The FTSE 100, the UK’s premier stock market index, has recently reached unprecedented new highs, marking a significant milestone in the UK financial world. On 20th January 2025, the FTSE 100 closed at a record high of 8,548, surpassing the 8,500 barrier for the first time. This achievement is aRead More →
The UK economy grew for the first time in three months – but only just. The tiny growth was driven in part by an increase in trade for pubs, restaurants, and the construction industry. Official figures showed an expansion of 0.1% after the economy contracted in each of the twoRead More →
The UK is charting its own course when it comes to regulating artificial intelligence, signaling a potential divergence from the approaches taken by the United States and the European Union. This move is part of a broader strategy to establish the UK as a global leader in AI technology. UKRead More →
The pound has continued to fall after UK government borrowing costs rose and concerns grew about public finances Sterling dropped as UK 10-year borrowing costs surged to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis when bank borrowing virtually ground to a halt. Economists have warned the rising costs couldRead More →
As we head into 2025, the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation is poised to undergo significant changes, and these shifts are likely to have a profound impact on the stock markets. The introduction of new regulations, particularly in regions like the European Union and the United States, will createRead More →
Revised official figures indicate that the UK economy was weaker than initially estimated between July and September 2024. The economy experienced zero growth in these three months, down from an earlier estimate of 0.1%. UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves reportedly stated that the challenge to fix the economy “after 15 yearsRead More →
The UK inflation rate has gone up for the second month in a row, rising at the fastest pace since March 2024. The UK inflation rate rose to 2.6% in the year to November 2024, according to official figures. However, the rise was predicted by economists and was apparently withinRead More →
The U.K. economy contracted unexpectedly in October 2024, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by an estimated 0.1% on a monthly basis, the ONS said Friday 13th December 2024, attributing the downturn to a decline in production output. It marked the second consecutiveRead More →
In November 2024, business confidence in the U.K. dropped to its lowest point since January 2023, as reported by BDO, a business advisory and accountancy firm. Concurrently, KPMG noted that UK job vacancies decreased at the quickest pace since the pandemic began. This downturn coincides with warnings from businesses thatRead More →
The United Kingdom has given the world an impressive array of groundbreaking inventions that have transformed various aspects of modern life From Isaac Newton’s reflecting telescope in 1668 to Frank Whittle’s jet engine in 1937 and Tim Berners-Lee’s creation of the World Wide Web in 1989. British inventors have continuallyRead More →
The inflation rate, which measures price changes, hit 2.3% in the year to October 2024, a bigger-than-expected increase from 1.7% in September 2024. The increase was in part due to an increase in the regulator-set energy price cap that took effect in October 2024, which is expected to increase energyRead More →
The UK economy expanded by just 0.1% from July to September 2024, as announced in the most recent official data release. The growth was less than anticipated, and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that most sectors experienced subdued activity over the quarter. Labour, having prioritised economic growth uponRead More →
As of September 2024, the UK’s national debt stands at £2,685.6 billion, which is approximately 100% of the country’s GDP. This is the highest level of public sector debt since 1961. UK debt and its borrowing As of 2024, the United Kingdom’s national debt has reached a staggering £2,685.6 billion,Read More →
UK inflation fell unexpectedly to 1.7% in the year to September 2024, the lowest rate in three-and-a-half years This indicates that inflation, which is the rate at which prices increase over time, is currently below the Bank of England’s target of 2%, potentially leading to further reductions in interest ratesRead More →
The UK Labour government aimed to attract foreign investment on Monday 14th October by hosting its first International Investment Summit in London Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds headed the one-day event at London’s Guildhall, with an attendance of approximately 200 executives from bothRead More →
Electric car sales to private buyers are 6.3% lower so far in 2024 despite £2 billion of manufacturers discounts Electric car sales in the UK are facing challenges despite the growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hasRead More →
In August 2024, the U.K. economy experienced a 0.2% growth on a month-on-month basis, according to preliminary figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Friday 11th October 2024. But there is a warning of a potential UK slowdown despite the August pick-up. The gross domestic product (GDP) matchedRead More →
Last month, the average UK house price nearly reached a record high, buoyed by decreasing mortgage rates that have lifted buyer confidence, Halifax reports. Halifax, the UK’s largest mortgage lender, noted that the average house price climbed to £293,399 in September 2024, narrowly missing the record of £293,507 set inRead More →
Tax Reforms Increase in VAT: Adjusting the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate could generate substantial revenue. Pension Tax Relief: Limiting pension tax relief to the basic rate of income tax could raise around £15 billion per year. Pension tax relief raid. Windfall Tax: Increasing the windfall tax on the profitsRead More →
The UK’s economic growth for the period between April and June 2024 was lower than initially estimated, as reported by the ONS The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which quantifies the economic activity of companies, governments, and individuals within a country, increased by 0.5%, a revision from the preliminary figure ofRead More →
Labour’s proposal to dismantle the UK’s non-dom tax system may lead to an exodus of the ultra-wealthy, as advisors and research bodies have cautioned. Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Malta, Dubai, and the Caribbean are becoming popular relocation destinations, sensing the apprehension among affluent investors. Meanwhile, London’s super-prime real estate marketRead More →
The London Stock Market has recently been hailed as Europe’s best stock market! According to a survey by Bank of America, Wall Street says that the UK is now the most preferred equity market in Europe. This positive sentiment comes as the FTSE 100 hit recent highs, reflecting a shiftRead More →
UK inflation was reported at 2.2% for August 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released on Wednesday 18th August 2024 The consumer price index (CPI) figure aligned with the forecasts of analysts and remained consistent with July’s inflation rate of 2.2%. Previously, the headline CPI hadRead More →
In the first half of this year, pharmacies, pubs, and banks accounted for half of the closures on Britain’s High Streets, according to data. A total of 6,945 stores have shut down in 2024, averaging 38 closures per day Taking new store openings into account, the net closure rate standsRead More →
UK data centres are set to be classified as critical national infrastructure (CNI), aligning them with sectors such as emergency services, finance, healthcare, and utilities This classification will ensure they receive additional government support during major incidents like cyber-attacks, IT outages, or severe weather, to reduce disruption. Data centres, largeRead More →
The UK’s economy did not experience growth in July 2024, continuing the stagnation from June 2024, as indicated by official data Analysts had anticipated a modest growth of 0.2% for July. However, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell short of the expectations set by economists surveyed by Reuters, who hadRead More →