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UK reports record-breaking budget surplus of £30.4bn in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves
Largest January total since records began in 1993 is sharp reversal from December’s £11.6bn deficit
The UK government has posted the biggest ever budget surplus, official figures show,.. - source: The Guardian - 20.02.2026
Retail sales and public finances data to show state of British economy – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Good morning. We’re about to get a new healthcheck on the British economy, with the latest public finances and retail sales.. - source: The Guardian - 20.02.2026
British manufacturing continues to face low orders and upward price pressure, says CBI
Industrial trends survey shows firms expecting to raise prices in coming months, with order books well below average
British manufacturing orders remain well below average and price.. - source: The Guardian - 19.02.2026
British Gas owner’s profits tumble 39% ; gen Z turning to trades for AI-proof work – business live
Centrica has paused its share buyback after profits plunged, while new data shows Gen Z looking for AI-proof jobs in traditional trades
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of.. - source: The Guardian - 19.02.2026
Retailers in UK plan to cut staff hours and jobs amid rising employment costs
BRC survey finds finance bosses expect technology to improve productivity, with 69% pessimistic about the economy
UK retailers are planning to cut staff hours and jobs amid rising.. - source: The Guardian - 19.02.2026
Reform UK would restore two-child benefit cap, Jenrick says in policy U-turn
Treasury spokesperson says disability benefits would also be limited under Reform, but Bank of England would stay independent
Reform UK would restore the two-child benefit cap in.. - source: The Guardian - 18.02.2026
Countries that do not embrace AI could be ‘left behind’, says Open AI’s George Osborne
Without AI you will be a ‘weaker and poorer nation’, warns former UK chancellor two months into job at US firm
The former chancellor George Osborne has warned that countries that do not.. - source: The Guardian - 18.02.2026
Death tax? Property tax? Four ideas that could offset inheritance inequality in Australia
How do we solve the predicted entrenched disparity arising out of the great wealth transfer? We ask economists for their suggestions
Read more from The Age of Inheritance series.. - source: The Guardian - 18.02.2026
UK inflation expected to fall to near one-year low – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including the UK inflation report for January
A chunky drop in inflation could pave the way for the Bank of England to cut.. - source: The Guardian - 18.02.2026
Gloom for UK workers as incomes flatline and jobs market falters
Falls in inflation and interest rates could leave Britain better off this year, but at the cost of high unemployment
UK unemployment rate hits five-year high
Private sector pay.. - source: The Guardian - 17.02.2026
UK unemployment rate hits five-year high of 5.2% as wage growth slows – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
The ONS also estimate that firms kept cutting workers in January.
Its early, provisional, estimate of payrolled employees.. - source: The Guardian - 17.02.2026
Starmer’s options in funding a further defence spending rise would be limited
Competing domestic priorities, Treasury borrowing limits and already nervous lenders are among the many obstacles
Keir Starmer has few options if he wants to increase annual defence.. - source: The Guardian - 16.02.2026
Japan avoids recession with weak return to growth – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Japan misses growth forecasts for the final three months of 2025
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of.. - source: The Guardian - 16.02.2026
Bank of England should cut rates to boost consumer spending, says TUC
Union analysis finds consumers lag behind international peers as some rate-setters remain anxious about inflation
The Trades Union Congress is urging the Bank of England to cut interest.. - source: The Guardian - 16.02.2026
Even amid rising economic uncertainty, now is not the time to hug your job
In a rapidly changing job market, it’s not necessarily good for workers to cling to their current employment
After all the employee protests over the past few years – the “great.. - source: The Guardian - 15.02.2026
US fixation on the hard-hat economy and making manufacturing great again makes little sense
The dream of greasy overalls is driven by nostalgia and doesn’t justify policies that harm US consumers
The exhortations to protect America’s industrial muscle have resonated in the US.. - source: The Guardian - 14.02.2026
‘It’s been life-changing’: young Britons on why they left the UK to work abroad
Skilled workers facing a tough jobs market and high rents at home reveal how they have built new lives elsewhere, from Vancouver to Dubai
UK migration could be negative this year – how.. - source: The Guardian - 14.02.2026
UK migration could be negative this year – how will that hit the economy?
Universities, builders and health trusts are feeling the squeeze, as thinktank says effect of zero net migration could be similar to Brexit
‘It’s been life-changing’: young Britons on.. - source: The Guardian - 14.02.2026
AI is indeed coming – but there is also evidence to allay investor fears
Opinions are divided about the potential impact of artificial intelligence as the response to a recent viral essay shows
UK ad agencies undergo biggest exodus of staff as AI threatens.. - source: The Guardian - 13.02.2026
Reeves appoints higher pay advocate to fight skills shortages as chief economic adviser
Labour market expert Prof Brian Bell has called for better pay and conditions in key sectors, particularly social care
Rachel Reeves has appointed a labour market expert who has repeatedly.. - source: The Guardian - 13.02.2026