#uk-economy

#uk-economy

Fuel prices in the UK are rising due to global instability, with Brent crude oil prices increasing from $68 to $78 per barrel in July, leading to higher retail costs.

Dynamic pricing refers to situations where businesses adjust prices rapidly and frequently in response to changing demand conditions, shaped by motivation, speed, and frequency of adjustments.

The health of high streets across the country has varied significantly, with areas like Bradford, Newport, and Blackpool showing double the empty shops compared to London.

We will likely see the triple lock pension end when the current Parliament does, as the cost of providing it to the UK's aging population is increasing and Government debt is rising.

UK pension funds once invested around 50% of their assets in British companies, but today that figure has plummeted to just 4%, signaling a dangerous trend.

Over the past 12 months, ThinCats provided £381m of funding to businesses, a small increase on the previous financial year's £378m.

According to Simply Business, rising prices and fluctuating consumer demand put mounting financial pressure on the UK's 5.5 million small businesses, leading to fears of permanent closures.

"As Amazon's dominance grows, there's a real risk that smaller sellers become overly dependent on the platform. If that relationship sours, or a seller is suspended or delisted for policy breaches - or even just because their products are deemed CRaP (Cannot Realise a Profit) - it can be devastating."

The suggestion that the Oasis gigs will inject 940 million into the UK economy is the type of thing said about any big events, but I suspect that there is no injection, as it's not new money being created: people chose to spend their pre-existing cash on one thing instead of something else.

"According to a report by the Motorsport Industry Association and Grant Thornton, motorsport and engineering services contributed £16 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and employed over 50,000 people."

The funding was backed by a group of leading financial institutions including Barclays, Bank of America, Citi, and the British Business Bank.

An estimated 40.7 billion held in savings by individuals who have ascended the income ladder could be harnessed to stimulate the UK economy, new research suggests.

About 14% of UK businesses reported increased turnover in May compared to April, while 24% saw a decrease, reflecting stability in revenue trends.

The UK is on pace for its busiest year of takeovers since 2021, with £74 billion in bids tabled for British companies in the first six months of 2025.

Gold's price has risen significantly, culminating in a robust period of investing, with UK buyers overwhelming sellers by the widest margin in four years.

River Island has announced the closure of 33 of its 230 UK stores by January 2026, citing shifts in shopping habits and rising operational costs.

The Lindsey oil refinery is strategically important, and the government must intervene immediately to protect workers and fuel supplies.

A senior benefits official told the BBC the government did not have a 'properly considered or deliverable programme'. 'There hasn't been enough pace or passion to get the thing set up.'

The Vistage CEO Confidence Index for Q2 2025 indicates rising confidence among SMEs, despite serious concerns about the UK's post-Brexit competitiveness and economic challenges.

"I fully acknowledge that this year, as we've had to fix the foundations... we've asked a lot of you. I want to acknowledge that it has made a huge difference."

"The pound is in flight right now and we believe it is likely going higher," says Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group. "Several key forces are aligning that will keep sterling on the front foot for the foreseeable future."

"The greater the net worth, the higher the tax contribution - not to mention consumer spending, employment, capital investment, VAT and philanthropy."

ISAs remain one of the most worthwhile and tax-efficient ways to save and invest money in the UK, whether it's a Cash ISA, a Stocks and Shares ISA, or a Lifetime ISA.

The Independent reports on critical issues, such as reproductive rights and climate change, emphasizing the need for accessible, quality journalism that does not charge users.

The number of green energy projects backed by overseas investors in the UK dropped by 57% in 2023, a significant decline reflecting decreased attractiveness.

We want de-escalation because it's the right thing for the Middle East, but we also want de-escalation because of the ramifications of conflict in the Middle East for the rest of the world, including the UK.

In London, funeral costs average 5,449, constituting a 27% increase over the UK average, raising serious concerns about funeral affordability.

The unpredictable global outlook combined with rising employment costs and subdued investment intentions creates significant challenges for UK businesses and the economy.

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