Jack Barnett

The index of household sentiment climbed one point in December, adding to gains in November that followed a dip in the weeks before Rachel Reeves’s budget

Confidence in the sector fell last month at its sharpest rate since the pandemic as businesses brace for a ‘cost crisis’ next year

Annual retail sales grew by 3 per cent in November, slower than expected and down from 4.8 per cent the previous month

The president of the European Central Bank confirms it expects to make further interest rate cuts

Panel votes 8-1 against any cut when the Bank of England announces its decision this week

Increase in consumer prices index solidifies expectations that the Bank of England will keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday

Monetary policy committee votes in favour of keeping policy unchanged

Andrew Bailey downgrades growth forecasts and says businesses are cutting costs and raising prices after Rachel Reeves’s raid on employers’ NI

The fall in borrowing was driven by recent reductions in inflation but the chancellor could have to raise taxes again amid slowing economic growth

The country’s focus on productivity and EU membership have been key to growth that is the envy of bigger economies