says S&P

S&P Global Market Intelligence suggests private sector confidence collapse and significant output decline in April, with firms reporting “more of a struggle” to survive after Chancellor’s tax rises kicked in

10 Downing Street

Regulation

Spring Statement 2025: Key points

During her Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the plans for the UK economy in the House of Commons.

cloudy, dark sky

Economy

OECD cuts growth forecasts

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement next week, the OECD has downgraded the UK’s growth prospects.