JP Morgan has revised its growth forecasts for the UK economy in the third quarter of this year, following last week’s encouraging GDP figures. The investment bank now projects 0.4 per cent growth from July to September, a slight increase from an earlier forecast of 0.3 per cent, resulting in an annualised rate of approximately 1.5 per … Continued
In a recent study conducted by Journo Research in collaboration with global fintech group Plus500, Mid Suffolk has been named the hardest-working area in the UK. The research analysed data from the Office for National Statistics, focusing on the average paid weekly working hours across all local authorities in the country. Mid Suffolk, home to … Continued
A surge in London employers’ permanent hiring intentions could be encouraging news for the UK economy, according to industry data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. The REC’s latest Jobs Outlook shows London employers’ intention to hire permanent staff outpacing the overall UK level that itself is also positive. The body’s net outlook, taken from … Continued
Business confidence rebounded sharply in July, a survey revealed, as firms felt a renewed sense of optimism about the UK’s economic prospects. Overall business confidence jumped by nine points to 50 per cent this month, according to Lloyds’ Business Barometer. The rebound in confidence during July brought business confidence back up to May’s level, which was the … Continued
The economy’s strong performance so far in 2024 looks set to continue thanks to the continued recovery of the manufacturing sector, a closely watched survey suggests. S&P’s purchasing managers’s index (PMI) came in at 52.7, up from 52.3 last month and slightly higher than the 52.6 expected by economists. The survey, which measures economic activity in the … Continued
The new Labour government is to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within its first 100 days as part of its plan to make work pay. Announced in the King’s Speech on Wednesday 17 July, the plan will create a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people, inviting their views on how best to put the … Continued
In the wake of Labour’s victory in the recent General Election, Logistics UK has urged the new UK Government to prioritise the logistics sector to stimulate economic growth. The industry body argues that the logistics industry is pivotal for enhancing productivity and supporting various sectors across the nation. Commenting on the change of government, David … Continued
With the general election coming up this week, we have set out a summary of some of the key employment law proposals from the main political parties. Conservative The Conservative Party has said little in its manifesto in relation to its plan for employment law, and they have proposed very few substantial employment reforms. Its … Continued
The UK’s manufacturing sector sprung back into growth in May as levels of production surged and business optimism hit a more than two-year high. The closely watched S&P Global/CIPS UK manufacturing PMI survey rose to 51.2 in May, after falling back to 49.1 in the previous month. Any reading above 50 means a sector is … Continued
Major contractors have called for a clear focus on construction during the campaign period that began with yesterday’s announcement of a general election on 4 July. Prime minister Rishi Sunak caught many political commentators by surprise by calling voters to the ballot box six months before the end of the current Parliament. Balfour Beatty chief executive … Continued