Pound drops as borrowing costs rise

The pound fell 0.9% to $1.226 on Thursday as concerns over the UK’s public finances mounted. This came after 10-year Government borrowing costs soared to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. Economists have warned that these rising costs could pressure...

Charitable donations through wills hit £2.1bn in 2024

In 2024, over 400 estates donated at least £1 million to charities, contributing to a record-breaking total. Gifts exceeding £1m rose by 33% from the previous year, increasing from £850m in 2023 to £1.1bn. These high-value donations accounted for 54% of the £2.1bn...

Businesses expected to grow in the new year

Most UK businesses are optimistic about the start of 2025, with economic confidence surveys showing plans for growth following a difficult period. According to Lloyds Bank, 70% of businesses expect turnover to rise over the next year, up from 62% in December 2023....

High street shopping sees rise in spending

UK shoppers hit the high streets on Saturday, boosting sales in-store and online as Christmas approaches. According to Visa, spending rose by 2.3% in the seven weeks leading up to 20 December, with online purchases increasing by 6.1%. Electronics and homeware were the...

BoE holds interest rates amid rising inflation

The Bank of England (BoE) has held interest rates at 4.75%, following a 6:3 vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). This decision comes as inflation rose for the second consecutive month, reaching 2.6% in November, up from 1.7% in September, exceeding the BoE’s...