FTSE 100 is on the back foot in early trade following fresh attacks in the Middle East. Brent crude rises to $72 a barrel, as Strait of Hormuz remains tricky to navigate.
Taskforce set up by government to encourage young people to claim their Child Trust Funds. Nationwide, HSBC UK, Sheffield Mutual and Yorkshire Building Society among members of new taskforce meeting for first time as government takes action to reunite young people with unclaimed Child Trust Funds.
Th USA Iran conflict is still in turmoil with limited attacks ongoing periodically. The situation has deteriorated again over the past few days, although it has not yet returned to the level of disruption seen earlier in the conflict.
Defence Secretary has shifted Defence Investment Plan towards more immediate priorities, including getting the latest kit into the hands of military personnel on the frontline. Over £500 million will be committed to continue the transformation of the UK Commando Force, including with new high-speed Joint Commando Craft.
At least six new warships will be built for the Royal Navy under the Defence Investment Plan, delivering the UK's most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come. The Royal Navy will procure at least six Common Combat Vessels, as part of the system that will replace the current Type 45 destroyers.
One month to go until the second Payments on Account deadline on 31 July for Self Assessment customers. One month to go until the second Payments on Account deadline on 31 July.
Until recently, electricity demand in developed countries was relatively stable. Utilities built networks to serve homes, offices and factories, and costs were shared across all users.
The repeal of the Vagrancy Act in England and Wales has rightly been welcomed by many people. No one should become a criminal simply because they have nowhere to sleep.
On Monday, the UK Government will finally repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 in England and Wales, ending more than two centuries of legislation that made rough sleeping a criminal offence. The announcement has been widely welcomed by homelessness charities and many police organisations, who have argued for years that homelessness should never have been treated as a crime.
The number of students learning an instrument has increased by almost 30,000 since the abolition of fees for music lessons in schools. A new report shows that annual investment of up to £12 million from the Scottish Government to fund free instrumental music tuition has seen participants increase to more than 70,000 since 2021.
Business failures across the UK have climbed since the pandemic, but the shape of the crisis differs between Scotland and England & Wales. Scotland has seen a steady rise in insolvencies since 2021, while England & Wales have experienced even sharper increases — and the sectoral pressures behind these trends are not identical.
The Fraser of Allander Institute’s recent analysis argues that the Scottish and wider UK economies have shown remarkable resilience despite global uncertainty. That view is not an outlier.
Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding. Government announces latest $1 billion tranche of UK fiscal support that, pooled with partners’ support, will provide more than $4 billion in additional financing for Ukraine.
The UK Government recently announced a major package of support centred on Ukraine’s economic recovery and wider global security. The headline figures — $1 billion in UK‑backed World Bank finance and £1 billion in additional defence spending sparked debate about how the UK can afford such commitments at a time when domestic services face intense financial strain.
There was a lot of Hype about how the world cup would help pubs and hospitality businesses but has it turned out to be true. The evidence so far suggests the answer is yes and no.
Every major sporting event comes with familiar headlines. “The economy will get a boost.” “Pubs and restaurants will see record trade.” “Billions added to GDP.” The World Cup is no exception.
Every World Cup brings the same familiar narrative. The economy will benefit.
A striking feature of the current economic landscape is how global conditions have shifted in the UK’s favour. After two years of intense inflationary pressure driven by energy shocks, supply‑chain disruption, and rising interest rates, the UK is now benefiting from a combination of external forces that are helping to stabilise the economy.
Major sporting events like the World Cup are usually discussed in glowing terms. They bring excitement.