Interest rate cut boosts property market

The first Bank of England (BoE) rate cut in four years has sparked a resurgence in the property market, with reduced mortgage costs attracting more buyers and pushing up house prices. According to Rightmove, inquiries from potential buyers to estate agents surged by...

Employment bill to boost workplace rights

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner recently met with unions and key business groups, including the CBI and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), to discuss Labour’s ambitious “Make Work Pay” plan. The initiative aims to enhance workplace rights...

UK economy grows 0.6% in Q2 2024

The UK economy grew by 0.6% between April and June 2024, continuing its recovery following a brief recession at the end of last year. This growth matched forecasts and follows a 0.7% increase in the year’s first quarter. The expansion was largely driven by the...

SMEs struggle to secure public sector contracts

Despite a steady increase in total public sector spending directly with SMEs, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face challenges in securing a significant share of government contracts.  In 2023, only 20% of the direct public procurement spend was awarded...

Unemployment drops as wage growth slows

According to the latest official figures, the UK’s unemployment rate has decreased slightly, standing at 4.2% in the three months leading up to the end of June—a marginal decline from 4.4% in the previous quarter. Despite the positive shift, wage growth has...