The UK's inflation rate witnessed a greater-than-expected drop to 7.9% in June, a 13-month low, due to a decrease in petrol prices, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure represents a noteworthy decline from May's 8.7% inflation rate, the weakest since the onset of the
Economy
The UK economy shrunk by a lower-than-expected 0.1% in May, partially due to an additional bank holiday for the King's coronation, recent ONS data has revealed.
In an environment of soaring interest rates and stubborn inflation, UK households continue to feel the sting of the ongoing cost of living crisis, with a cumulative loss of £65 billion in spending power forecast by May 2024, according to research by Grant Thornton UK and Retail Economics.
Scotland has experienced a continued downturn in hiring activity, with permanent staff appointments contracting for the fifth month in a row due to economic uncertainty and hesitations from candidates in seeking new roles, according to the recent RBS Report on Jobs survey. While permanent staff
In the first quarter of 2023, the UK economy experienced a minor growth in output, maintaining the same rate as previously estimated. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed a 0.1% increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) from the final quarter of the previous year, mirroring the grow
Scotland is set to create its first two Investment Zones in the Glasgow City Region and the North East, with up to £160 million of targeted investment, tax reliefs, and other incentives being earmarked over the next five years. This joint initiative by the Scottish and UK governments aims to b
The Scottish economy has shown surprising resilience in 2023, outperforming expectations by avoiding a predicted shallow recession, according to a quarterly economic commentary published by the University of Strathclyde's Fraser of Allander Institute. Supported by Deloitte, the report provides an in
James Watt, CEO of Brewdog, the brewery and pub chain headquartered in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, has expressed strong criticisms about the aftermath of Brexit, describing it as “tragic for UK business” and emphasising its detrimental effects on his own enterprise. Mr Watt shared his sentimen
Scotland’s onshore GDP contracted by 0.5% in April, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician.
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has released its 2023 Red Meat Industry Profile report, underlining the industry's significant role in Scottish food security, rural economy, and effective utilisation of the country's natural resources. Despite encountering significant challenges over the past three year
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of The Bank of England has announced an increase to the base interest rate from 4.5% to 5%, marking the 13th consecutive rise. The decision was supported by a 7-2 majority, with members having preferred to maintain rate at 4.5%.
The Bank of England is expected to again hike the base rate tomorrow as UK inflation remained at a stubborn 8.7% last month, with core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and energy, reaching its highest level in 30 years at 7.1%.
In the first half of 2023, the UK economy has demonstrated a greater resilience than initially expected, and is set to steer clear of a recession, according to the CBI's most recent economic forecast. With a GDP growth of 0.4% anticipated over 2023, set to escalate to 1.8% in 2024, these figures mar
Scotland's private sector has recorded a mild expansion in activity in the second quarter of 2023, but its growth appears to be losing momentum, according to RBS' latest PMI data. Following a ten-month peak in April with a business activity index of 54.3, the index for May showed a downturn to 50.7,
Scotland's economy demonstrated robust growth in the first quarter of 2023, outpacing the UK average, according to recent data released by the chief statistician. From January to March 2023, the Scottish economy saw a 0.4% growth, an improvement over the previous quarter's 0.2% expansion. This rate