Introduction The Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey has picked 28 October 2026 for his first Government Autumn Statement, or ‘the budget’ as we still commonly refer to it. It is likely to set the tone for Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Government and its priorities. Whilst the constant change in British government brings us yet another ‘fiscal […]
UK inflation rose to 2.9% in the 12 months to July 2026, up from 2.6% in June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It was the first increase in the annual rate since March 2026. On a monthly basis, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in July, compared with a rise of […]
The UK unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was estimated at 4.9% in April to June 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That is up 0.2 percentage points on the year but down 0.1 percentage points on the quarter. The employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 was 75.1%, down […]
The Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey has picked 28 October 2026 for his first Government Budget. This will also be new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Budget and will likely set the tone for his Government and its priorities. The Chancellor made clear in his comments that the focus would be on “fiscal discipline” and ‘kickstarting […]
Introduction Read the news and you would find it hard to believe that the FTSE 100 hit its all time intra day high in July 2026. Andy Burnham’s ‘coronation’ as Prime Minister was confirmed at Buckingham Palace and the inevitable speculation and rumour around how he will fund his plans are in flight. In America, […]
July Economic Background: Gilt yields top 5% as the Bank of England holds firm Oil surges past $95 as the ceasefire collapses Yen hits a 40-year low and draws a rare joint intervention Click here to read more
The government has confirmed a 22% charge on interest paid on cash held within Stocks and Shares and Innovative Finance ISAs, part of a set of anti-circumvention rules published by HM Revenue and Customs on 23 June 2026. The measures underpin the cash ISA reforms announced at the 2025 Autumn Budget and are designed to […]
Annual growth in regular earnings across the UK was 3.4% in March to May 2026, with total earnings including bonuses growing 4.3%, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 21 July. The gap between public and private sector pay was significant. Public sector regular earnings grew 5.5% over the year, against 2.9% […]
UK inflation slowed in June, with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rising by 2.6% in the 12 months to June 2026, down from 2.8% in May according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rate was last lower in December 2024, when it stood at 2.5%. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.1% in June, […]