UK economy

Tighter visa rules and increased competition from Asia are affecting international student flows into country

Britons have also become more optimistic about the economy

Private sector regular earnings rise by 2.8% in annual terms; unemployment rate holds at 4.9%

2027 may see economic contraction if the waterway’s closure extends, says EY

Unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds stood at 16.4%, the highest in a decade

Total volume of goods sold in stores and online rose 1% in June

Britain’s economy outlook for the next 12 months was the most optimistic since October 2024

A sweeping overhaul signals a new financial direction for the country, but markets remain cautious

Consumer prices rose 2.6% in the 12 months to June, easing from the 2.8% increase the previous month