Economy
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Economy ONS corrects Labour Force Survey figures after user feedback
The Office for National Statistics has confirmed that figures affected by an operational issue in its Labour Force Survey have been…
6 October 2026 -
Economy UK adult smoking rate falls to record low
An estimated 4.9 million UK adults smoked cigarettes in 2025 — the lowest proportion since comparable records began in 2011, according to…
6 October 2026 -
Economy E-cigarette use holds at 5.4 million adults across Great Britain in 2025
ONS survey data shows one in ten adults aged 16 and over used an e-cigarette daily or occasionally in 2025, with the 25 to 34 age group…
6 October 2026 -
Economy UK automotive fuel price growth rose sharply in week to 20 September 2026
ONS figures show the growth rate for average automotive fuel prices climbed 3 percentage points week on week and sat 30 percentage points…
2 October 2026 -
Economy Financial services firms plan more IT spending but less on physical assets
A CBI survey published in September 2025 found that financial services firms expected to increase IT investment over the following 12…
2 October 2026 -
Economy England’s population rises to 58.8 million while Wales records first fall in a decade
ONS mid-2025 estimates put England’s population at 58,834,800 after a gain of 227,600 people, while Wales shrank by 2,800 — its first…
2 October 2026 -
Economy UK financial services decline eases sharply in third quarter, CBI finds
Business volumes fell at a modest pace in the three months to September 2026, recovering from a sharp second-quarter drop, though firms…
2 October 2026 -
Economy Bank of England holds interest rates but warns energy prices could force a rise
The Bank of England kept Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent on 16 September 2026, but a divided vote and persistent energy-price pressures mean a…
1 October 2026 -
Economy UK pension schemes hit £1,051 billion combined market value
The combined market value of selected private and public sector occupational pension schemes rose by £50 billion in six months, the Office…
1 October 2026 -
Economy ONS launches free classroom resources using real-world data
Free Economics, Business Studies and Geography teaching packs for students aged 16 and over are now available to download under the Open…
30 September 2026 -
Economy UK economy grew 0.5% in second quarter of 2026, ONS confirms
Revised figures from the Office for National Statistics put UK real GDP growth at 0.5% between April and June 2026, nudging up 0.1…
30 September 2026 -
Economy UK current account deficit narrows to £11.3bn in second quarter of 2026
The underlying UK current account deficit shrank by £3.0bn between April and June 2026, falling to £11.3bn — equivalent to 1.4 per cent of…
30 September 2026