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UK and France agree major deal to crack down on illegal Channel crossings

The Prime Minister and French President Macron agree to return illegal migrants to France.   The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.  

Economic activity and social change in the UK real-time indicators 10 July 2025

Overall retail footfall increased by 1% in the week to 6 July 2025 compared with the previous week and increased by 4% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024; high street footfall saw the biggest increase when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 at 5%, while retail park and shopping centre footfall increased by 3% and 2% respectively (MRI OnLocation).   Total Revolut debit card expenditure increased by 2% in the week to 6 July 2025 compared with the previous week and increased by 14% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (Revolut).  

Statement of the Coalition of the Willing meeting by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine

Yesterday 10 July 2025 the leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.   The leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.  

GDP monthly estimate UK - May 2025 - Falling Slightly Compared To April

Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in May 2025, following an unrevised fall of 0.3% in April 2025 and growth of 0.4% in March 2025 (revised up from 0.2% in our previous publication).   Real GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.5% in the three months to May 2025, compared with the three months to February 2025, largely driven by growth in the services sector in this period.  

£100 million cash boost to help thousands into work across the country

Thousands of disabled people and people with complex health conditions to receive help finding secure, well-paid jobs.   Latest cash boost will be delivered to four areas in England as part of the Connect to Work programme Comes as part of £3.8 billion employment support package over this parliament for sick or disabled people, unlocking work and boosting living standards through the Plan for Change.  

Northwood Declaration UK-France joint nuclear statement

Statement by the United Kingdom and the French Republic on Nuclear Policy and Cooperation - July 2025.   The President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom reaffirm their longstanding and resolute commitment to nuclear cooperation.  

Retail sales Great Britain May 2025

Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) are estimated to have fallen by 2.7% in May 2025, following a rise of 1.3% in April 2025 (revised up from a rise of 1.2% in our last bulletin).   Food store sales volumes fell back in May.  

Is the UK state pension safe, or will it vanish?

Will you still get a UK state pension when you retire? With means testing, cuts and even abolition on the table, many are worried — and rightly so.   In this video, I break down the risks, what recent surveys show, and how it could damage the whole economy if the pension system collapses..  

Work begins at state-of-the-art weather centre headquarters

Construction has begun on a new cutting-edge facility for meteorological research and forecasting, marked by a breaking ground ceremony.   The event took place (July 9 2025) at the site of the new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, led by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.  

Is Scotland Being Sidelined by the Abandonment of Zonal Pricing?

Regions with abundant renewables, like Scotland, would have received some of the lowest electricity prices in Europe under zonal pricing.   Independent analyses estimate savings of at least £3.7 billion per year and total bill reductions of £55 billion by 2050 for consumers nationwide, with Scotland among the biggest winners.