Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

UK economy

UK economy
The latest news, analysis and opinion on UK economy. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Members of the Green Party celebrate a win in Bellingham in south London on May 9. Photo: EPA
Britain

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

videocam
Britain

UK health minister quits, calls for leadership contest to oust PM Starmer

Britain

UK PM’s biggest political challenge overshadows King’s speech

Britain

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

At a meeting of his cabinet, there was no official move to trigger a leadership contest even as three junior ministers quit.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to journalists onboard a plane to Washington DC in 2024. He has promised to press on with a premiership that has been dogged by scandal and policy ​U-turns since he won a large majority at a national election in 2024. Photo: via AP
Britain

UK’s Starmer under renewed pressure to quit as revolt grows

Home secretary and deputy PM reportedly join calls for a leadership transition as several aides resign.

Britain

Ex-minister tells UK cabinet to boot Starmer or she’ll challenge him herself

Catherine West’s ultimatum comes amid calls for his resignation after Labour’s crushing defeat in local elections.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US, Israel war on Iran

Starmer calls emergency meeting on Iran war’s economic impact on UK

Stretched public finances and dependence on imported gas leave Britain exposed to the energy war in the Middle East.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: EPA
Britain

UK eyes ‘targeted’ support for households amid rising energy costs

Finance chief Rachel Reeves says there are plans to help those vulnerable to sharp rises in energy prices, especially those who rely on heating oil.

videocam
United States

Trump tells Starmer ‘do not give away Diego Garcia’ in new attack on Chagos deal

President says the UK should not lose control of Indian Ocean island by entering ‘tenuous’ lease, amid concerns about China’s growing ties there.

videocam
Diplomacy

Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

While several deals were struck on the UK prime minister’s trip, the most important outcome is the willingness of the leaders of both countries to work constructively together.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 29. Photo: AP
China-UK relations

Britain’s Starmer hopes gift of Man United match ball scores with China’s Xi

Reviving a familiar playbook, the British leader uses football to seek diplomatic headway during an official visit to Beijing.

videocam
10
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s enthusiasm for football was on display during a visit to Ireland’s Croke Park in 2012, when he was vice-president. Photo: Reuters
Xi Jinping

Video | UK PM starts China state visit ahead of Xi meeting

Trade and the economy to top British prime minister’s agenda as London navigates ‘re-engagement’ with Beijing, analysts say.

China-UK relations

Opinion | With China visit, Starmer makes clear he’s putting Britain first

The prime minister’s visit to China is a declaration that the UK will no longer be a simple passenger in a contest defined in Washington and Beijing.

10
Britain

‘Very deep poverty’ in Britain hits worst level in 30 years, report says

Report reveals that nearly 7 million people are living on well below the UK median income as the nation’s poorest get even poorer.

5
A homeless person near Piccadilly Circus in central London in 2020. Poverty in Britain has deepened in recent years. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Why UK Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China could be historic

The British prime minister must decide whether Britain has the strength to look east and west, and not simply look inward.

videocam
4
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sheraton Hotel, as he attends the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Britain

Britain’s surging Reform UK party draws big-name Tory defector

Robert Jenrick joins Nigel Farage’s Reform party as the Conservatives descend into civil war.

Britain

UK begins ‘world-leading’ junk food ad ban to curb childhood obesity

Restrictions on daytime television and paid online advertisements are part of a US$2.7 billion preventive health strategy.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Britain

UK’s Starmer says ousting him would lead to chaos, far-right government

Instability ‘would gift Nigel Farage’, the PM said, referring to the right-wing Reform UK leader who currently tops opinion polls.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during an interview with the BBC on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK ‘super flu’ crisis and doctors’ strike spark ‘worst-case’ Christmas fears

Flu cases hit record highs with a 55 per cent weekly jump as the NHS faces a planned doctors’ strike next week.

Britain

Head of UK financial watchdog quits after early leak of Rachel Reeves’ budget

Richard Hughes said he wanted to help the Office for Budget Responsibility recover from the lapse, which is linked to leadership failures.

United States

US-UK zero tariff deal to reshape NHS medicine spending

The agreement removes tariffs on medicines and raises NHS spending on new drugs by 25 per cent, boosting pharmaceutical growth.

videocam
The US will exempt UK pharmaceuticals and medical tech from tariffs, under a new trade agreement. Photo: Shutterstock
Britain

UK finance minister says did not mislead public on latest budget

Britain’s Conservatives have accused Rachel Reeves of misrepresenting the state of the nation’s finances in the run-up to her November 26 budget.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses with her ministerial red box before heading to the House of Commons to deliver her budget speech on November 26. Photo: Reuters
Britain

UK’s Reeves unveils tax plan amid embarrassing budget leak

In an unprecedented error, the UK’s financial watchdog apologised for publishing budget forecasts before they were delivered in parliament.

Hong Kong society

Platform for Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders launches campaign against new UK rules

Sutton Hongkongers says people feel the UK government is ‘moving the goalposts’ by changing certain immigration rules.

29
Britain

UK ex-PM Johnson hits back at ‘incoherent’ Covid inquiry report

Boris Johnson defends his Covid-19 pandemic response, saying he regrets errors but insists his government acted to save lives.

Then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives a news conference about the ongoing situation with the coronavirus outbreak inside 10 Downing Street in London in 2020. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

China woos Northern Ireland with promises to boost investment, trade

Beijing seeks closer ties with Belfast at a new trade forum, with Northern Ireland offering potential entry to European market.

videocam
A cargo ship unloads at a port in Belfast, Northern Ireland. China is eyeing increased investment in Northern Ireland, which has a unique status as part of both the United Kingdom and the European single market. Photo: Getty Images
Britain

UK health secretary denies plot to topple Starmer as prime minister

Wes Streeting says he supports Keir Starmer, as opinion polls suggest he is one of the most unpopular prime ministers of all time.

Britain

UK seals US$11 billion Eurofighter sale deal with Nato ally Turkey

Britain’s defence ministry described the order, which involves 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, as the ‘biggest fighter jet deal in a generation’.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement