Category: News

Emma Bridgewater’s pottery company reports a £1.4m loss due to rising production and staffing costs, despite a 9% increase in sales. The brand responds with job cuts and a review of inventory levels.

Rishi Sunak’s Future Fund has issued winding up petitions to 32 companies it backed during the pandemic, aiming to recover £5 million in taxpayer loans, pushing many into liquidation.

Around 1,500 Tata Steel workers to strike from 8 July against job cuts, the first such action in over 40 years, impacting Port Talbot and Llanwern sites.

Unison, Britain’s largest union, urges the next government to mandate a four-day work week, following member support. The motion could pressure Labour to legislate if elected, amid concerns over feasibility in essential public services.

Octopus Energy will repay nearly the entire cost of the government bailout for Bulb, amounting to £3bn, ensuring taxpayers recoup most of the expense from the failed energy provider’s collapse.

Government borrowing in the UK reached £15bn in May, the highest since the Covid crisis, although it was lower than the forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Retail sales volumes in May increased by 2.9%, exceeding expectations, driven by improved weather and higher disposable incomes. Consumer confidence also reached a three-year high.

Despite Conservative pledges to keep state pensions tax-free, a report by LCP reveals that some pensioners already pay income tax on their state pensions due to complexities in the current system.

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves promises an investment summit within 100 days if Labour wins, aiming to position Britain as a stable “safe haven” for investors amidst European political turbulence.

Starling Bank faces increased scrutiny over its Covid-era lending as it takes legal action against defaulting companies, while also being investigated for compliance with money-laundering regulations.

Labour and the Conservatives spar over housing policies as the election approaches, focusing on support for first-time buyers and renters.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt highlights the necessity of an effective opposition in Parliament if Labour secures a victory in the upcoming general election, urging voters to avoid splitting the centre-right vote.

NatWest to acquire Sainsbury’s banking business, including credit cards, loans, and savings accounts, as the supermarket chain refocuses on its core food operations.