Latest news with #AndrewAtkinson
Bloomberg
28-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
The UK Economy Is Starting to Emerge From Stagnation
By , Andrew Atkinson, and Irina Anghel Save Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to power last year promising a growth boost but ended up presiding over a slump. Nine months on, however, the British economy may finally be turning the corner. A range of economic indicators are starting to improve, from business activity to consumer confidence, and the prospect of two more interest-rate cuts this year promises a further tailwind. The big hope is that the all-important consumer will emerge from hibernation.
Bloomberg
21-02-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
FTSE 100 Live: UK Retail Sales Rose More Than Expected in January
Also from the ONS this morning, data shows the UK's budget surplus in January was £15.4 billion, compared to the median estimate of £20.3 billion seen by economists. While it was the largest January surplus on record it was well below the £20.5 billion predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Public sector net financial liabilities excluding public sector banks was 82.7% of GDP while excluding the banks it was 95.3%. As Andrew Atkinson and Tom Rees write, the figures will pile further pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who is reported to be seeking further savings from government departments other than health, education and defence to avoid breaking her self-imposed fiscal rules. Meanwhile, Britain along with other European countries is under mounting pressure to plow more money into defence, implying an even tighter squeeze in other areas.
