News And Announcements
BoE's Ramsden sees risks to UK inflation as 'two-sided'
Bank of England deputy governor Dave Ramsden said risks to hitting the bank’s 2% inflation target as “two-sided” arguing for a “gradual and careful” approach to interest rate cuts, although the pace of these did not have to be slow.
Potential UK-US trade deal could negate need for tariffs, says Trump
A potential trade deal between the UK and US could mean that additional tariffs placed on trans-Atlantic exports might be "not necessary", according to Donald Trump.
House prices rise more than expected in February - Nationwide
UK house prices rose more than expected in February, according to data released on Friday by mortgage lender Nationwide.
Government minded to green light Gatwick expansion
The UK government is poised to approve a second runway at Gatwick, it was confirmed on Thursday, just weeks after the chancellor back a similar expansion at Heathrow.
Trump threatens 25% tariffs on EU imports
Donald Trump has confirmed he plans to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union, claiming the bloc was "formed to screw the United States".
Dry January, cautious spending dampen UK hospitality sales
Restaurant, pub and bar sales in the UK retreated last month with analysts blaming Dry January and the Christmas squeeze on consumer spending.
German consumer sentiment set to deteriorate in March
German consumer sentiment was set to deteriorate in March, according to a survey released on Wednesday by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM).
One in 10 part-time retail jobs at risk, warns industry
As many as one in 10 part-time retail workers could lose their jobs as a result of upcoming regulatory changes, it emerged on Tuesday, in a stark warning from the industry as to the looming cost changes the UK’s biggest-employing private sector.
UK govt slashes aid budget to pay for rise in defence spending
Britain's international aid budget is being slashed to fund an increase in defence spending to 2. 5% of GDP from 2027, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday.
German business sentiment stagnates - Ifo
German business sentiment was unchanged in February, according to a survey released on Monday by the Ifo Institute.
UK lenders 'paid car dealers' up front in pricier loan deals - report
UK lenders paid “advance commissions” to car dealers that may have encouraged them to push costlier loans on to consumers, the Guardian reported, citing legal filings linked to the motor finance scandal.
UK private-sector growth softens as manufacturing PMI hits 15-month low
Private-sector activity growth in the UK eased slightly in February, according to the latest purchasing managers' index from S&P Global, driven by the sharpest contraction in manufacturing output in more than a year.
CMA fines four major banks after traders share sensitive information
Four major banks had reached an agreement with the Competition and Markets Authority to pay combined fines of more than £104. 0m after the watchdog found that traders had shared sensitive information with one another between 2009 and 2013.
January’s budget surplus biggest on record but misses forecasts
January’s monthly budget surplus was the biggest on record but missed expectations, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Retail sales rebound more strongly than expected in January
Retail sales bounced back more than expected last month, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
UK consumer confidence improves, but economic concerns linger
Consumer confidence in the UK increased month-on-month in February, according to fresh survey data released on Friday, although concerns around the state of the economy put a dampener on optimism.
Manufacturing output volumes fall again but expectations turn positive - CBI
Manufacturing output volumes fell again in the quarter to February, but expectations turned positive, according to the latest industrial trends survey released on Thursday by the Confederation of British Industry.
Eurozone construction output stable in December
Production in the eurozone construction sector remained stable in December, while rising by 0. 4% in the wider European Union, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat on Thursday.
German producer prices rise 0.5pc in January
Germany’s producer prices rose 0. 5% in January compared to the same month in 2024, according to fresh data released on Thursday by the Federal Statistical Office, Destatis.
UK confidence drops as consumers sour on economic outlook, finances
Consumer confidence in the UK worsened this month, according to a survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) on Thursday, with views about the economic situation and personal finances taking a hit.