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News Archive


11/7/2025
Retail sales Great Britain May 2025Thumbnail for article : Retail sales Great Britain May 2025
Retail sales volumes (quantity bought) are estimated to have fallen by 2.7% in May 2025, following a rise of 1.3% in April 2025 (revised up from a rise of 1.2% in our last bulletin).   Food store sales volumes fell back in May.  
10/7/2025
New data points to growing social and economic impact of charity sector amidst challenging financial environment
New insights from sector data suggest that charities have been able to direct additional resources to delivering their aims, amidst a tightening financial squeeze.   The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has analysed data drawn from annual returns for the financial year ending 2023 - the most comprehensive dataset available to the charity sector.  
10/7/2025
Work begins at state-of-the-art weather centre headquarters
Construction has begun on a new cutting-edge facility for meteorological research and forecasting, marked by a breaking ground ceremony.   The event took place (July 9 2025) at the site of the new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, led by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.  
10/7/2025
Government sets out reforms to create a fair, secure, affordable and efficient electricity system
Government confirms reforms to the national pricing electricity market that will create a fairer, cheaper, more secure, and more efficient energy system.   Government puts fairness and affordability at the centre of electricity market reform to deliver system that puts working people first.  
10/7/2025
Is Scotland Being Sidelined by the Abandonment of Zonal Pricing?
Regions with abundant renewables, like Scotland, would have received some of the lowest electricity prices in Europe under zonal pricing.   Independent analyses estimate savings of at least £3.7 billion per year and total bill reductions of £55 billion by 2050 for consumers nationwide, with Scotland among the biggest winners.  
10/7/2025
Millions of households to be given income boost as Bill progresses through Parliament
Nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725 cash as a Bill to overhaul the welfare system completes the next stage of its passage through Parliament.   Bill to introduce biggest permanent boost to out-of-work support since 1980 progresses through Parliament.  
10/7/2025
Is the UK stock market in trouble and needing reform or abolition
The UK stock market isn't on the brink of abolition — but it's definitely under pressure and in need of reform.   The London Stock Exchange is still one of the largest and most liquid markets globally.  
10/7/2025
Package Holiday Costs Have Risen in 2025 But Post Office Report Has Great Advice
New analysis of over 8,000 European package holidays shows prices for summer 2025 bookings are on average 4.2% higher than a year ago, with some destinations seeing rises up to 11.5%.  Eurostat data also indicates the cost of a typical European package break climbed 6.6% between July 2023 and July 2024.  
10/7/2025
Zelenskyy Did NOT Expect Such Ovations! Audience Fell SILENT During His Powerful Speech!Thumbnail for article : Zelenskyy Did NOT Expect Such Ovations! Audience Fell SILENT During His Powerful Speech!
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday Russia has been upgrading drones to cause more destruction.Zelenskyy said Russia is using hundreds of drones to attack Ukraine cities daily, calling it "pure terrorism".   He also urged partners to provide more air defense supplies and more investment in drone production."When Russia increases its attacks, we cannot have a shortage of funding for drone production," Zelenskyy said.  
10/7/2025
New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship
A new ‘Entente Industrielle' will support thousands of UK jobs across projects including air-to air missiles.   Britain and France are to order more highly lethal Storm Shadow cruise missiles, while stepping up work on its replacement as part of a new refreshed agreement signed today (Thursday 10 July 2025).  
10/7/2025
Government action to speed up compensation for LGBT veterans
LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government's financial recognition scheme.   Increase in dedicated staff will accelerate applications and process payments faster.  
10/7/2025
Zelenskyy's Wife Goes Viral with Emotional Speech at Italy's Ukraine Conference Thumbnail for article : Zelenskyy's Wife Goes Viral with Emotional Speech at Italy's Ukraine Conference
irst Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska delivers one of the most powerful, emotional speeches ever heard on an international stage at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy, hosted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.   From war trauma to school lunches, she reminds the world: rebuilding Ukraine starts with rebuilding lives.  
10/7/2025
Russia's shameful record-breaking attacks on Ukrainian civilians and use of chemical weapons on the front line in Ukraine are a disgrace: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Holland condemns Russia's latest aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities, which have killed civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure, and highlights the UK's recent sanctions package in response to Russia's use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.   Thank you, Mr Chair.  
10/7/2025
DfT issues warning about scam text messages asking people to pay fines
People receiving text messages claiming to be from DfT should not click on any links or share financial details.   The Department for Transport is aware of text messages claiming to be from the department asking people to pay fines for outstanding traffic tickets.  
10/7/2025
UK and Japan sign investment partnership to drive economic growth
The UK and Japan yesterday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at enabling increased UK investment into Japan, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.   The agreement was signed at the British Embassy in Tokyo by Baroness Poppy Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE, UK Minister for Investment, and Mr.  
10/7/2025
£500m Government investment to boost growth and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs
Underrepresented investors and fund managers will benefit from £500m of Government backing to help high potential new entrants build the track record they need.   £400 million package to back investment fund managers from underrepresented backgrounds and drive growth as part of the government's Plan for Change.  
10/7/2025
UK-based crypto business shut down following worldwide complaints
The Insolvency Service investigated complaints made to Action Fraud from people in Estonia, Mauritania, Iran, New Zealand, Poland and Romania.   BTCMining Limited operated a cryptoasset mining business, but customers say they took payments for services they did not receive.  
10/7/2025
Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain's countryside
New ban on use of lead in ammunition to protect iconic wildlife and clean up the nation's waterways.   Red kites and white-tailed eagles will receive greater protection thanks to new restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition, Environment Minister Emma Hardy announced today (Thursday 10 July 2025).  
10/7/2025
What is wealth - and what does it mean for those who do and don't have it?Thumbnail for article : What is wealth - and what does it mean for those who do and don't have it?
This is the start of my new wealth series.  We're going back to basics — and that means asking what wealth even is.  
9/7/2025
The World Is DITCHING the Dollar - Here's WHYThumbnail for article : The World Is DITCHING the Dollar - Here's WHY
The U.S.  dollar has taken quite a tumble over the past six months—dropping more than 10%, its steepest first-half decline since 19732.