Business

This morning, business leaders sent the first clear signal that things have stopped getting better. The economy was finally showing signs of life, and Starmer has crushed it by pursuing a misguided political strategy.Businesses turned more cautious in August, as Labour lines up a string of tax hikes and boosts trade union power and employment rights.In doing so, Starmer has hit business investment, destroyed confidence and made employers reluctant to take on more staff.With terrifying clarity, today's survey of UK business leaders by The Institute of Directors (IoD) reveals the damage Starmer and Reeves have inflicted.It shows the sharpest decline in business investment intentions since the start of pandemic lockdowns in 2020.Starmer's aggressive tax hike threats are effectively locking...

Martin Lewis has called the 880,000 older Britons missing out on Pension Credit support a “national tragedy” and urged those eligible to claim it.The Money Saving Expert founder is supporting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in its 'Week of Action,' which aims to boost the uptake of this under-claimed benefit, potentially providing eligible individuals with around £3,900 in additional financial support each year.This Pension Credit awareness campaign comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ controversial decision to narrow Winter Fuel Payment eligibility to address a £22 billion gap in the country’s finances. Previously, these payments were available to all pensioners of a certain age in England and Wales.This year, however, they will be means-tested, with only those receiving ce...

WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners will be attending two party conferences later this month to renew their calls for DWP compensation and have set out a plan of action to get justice for women who it is claimed missed out on their fair pensions.Angela Madden, chair of WASPI, said: "We are going to both the Liberal Democrat and Labour conferences, where we hope to meet more MPs and Labour supporters."The way Labour MPs will change their mind if they don't support is if their constituents ask them to, to tell their MP that they want them to represent WASPI women."She said the WASPI group will have an exhibition stand at the Labour party conference, which is taking place in Liverpool from September 22 to 25.They will also be trying to arrange meetings at the event t...

Thousands of working parents will be able to grab a handout worth up to £4,684 from today, the Government has announced.From Monday, September 2, hundreds of thousands of eligible working parents of children aged nine months old or more will begin to be able to access 15 hours of government-funded early education per week, worth up to £5,740 per year.For parents of primary school aged children, new "wraparound" childcare places will be available before and after school as well.The free hours are being phased in, with the amount doubling to 30 hours from next September.The average cost of nursery care in the UK is £300 a week for 50 hours of childcare, meaning that the 15 free hours are worth the equivalent of about £90 per week or £4,684 per year.Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson s...

Martin Lewis has shared a brilliant way people can clear their credit card debts if they are struggling to get on top of their outgoings and the and amounts they need to pay back each month.The money saving expert, speaking on the ITV1 and ITVX Martin Lewis Money Show Live, set out key advice on credit cards and debts including how to make balance transfers to 0 percent interest cards in order to buy breathing room to get debt free.But it was one very unusual piece of advice which caught people's attention - and all you need is a fridge freezer, a bowl of water and your chosen credit card.Martin urged his ITV1 and ITVX viewers to get a 0 percent credit card using a balance transfer, and then focus on clearing the debt during the free interest period.He warned that the average 0 percent ...

Train operators are preparing to cut railcard discounts in a blow to families, veterans and pensioners.Fare reductions are to be reduced from 34 percent to 33.4 percent from September 15.Railcards affected include those held by people aged 16-30 or 60 and over; families travelling with children; individuals with a disability and military veterans.Discounts are currently calculated as 34 percent, but train operators will take advantage of an easing of system limitations to apply a smaller reduction of 33.4 percent.Examples of Anytime Return fare increases for railcard holders include from £194.15 to £195.90 from Cardiff to London as well as £72.60 to £73.25 from Birmingham to Manchester.A section on railcard discounts on the National Rail Enquiries website was updated in June to remove r...

The Amazon founder, and the world's third-richest person, agreed to pay $68 million for an estate in Indian Creek, a man-made barrier island near Miami, Florida. (The Mega Agency) Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reportedly got himself a new ride: a Gulfstream G700. He is thought to have taken possession of the top-of-the-line private jet in July, Business Insider reported, citing JetSpy data. The aircraft reportedly adds to three aircraft that he already has, including a pair of Gulfstream G650 jets also made by General Dynamics subsidiary Gulfstream Aerospace. His fleet features a Pilatus PC-24 too, according to the outlet. The Gulfstream G700 aircraft. (Gulfstream / Fox News)Earlier this month, the Gulfstream G700 linked to Bezos reportedly made a stop in the Spanish island of Ibi...

New Yorkers are feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks after a listeria outbreak has affected seven million pounds of cold cuts. (Credit: WNYW) The Virginia plant where Boar's Head produced its tainted products had dozens of health and safety violations, prompting a lawyer to liken it to a "listeria factory."  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service published a 74-page PDF earlier this month detailing the numerous violations that were found at the Jarrett, Virginia, plant from January 2022 through Aug. 1, 2024. The report included that "multiple instances of meat were found around the department on the floor," and "standing water containing a brown mud/dirt like substance." SIX MORE DEATHS LINKED TO BOAR'S HEAD LISTERIA OUTBREAK Multiple reports foun...

A man who was stuck paying 34 percent interest on a £20,000 debt has now cleared his debts thanks to a mortgage switch.Richard Jones, 61, from Manchester, ended up in debt after being duped by a cryptocurrency scam.He initially made £731 in profit through the scheme but soon found himself thousands of pounds into debt.Faced with the huge amount to pay, he decided to use his savings and credit cards as a way to clear the amount, but this meant huge interest payments, with one card having a 34 percent interest rate.He then approached Saga Mortgages to explore his options to help with his predicament.Mr Jones said: "I’ve never actually used Saga before, but I received their newsletter and that’s how I heard about Saga Mortgages."He was able to switch his mortgage from a Buy to Let to a Ret...

Households are being urged to check if they could be eligible for a 100 percent discount on their council tax. Certain homes will not have to pay the bill at all, while others will have a smaller discount, if the residents claim benefits or are classed as a low income.The reduction is available whether you are renting or a homeowner and can be given to both unemployed and employed people.Known as council tax reduction, or council tax support, the discount will vary depending on your local council.On its website, the Government explains: “You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100 percent.”The reduction you are able to get will also depend on:Your circumstances (for example income, number of children, benefits, residency sta...