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Economy and business environment

Make sense of the ever-changing world with upheaval and disruption all around us. The world in which we operate never stays the same, our content helps you stay on top of it.
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Latest on economy and business environment

Read our latest features and articles on the economy.
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Lessons on VAT from New Zealand and Australia
  • Article
  • 27 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
For UK tax policy stakeholders, fascinating case studies of how other countries are approaching VAT can be found on the other side of the world.
Man in suit pulling out some bank notes from an envelope
Accountants must rally together to combat corruption
  • Article
  • 25 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
ICAEW is contributing to the battle against procurement fraud and is sharing best practices to combat corruption, which costs the global economy £2trn annually. Discover how you can make a difference.
London Westminster
Economy explainers: what are interest rates?
  • Article
  • 22 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
Interest rates are often discussed in the media and political debates. But how are they calculated and how do they affect people and businesses? ICAEW experts offer this simple guide on interest rates, the future outlook and the challenges in managing them.
chart 22 Nov
Chart of the week: Inflation jump
  • Article
  • 22 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
Our chart this week looks at how the jump in annual inflation from 1.7% in September to 2.3% in October was (perhaps surprisingly) driven by falling energy prices.
A pair of hands typing on the laptop keyboard
Public finances fall short as Chancellor defends tax rises
  • Article
  • 21 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
The first monthly public sector finance release following the Autumn Budget confirms how much reliance the Chancellor is placing on tax rises to stabilise the public finances.
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The case for action on late payments
  • Article
  • 18 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
A small practice round table at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, attended by Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, outlined the impacts of late payments on economic growth.
trade ship
How will Trump’s tariffs affect global trade?
  • Article
  • 15 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
President-elect Trump says he will bring in tariffs when he takes office next January, so what will this mean for US consumers and exporters to the US?
trade ship
Trade: helping clients navigate export complexity
  • Article
  • 15 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW
Almost five years since Brexit and the complexities of EU trading are showing no sign of abating. With more regulation on the horizon, advisers may need to help clients with supply chain reviews to help them navigate complexities.
Read more

ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor

Read the latest BCM reports

Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) is one of the largest and most comprehensive quarterly surveys of UK business confidence. National, regional and sector reports are available.
View BCM reports
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UK Economic Update

Monthly bulletins from ICAEW, tracking key trends and developments in the UK economy.
Economic update: stars align for November interest rate cut
  • Article
  • Nov 2024
Following the Autumn Budget, UK interest rates are expected to fall to their lowest level since May 2023. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications, what you need to know about current economic conditions and key points to watch.
Economic update: examining pre-Budget indicators
  • Article
  • Oct 2024
Ahead of the new government’s first Budget, interest rates are on hold despite the economy stagnating for the second successive month. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: is the UK economy flattering to deceive?
  • Article
  • Sep 2024
The UK economy enjoyed a strong first half of the year, but falling productivity suggests that significant structural challenges remain. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: when will UK interest rates fall next?
  • Article
  • Aug 2024
UK economic activity bounces back as interest rates fall for the first time in 4 years. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: inflation target hit, but economy stalls
  • Article
  • Jul 2024
UK inflation finally returns to target, but the economy flatlines as UK GDP was dampened by severe weather throughout April. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: short-term gain masks underlying pain
  • Article
  • Jun 2024
Significant challenges remain despite the UK’s exit from recession. Ahead of next month’s general election, ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the key points to watch.
Economic update: UK outlook tough despite imminent recession exit
  • Article
  • May 2024
UK poised to emerge from recession as business confidence hits two-year high. However, emerging challenges may hinder progress. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the key points to watch.
Economic update: why the recession may soon be over
  • Article
  • Apr 2024
The UK’s recession appears to be ending with cuts to summer interest rate likely. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the key points to watch.

Other reports from ICAEW

Webinars and podcasts

ep 81 business confidence
Business confidence, local authority finance, probate delays, and tax reform
  • Podcast
  • 12 Aug 2024
In this bumper episode, we discuss the latest findings of ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor, why three-quarters of councils in England are at least a year behind in publishing audited accounts, and more.
starmer
How to get Britain growing
  • Podcast
  • 15 Jul 2024
One week on from the general election, this special episode of Accountancy Insights discusses the policies of the new UK government.
ep 70
Budget 2024: does it change anything?
  • Podcast
  • 08 Mar 2024
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the contents of the 2024 Spring Budget and their likely impacts on the UK economy.
ep 71
Does Britain have a farming problem?
  • Podcast
  • 08 Mar 2024
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss how changes to the funding of British farms could affect the UK’s broader economic resilience.
London city skyline buildings skyscrapers sunrise sunset sun light reflecting on The Shard
What can we expect from 2024?
  • Podcast
  • 15 Dec 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss what 2024 is likely to bring for businesses and their accountants.
Male and female manufacturing workers
How to build a workforce of the future
  • Podcast
  • 27 Oct 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore strategies to expand and upskill Britain’s workforce.
ep 57
The PM’s pledges: where are we now?
  • Podcast
  • 01 Sep 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we analyse the health of the UK economy through the lens of the Prime Minister’s pledges for 2023.
ep 55
Commercial property: economic bellwether or laggard?
  • Podcast
  • 28 Jul 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we analyse the UK’s current economic turbulence through the lens of the commercial property sector.
More webinars

Support from the Library

Doing business in...

Use the ICAEW Library's country profiles to explore the key issues for doing business in over 130 countries and jurisdictions. Find business guides and trade data, check the economic and political outlook, and get help with company research.
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External resources

KPMG UK Economic Outlook
  • Website
  • KPMG
KPMG's regular UK Economic Outlook looks at prospects for the economy, providing economic forecasts and analysis from KPMG’s global team of economists.
OECD UK Economic snapshot
  • Website
  • Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
OECD snapshot of the UK economy, providing economic projection data and covering structural reform priorities.
Office for National Statistics: Economy
  • Website
  • Office for National Statistics
Data on UK economic activity, covering production, distribution, consumption and trade of goods and services.
PwC UK Economic Outlook
  • Website
  • PwC
PwC's latest bi-annual analysis of the UK economy, spotlighting growth, inflation and the labour market.
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