A leading UK think tank, The Institute for Fiscal Studies, (IFS), has issued a stark warning about the financial challenges awaiting the next government, whatever party wins the July General Election. In a long report, it warns more tax rises or cuts to public services can be expected, and calls for an open and robust discussion about how all the parties will tackle these.
The UK economy avoided recession in the second half of last year, posting 0.1% growth in the fourth quarter. The original estimate for GDP, between October and November, released by the Bank of England in mid-February had shown zero growth.
The UK economy shrank by 20.4% in April, according to figures outlined by the Office for National Statistics on Friday morning.
Moody's on Friday downgraded the outlook for Britain's debt, citing mounting policy challenges amid the Brexit debate. The agency cut the outlook to negative from stable but kept the debt at the investment-grade Aa2.
Britain's position as a top hub for maritime services is being eroded by competition, a loss of shipping finance business and the removal of tycoon-friendly tax breaks, a report said, deepening uncertainty for its financial sector as Brexit nears.
Stockpiling by manufacturers ahead of Brexit helped the UK economy grow by 0.3% in the three months to February. The national s pointed to manufacturers changing the timing of their activities as the UK's exit from the EU approaches.
Business groups have said they are devastated after Parliament's latest rejection of the prime minister's EU withdrawal plan. They urged MPs and the government to find a solution and stave off the nightmare of a no-deal Brexit.
The number of people in work in the UK has continued to climb, with a record 32.6 million employed between October and December, the latest Office for National Statistics figure show. Unemployment was little-changed in the three-month period at 1.36 million.
Britain's economy contracted in December, official figures revealed on Monday, suggesting that uncertainty over whether the country will leave the European Union with or without a deal is starting to hurt. Data from the UK's Office of Nation al Statistics, ONS, shows that gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.4% in December.
Over 300,000 jobs could be at risk in the Travel & Tourism sector in the United Kingdom and almost 400,000 in Europe if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March, according to a new analysis from the World Travel & Tourism Council released on Monday. A “No Deal” Brexit would have a damaging impact on one of the UK’s most important economic sectors.