Three in four people (75%) say that summer holidays are increasingly becoming a luxury that only some can afford, according to research by Compare the Market with over half (56%) of those intending to take a summer holiday this year concerned about the financial cost. More than one in four (28%) also admitted they felt…
Read moreBusiness confidence has risen two points to 54%, according to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer. The August reading marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase. Economic optimism edged down for the first time since April, with a fall of three points to 44%, but it remains above the long-term average of 19%. The increase was driven…
Read moreThe Trades Union Congress (TUC) has reported that over half of adults fear artificial intelligence (AI) may threaten their jobs. A recent survey revealed that 51% of working adults are anxious about AI’s impact, with concerns peaking among younger workers aged 25 to 34, where 62% expressed worry. The union body says AI technologies can…
Read moreBusiness confidence in the UK’s services sector has significantly declined in the quarter to August, albeit at a somewhat slower pace, according to the latest CBI survey. Companies are facing profit squeezes due to rising costs and falling sales, leading to reduced hiring and investment. With average selling prices rising at a much slower pace…
Read moreLatest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data has shown that household cost inflation was 3.9% in the year to June – up from 2.7% in the year to March. Lower earners were hit harder than higher earners – those in the second decile saw inflation of 4.1% and those in the ninth saw 3.8%, it…
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