Cost of living

As the Bank of England ponders the next move on interest rates next week, storm clouds are gathering over the UK economy.

UK GDP: What now for interest rates as shock contraction sparks recession fears?
“These are not the figures the Chancellor would have wanted ahead of a raft of tough spending decisions” – Kevin Brown, Scottish Friendly

The SRC said poor weather may have deterred shoppers from buying new spring and summer fashions.

Tax troubles round corner for Scottish high street as store takings wane

Bundle energy, broadband and insurance with UW

Ultimate consumer hack: how bundling household bills can save money

Recent years have seen bakery chain Greggs introduce new product lines.

Greggs to hand out record £20.5m to staff but shares slump on sticky outlook

The new research suggests that too few of us are saving for the future.

Stark research reveals how little Scots are saving and the gap is widening

Fresh inflationary pressures will add to the money worries facing millions of people.

What now for interest rates as UK inflation jumps to 10-month high of 3%?

Analysis Why UK’s surprise growth is no cause for celebration as living standards slide

Inflation may have eased but shoppers will have noticed that many prices are still rising. The Bank of England has warned that inflation is likely to rebound to 3.7% this year.

Stagflation: What it is and why we should all be concerned

Last-minute Christmas shoppers might have been out in force but sales across the crucial golden trading quarter were flat.

December delivers for Scottish retailers as Black Friday and Xmas lift sales

Trim Castle Hotel, in County Meath, was signed up to a bespoke deal thanks to Radius Energy's tailored service

Luxury hotel shaves thousands off energy bills by recruiting experts

Suzi Nicol, owner of Sunshine Number 1 in Glasgow, who will be participating in Small Business Saturday on December 7.

Small Business Saturday: The post-Black Friday push to shop local on December 7

Dunelm store Fareham

The best deal in the Dunelm Black Friday sale is a winter warmer

Analysis Inflation shock: What the rise to 2.3% means for your savings and borrowings

The project will help supply power generated by new offshore wind farm developments.

£3.4bn electricity 'superhighway' between Scotland and England to help cut bills

The UK's electric car public charging network is rapidly expanding but many still see the lack of charge points in some areas and the costs as a stumbling block.

Electric switch: The used EVs and hybrids that have fallen by up to 31% in 2024

The new Christmas gifting trend is the £9.99 mystery deal

Deals website launches £9.99 mystery gift including £500 of vouchers

We've found three premium robot vacuums for less than £100

Robot vacuums for £100: We list the cheapest options on the market

Bank of England policymakers face a delicate balancing act when it comes to future interest rate decisions.

Why Britain’s return to growth could put interest rate cut on hold

(Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

The cheap winter heating solution that follows Martin Lewis' advice

The changeable weather is likely to have had an impact on shopping patterns.

Stark warning from Scottish high street after 'microscopic' sales gains

No one wants to answer the door to a bailiff so be prudent with your borrowing (Picture: Andrey Popov/Adobe)

Borrowing cash? Here’s what to watch out for

Set yourself a simple budget to avoid any shocks when the New Year brings new bills (Picture: Adobe)

We need to talk about Christmas…

These have been a stormy few months for rate-setters at the Bank of England, above.

Interest rate hold: The impact for borrowers and savers and when rates will fall

Analysis What 2.2% inflation means for rates, your mortgage and savings

A plate of fish and chips. (Pic credit: Leon Neal / AFP via Getty Images)

The tips and discounts that will get you a cheap local takeaway

Escape to the Canary Islands this October

Bargain breaks: Low-cost autumn holidays for last-minute sun

Selling your home can be expensive

How much it costs to list your house on Purplebricks

Aldi September offers range from household cleaning to DIY and renovation

The household bargains you'll find in the middle aisle for autumn

Shoppers could save money on their groceries from supermarkets, like one shown here

Weekly shop savings near you on Amazon - if you know where to look

Many senior citizens are worried at the loss of the winter fuel payment (Picture: Adobe)

How to get some expert help with your energy bills

Colder months ahead and a rising energy cap will mean increased bills this winter

Could installing a heat pump be the answer to rising energy bills?

The uptick in headline inflation in July 2024 was driven partly by a sharp drop in energy bills last July falling out of the year on year calculations.

UK inflation shock: What does a jump in prices mean for interest rates?

Analysis Mortgages, savings and loans - what the interest rate cut means for you

Analysis How Taylor Swift may have prevented an interest rate cut on August 1

Surprisingly, perhaps, the study found that about two-thirds of UK households do have enough emergency savings built up.

Here's how much experts say you need in emergency savings. Do you have enough?

Analysis UK economy growing twice as fast as expected: what this means for your finances

The UK economy suffered two consecutive quarters of decline in the latter half of 2023 - leading to a technical recession.

Recession rebound: UK economy growing more strongly than first thought

Analysis Inflation milestone: Why prices are cooling and when interest rates will be cut

Do your homework before switching energy suppliers as tempting deals may save you less than it seems (Picture: Adobe)

Here’s how to get cheapest deals on energy bills - Martyn James

Shopper numbers are likely to have also been impacted by poor weather.

Retail leaders make pre-election plea after Scottish shopper footfall shock

Analysis Why inflation drop might not be the good news we hoped for

The official rate of inflation may have been on a downward trajectory in recent months but bills continue to stack up for most consumers and businesses.

Will tomorrow’s ‘make or break’ inflation data trigger a cut in interest rates?

Analysis Greggs: What makes Britain's biggest bakery chain recession resilient

Analysis Bank of England freezes interest rates but cut could be just weeks away

April was not a vintage month for retailers, with poor weather and Easter timing distortions taking their toll on store takings.

Scottish sales slump but spring heralds ‘grounds for cautious optimism’ - SRC

The Scotmid convenience stores are the most familiar face of the 165-year-old co-operative business.

Scotmid CEO bows out after 20 years leaving ‘strong and resilient organisation’

Industry figures show that more than 183,000 solar panel installations were carried out across the UK last year.

Scottish Gas seals solar panel deal to save cash-strapped households up to 90%

Analysis UK inflation woes: Why borrowers face a summer of pain despite cooling prices

The gig economy is typically associated with delivery jobs but also spans a range of sectors.

Uncertain future - the rise of the gig economy and how society needs to adapt

Tesco has 'cemented its position as the pre-eminent grocer of the British aisles', according to one analyst.

Tesco serves up some good news on inflation as profits hit £2.3bn: reaction

Housebuilders and related construction businesses have had a tough time due to soaring interest rates, rising costs and a slump in sales.

Crucial snapshots of housing market activity to shed light on health of industry

Easter weekend typically stands out as a highlight for retailers, as shoppers are enticed to venture out and make the most of the long bank holiday.

Easter week to mark 'turning point in prospects' as households splurge £400

Though there are some signs of optimism, the cost-of-living crisis continues to take a toll on business.

Scottish firms warn ‘persistently high cost of doing business’ hitting economy

Analysis Interest rates: Bank of England plays waiting game but cut could come in May

Joanna Morris, head of insight at Novuna Business Finance: 'As the backbone of the economy, small business owners find themselves in a relentless battle against rising costs and unpredictable market conditions.'

Scottish business owners being kept awake by high interest rates and Brexit

Wilko, which folded in 2023, was one the most dramatic retail sector collapses in recent years.

Scottish shop closure rate below UK average as takeaways and cafés 'flourish'

Last month, it emerged that Britain’s economy was in a technical recession after two consecutive quarters of GDP contraction.

UK GDP: Has the economy exited recession and when will interest rates fall?

Ad Feature Tackling ‘embodied carbon’ issue

Follow our advice to save on car breakdown cover

Expert shows how to save hundreds on car breakdown cover

How Jeremy Hunt can end fuel poverty for good in UK Budget Andrew Bartlett

Analysis Short and shallow: Why we shouldn't panic over news of another UK recession

The Office for National Statistics' data for January revealed a monthly drop in food prices of 0.4 per cent - the first since September 2021. Picture: Greg Macvean

Interest rates could be cut this spring as UK inflation holds steady: food falls

The miserable weather may have kept many shoppers away from the high street.

Retail leaders brand tax hike 'astonishing' as Scots sales suffer fresh decline

The Bank of England has come under pressure to cut interest rates from their near 16-year peak as inflation cools and the economy teeters on the edge of recession.

'Rapid' interest rate cuts still in pipeline despite BoE holding fire

Herringbone Abbeyhill in Edinburgh is one of the latest venues opened by Buzzworks.

Hospitality group with 19 venues warns rising costs could impact growth plans

Many businesses have been hit hard by rising interest rates, soaring costs and a lack of consumer confidence, with increasing numbers calling it a day.

Number of Scots firms on the brink soars amid 'debt storm' crunch

The figures point to a quiet December for many retailers following a better-than-expected November when the Black Friday event boosted takings.

Shock fall in UK sales may be 'temporary setback' as consumer confidence lifts

The big insurance increases have been fuelled by general inflationary pressures impacting the cost of repairs and claims, among other factors.

Central Belt drivers see car insurance premiums double in two years to £900

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