Business

Revised figures have confirmed that the UK economy avoided recession in the second half of last year, posting 0.1% growth in the fourth quarter. The original estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) between October and November, released in mid-February, had shown zero growth. A recession is generally defined in the UK as two consecutive quarters

The UK is set to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership – known as CPTPP – in what the government says is its biggest trade deal since Brexit. The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between 11 countries across the Indo-Pacific – namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand,

The government has frozen plans to accelerate the rise in the state pension age. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride confirmed the move following newspaper reports that suggested the government was erring over the plans. The age at which the state pension is payable currently stands at 66, and by the end of 2028, it

UK car production was up 13.1% year-on-year in February, driven by an uplift in export numbers. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that 69,707 cars were made last month, with 81.2% of those destined for overseas markets. Almost 60% of those exported went to the European Union, by far the biggest market

The union representing Royal Mail’s frontline staff is on the verge on announcing new strike dates, Sky News understands, should a final push to end their long-running dispute fail. A Communication Workers Union (CWU) source said talks at the conciliation service Acas were scheduled for Thursday but fresh walkouts could be called the following day

How worried should we be about the banks? It’s a question that’s been hanging over the financial system since the collapse in the space of a fortnight of three moderate American banks, including Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), followed by Swiss behemoth Credit Suisse. The spectacle of regulators, political leaders and bankers spending sleepless weekends managing

The Bank of England governor has told MPs the regulator is currently in a period of “very heightened tension and alertness”. However, speaking to the Treasury Committee on Tuesday, Andrew Bailey said the country is not in a period comparable to the financial crash of 2018 – but that vigilance is needed. He said: “I

British gambling company William Hill has been hit by a record £19.2m fine by the UK gambling regulator. Three gambling businesses owned by the company will pay the sum for “widespread and alarming” social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures, the Gambling Commission said. The entities who will pay the fines will be paid by WHG

British Airways has been forced to cancel flights at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 over the Easter period due to strike action by security workers. The airline is expected to cancel up to 32 flights a day between 31 March and 9 April. A BA statement read: “Following Heathrow’s requirement for us to reduce the number of

A buyer has been found for the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank, the bank whose downfall heralded the financial unrest still being felt across the banking world. First Citizen Bank, self-described as one of America’s largest family-controlled banks, has bought SVB from US regulator the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) which took over the lender earlier

A loyalty app which counts Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group among its shareholders has secured a £9m funding lifeline. Sky News understands that existing investors in Loyalty Angels, which trades as Bink, have agreed to provide £7.5m in new capital. They have also indicated that they will agree to underwrite a further £1.5m of investment,

Manchester United received a fresh Qatari bid overnight – as the battle to purchase the Premier League giants intensifies. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani made the offer after asking for a deadline extension on Wednesday. He joins Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, who made his own second formal bid for the club, and comes after

The renowned activist investor Elliott Management is plotting a takeover of large chunks of Cineworld, the stricken London-listed cinema operator. Sky News has learnt that Elliott is interested in acquiring Cineworld’s operations in eastern Europe and Israel. While Elliott is also understood to have explored a bid for the whole of the ailing group, its

It is another “risk off” day in the jargon for stock markets in Europe. Banking stocks, in particular, are falling out of bed. Shares of Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, Germany’s two largest lenders, have fallen at their worst by 13% and 8% respectively while BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, the first and third-largest banks in

Germany’s largest bank has become the focus in a new wave of selling across banking and wider financial stocks, less than a week after the forced takeover of Credit Suisse. Deutsche Bank shares were down 11% on the day at one stage, in volatile trading, after a sharp jump in the cost of insuring against

Millions of mobile phone and internet users are facing a price increase of 17.3% on their bills in just a week’s time. Every April, many broadband and mobile firms raise their prices in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus an additional 3-3.9%. As these price rises are often applied mid-contract, people either have

The Bank of England has revealed it no longer believes the UK will face a technical recession this year, as it raised the interest rate by a further quarter percentage point. The unexpected change to its forecast was contained in the minutes alongside its decision to raise borrowing costs for an eleventh successive time to

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates for the 11th time in less than 18 months after Wednesday’s surprise jump in inflation.  It is due to announce its latest decision at noon as it tries to reconcile the UK’s weak economic outlook and an international banking crisis. Any increase would be part

Striking Amazon workers have vowed to step up industrial action following an “insulting” new pay rise. It comes after Amazon announced on Wednesday that it will increase the minimum starting salary of its UK workforce by at least 50p to between £11 and £12 per hour from April. The company said the exact amount will

Delivery giant Just Eat has announced it is to axe 1,700 jobs as it ceases to employ its delivery riders and drivers. The service said it will use entirely gig economy workers to deliver food in the UK, as opposed to the hybrid system of employees and self-employed workers. Delivery staff have been given six