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Brexit and the ensuing political turmoil under the Conservative Party has hindered efforts to attract investment to the UK, a minister has admitted.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride conceded that creating “frictions” between Britain and the European Union will have had an impact.

His comments came after Paul Drechsler, the chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce UK, said Labour is now winning the argument on business.

Mr Drechsler, who was previously skills adviser to former Conservative prime minister David Cameron, blamed Brexit and the unsettled political atmosphere afterwards for reducing the willingness of firms to invest in Britain.

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The former head of the Confederation of British Industry also blamed former prime minister Boris Johnson’s threats to breach international law over Brexit and his unlawful prorogation of parliament as issues which have scared businesses away from the UK.

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Asked about Mr Drechsler’s remarks, Mr Stride told the BBC’s The World At One programme: “I think if you have a situation where you create frictions between yourself and your major trading partners, I think you have to accept that that will have an impact.”

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Mr Stride, who voted to Remain in the 2016 referendum, conceded it was “taking a bit of time” to benefit from the business opportunities from Brexit, but added: “They are coming through – you can see them coming through.

“We’ve moved on now and I accept that and I cannot argue now that there are not major opportunities, what we need to do now is get out there and capitalise on them and that’s what we’re determined to do.”

His comments also come amid concerns from prominent Brexiteers about a “secret” summit attended by Cabinet minister Michael Gove seeking to address the challenges of Brexit.

Number 10 suggested Rishi Sunak did not know in advance that Mr Gove would be attending, adding that the PM is focused on the benefits of Brexit.

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The International Monetary Fund has forecast that Britain will be the only G7 nation – including Russia – to see its economy shrink in 2023.

While Bank of England policymaker Jonathan Haskel has said that Brexit caused investment in UK businesses to plateau and dealt a productivity penalty worth £29bn.

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UK growth slows as economy feels effect of higher business costs

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UK growth slows as economy feels effect of higher business costs

UK economic growth slowed as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs hit and businesses grappled with higher costs, official figures show.

A measure of everything produced in the economy, gross domestic product (GDP), expanded just 0.3% in the three months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It’s a slowdown from the first three months of the year when businesses rushed to prepare for Mr Trump’s taxes on imports, and GDP rose 0.7%.

Caution from customers and higher costs for employers led to the latest lower growth reading.

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Claire’s to appoint administrators for UK and Ireland business – putting thousands of jobs at risk

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Claire's to appoint administrators for UK and Ireland business - putting thousands of jobs at risk

Fashion accessories chain Claire’s is set to appoint administrators for its UK and Ireland business – putting around 2,150 jobs at risk.

The move will raise fears over the future of 306 stores, with 278 of those in the UK and 28 in Ireland.

Sky News’ City editor Mark Kleinman reported last week that the US-based Claire’s group had been struggling to find a buyer for its British high street operations.

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Prospective bidders for Claire’s British arm, including the Lakeland owner Hilco Capital, backed away from making offers in recent weeks as the scale of the chain’s challenges became clear, a senior insolvency practitioner said.

Claire’s has now filed a formal notice to administrators from advisory firm Interpath.

Administrators are set to seek a potential rescue deal for the chain, which has seen sales tumble in the face of recent weak consumer demand.

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Claire’s UK branches will remain open as usual and store staff will stay in their positions once administrators are appointed, the company said.

Will Wright, UK chief executive at Interpath, said: “Claire’s has long been a popular brand across the UK, known not only for its trend-led accessories but also as the go-to destination for ear piercing.

“Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern for as long as we can, while we assess options for the company.

“This includes exploring the possibility of a sale which would secure a future for this well-loved brand.”

The development comes after the Claire’s group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a court in Delaware last week.

It is the second time the group has declared bankruptcy, after first filing for the process in 2018.

Chris Cramer, chief executive of Claire’s, said: “This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire’s across all markets.

“In the UK, taking this step will allow us to continue to trade the business while we explore the best possible path forward. We are deeply grateful to our employees, partners and our customers during this challenging period.”

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Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Claire’s attraction has waned, with its high street stores failing to pull in the business they used to.

“While they may still be a beacon for younger girls, families aren’t heading out on so many shopping trips, with footfall in retail centres falling.

“The chain is now faced with stiff competition from TikTok and Insta shops, and by cheap accessories sold by fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu.”

Claire’s has been a fixture in British shopping centres and on high streets for decades, and is particularly popular among teenage shoppers.

Founded in 1961, it is reported to trade from 2,750 stores globally.

The company is owned by former creditors Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital following a previous financial restructuring.

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Typical two-year mortgage deal at near three-year low – below 5% since mini-budget

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Typical two-year mortgage deal at near three-year low - below 5% since mini-budget

The average two-year mortgage rate has fallen below 5% for the first time since the Liz Truss mini-budget.

The interest rate charged on a typical two-year fixed mortgage deal is now 4.99%, according to financial information company Moneyfacts.

It means there are more expensive and also cheaper two-year mortgage products on the market, but the average has fallen to a near three-year low.

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Not since September 2022 has the average been at this level, before former prime minister Liz Truss announced her so-called mini-budget.

 

The programme of unfunded spending and tax cuts, done without the commentary of independent watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility, led to a steep rise in the cost of government borrowing and necessitated an intervention by monetary regulator the Bank of England to prevent a collapse of pension funds.

It was also a key reason mortgage costs rose as high as they did – up to 6% for a typical two-year deal in the weeks after the mini-budget.

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Why?

The mortgage borrowing rate dropped on Wednesday as the base interest rate – set by the Bank of England – was cut last week to 4%. The reduction made borrowing less expensive, as signs of a struggling economy were evident to the rate-setting central bankers and despite inflation forecast to rise further.

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Bank of England cuts interest rate

It’s that expectation of elevated price rises that has stopped mortgage rates from falling further. The Bank had raised interest rates and has kept them comparatively high as inflation is anticipated to rise faster due to poor harvests and increased employer costs, making goods more expensive.

The group behind the figures, Moneyfacts, said “While the cost of borrowing is still well above the rock-bottom rates of the years immediately preceding that fiscal event, this milestone shows lenders are competing more aggressively for business.”

In turn, mortgage providers are reluctant to offer cheaper products.

A further cut to the base interest rate is expected before the end of 2025, according to London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data. Traders currently bet the rate will be brought to 3.75% in December.

This expectation can influence what rates lenders offer.

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