Search Results for: UK

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Steady February 2026 UK Inflation Masks Rising Risks from Iran Conflict

The UK’s inflation rate remained unchanged at 3% in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. After months of gradual easing, the pause reflects a delicate moment for the UK economy, with price pressures beginning to shift beneath the surface. Clothing was the biggest upward driver, with prices rising this …

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UK Mortgage Market Faces Turmoil as Iran Conflict Drives Interest Rates Up

The UK mortgage market has been thrown back into a state of turbulence not seen since the aftermath of the 2022 mini‑Budget, as lenders scramble to reprice deals in response to global instability triggered by the U.S. Israel war with Iran. Average rates on two‑year fixed mortgages have now climbed above 5%, reaching their highest …

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UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £100 Billion Tax Haul: What Does Britain Have to Show for It?

The Treasury’s latest figures reveal that the UK government collected more than £100 billion in taxes in a single month — a staggering sum that ought to signal a nation investing confidently in its future. Yet the public mood tells a different story. For many households and businesses, the question is simple: if the money is …

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UK inflation’s latest fall sharpens focus on Bank of England rate cuts

The UK’s inflation rate has dropped to 3%, its lowest level since March last year, renewing expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) may soon begin cutting interest rates. The fall, recorded in January, marks a clear reversal from December’s unexpected uptick to 3.4% and reinforces the broader downward trend seen in late 2025. Economists …

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UK ekes out lacklustre 0.1% growth in Q4 2025

The UK economy managed to expand by just 0.1% in the final quarter of 2025, underscoring the fragility of Britain’s post‑pandemic recovery and reportedly falling short of economists’ expectations for a slightly stronger finish to the year. Preliminary figures from the Office for National Statistics show a picture of uneven momentum, with manufacturing providing the …

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The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025, a figure that casts a shadow over the government’s upcoming Autumn Budget

The Office for National Statistics confirmed that GDP expanded by a mere 0.1% between July and September 2025, down from 0.3% in the previous quarter and below economists’ low expectations of 0.2%. This ‘painstakingly low and feeble growth’ reflects weak consumer demand, faltering production, and persistent inflationary pressures. For Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will deliver …

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UK economy grew slightly in August – very slightly – tax increases are coming

The UK economy recorded modest growth in August 2025, expanding by 0.1% according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This slight gain follows a revised contraction of 0.1% in July 2025, underscoring the fragile nature of the recovery as the government prepares for next month’s Budget. Manufacturing led the charge, growing by 0.7%, while …

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UK inflation holds steady – but food prices continue to bite!

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that UK inflation remained unchanged at 3.8% in August 2025, matching July’s rate and defying expectations of a slight dip. While this steadiness may offer a glimmer of stability, the underlying story is more complex—and more costly—for British households. 📈 Headline vs. Reality 🥦 …

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UK statistical blind spots: The mounting failures of the UK’s ONS

The Office for National Statistics (ONS), once regarded as the bedrock of Britain’s economic data, is now facing a crisis of credibility. A string of recent failings has exposed deep-rooted issues in the agency’s data collection, processing, and publication methods—raising alarm among economists, policymakers, and watchdogs alike. The most visible setback came in August 2025, …

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UK inflation rises to 3.8% in July 2025 amid summer travel surge

The UK’s annual inflation rate climbed to 3.8% in July, marking its highest level since January 2024 and outpacing economists’ forecasts of 3.7%. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributed the unexpected rise to soaring airfares, elevated accommodation costs, and persistent food price pressures. Transport costs were the primary driver, with airfares experiencing their steepest …

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UK GDP 0.3% for Q2 – still anaemic – despite the sunny weather – August 2025

The UK economy (GDP) grew by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025, outperforming forecasts of just 0.1% growth (not difficult). This marks a slowdown from the robust 0.7% expansion seen in Q1, but June’s rebound helped offset weaker activity in April and May 2025. 📊 Key Highlights: 💬 Expert commentary: Despite the sunny headline, …

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UK retail sales rebound slightly in June 2025 thanks to the sunny weather

The British retail sector saw a modest lift in June 2025, with sales volumes rising 0.9% month-on-month, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics. ☀️ Weather Wins Following May’s steep 2.8% decline, the warmest June on record helped drive spending on fuel ⛽, clothing 👕, and drinks 🥤. Supermarkets saw a …

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A hidden UK GEM?

RELX plc stands today as one of the UK’s most quietly formidable global enterprises, a testament to strategic reinvention and technological foresight. Originally formed in 1993 from the merger of Reed International and Dutch giant Elsevier NV, RELX evolved from a conventional publishing conglomerate into a data-driven, analytics-centric powerhouse. Reed owned IPC Magazines and published …

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UK auto production for May 2025 slumps to lowest level since 1949

New car and commercial vehicle production in the U.K. dropped by 32.8% last month, totalling 49,810 units, as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Excluding 2020, when factories were closed during Covid-19 lockdowns, U.K. vehicle production in May 2025 dropped to its lowest level since 1949 – that’s the worst performance …

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UK jobs market slows as unemployment rises

The UK jobs market continued to lose momentum, with fresh data from the Office for National Statistics highlighting a notable slowdown. Unemployment has climbed to 4.7%, reaching its highest level in four years, while job vacancies fell for a third consecutive year to 727,000—the lowest in a decade, excluding the pandemic dip. Pay growth also …

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UK inflation unexpectedly climbs to 3.6% in June 2025

The latest UK inflation figure of 3.6% is a setback for those hoping for a steady decline, especially after May’s 3.4%. With core inflation and food prices also climbing, it’s a sign that underlying price pressures remain stubborn. It further complicates the Bank of England’s path towards interest rate cuts and dents optimism for faster …

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UK economy contracts in May 2025 amid global tariff trade turmoil

Britain’s economy shrank by 0.1% in May 2025, marking its second consecutive monthly decline and casting fresh doubt over the strength of the post-pandemic recovery. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics defied analyst expectations of modest growth, underlining deepening concerns within the Treasury and among business groups. The drop was largely driven …

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Debt and trade issues weaken UK growth – so says the OECD

The latest OECD report presents a cautious outlook for the UK economy, predicting slower growth amidst global uncertainties and domestic fiscal challenges. The UK’s GDP is projected to grow by 1.3% in 2025 and 1% in 2026, reflecting a slight downward revision. According to the OECD, trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, are disrupting global supply …

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UK inflation hits 3.5% in April 2025 as household bills surge

UK inflation rose to 3.5% in April 2025, exceeding expectations and placing further financial strain on households. The increase, reported by the Office for National Statistics, was driven by higher energy costs, water bills, and taxation pressures on businesses. One of the most striking factors behind the surge was the 26.1% increase in water and …

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UK first quarter GDP better than expected at 0.7%

The UK economy has defied expectations, recording a 0.7% increase in GDP in the first quarter of 2025 – better than the forecast of 0.6%. This surge places Britain ahead of economic heavyweights, including the United States, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany. A key driver of this growth has been the service sector, which demonstrated …

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British Fintech Revolut Surpasses $1 Billion in Profit – Eyes UK Banking Expansion

British fintech giant Revolut has achieved a major financial milestone, reporting £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) in net profit for 2024, marking a 149% increase from the previous year. The company’s revenue also saw significant growth, surging 72% to £3.1 billion, driven by a combination of subscription services, wealth management, and interest income. One of the …

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UK economy shows welcome signs of resilience with positive GDP growth and inflation relief

The UK economy displayed unexpected resilience in February 2025, with GDP growing by 0.5%. This figure has exceeded market expectations and provided a welcome boost to UK economic confidence. The growth was fueled by robust activity in the services and manufacturing sectors, which helped counterbalance ongoing challenges in other areas. February’s performance marks a recovery …

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