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Economy & Policy

UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner

Labour’s workers’ rights reforms risk harming those they seek to protect

The well-intentioned reforms could discourage employers from taking chances on inexperienced candidates, says Szu Ping Chan

Szu Ping Chan

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump debate

Starmer’s mission of economic growth hinges on outcome of US election

The UK's prime minister and foreign secretary face a complex diplomatic challenge in building or rebuilding ties with the 47th US president

Steven Swinford

Exterior of Hargreaves Landsdown building in Bristol

The biggest challenge Britain faces is keeping its success stories here

There is a scale-up difficulty as fundraising gets harder, but companies also need to feel loved, says economics expert Szu Ping Chan

Szu Ping Chan

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves leave after an interview at the London Stock Exchange

Expect a frenetic autumn as Labour gets set for three game-changing events

Radical reforms to workers’ rights, a rousing party conference and a tax-raising Budget will dominate

Steven Swinford

Collaboration, staff mentor and team designer working

Why you need a mentor

After navigating years of economic turbulence, business owners are finding renewed optimism, thanks largely to the support of co-founders, mentors, and coaches

Emma Jones

Headquarters of the Bank of England

Interest rate cut to 5%

Plus, CrowdStrike sued over global outage, the power of taking time off, Bill Ackman withdraws IPO despite “enormous investor interest” and people are not happy about Olympic selfies
Senior friends sitting in a garden

The ageing economy is the big trend to watch

As Britain's population ages and birth rates decline, the sustainability of the state pension and NHS is in jeopardy

Szu Ping Chan

Labour leader and incoming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media as he enters 10 Downing Street

The reality check: Starmer’s initial days in number 10

Steven Swinford breaks down the challenge ahead for the country's new prime minister

Steven Swinford

Airbus A350

Is this the most important business in Europe?

Plus, Britain set to miss 2030 clean power targets, chancellor aiming to woo US investors and exited Carpetright founder strikes rescue deal

Graham Ruddick, Josh Dornbrack

Magazine mockup - July.August.2024

Biden steps down and Britain’s billion-pound businesses

Plus, Biden steps down, company financial distress on the rise and the IMF issues the chancellor a stern warning

Graham Ruddick, Josh Dornbrack

Softbank Group CEO Masayoshi Son speaks during the annual general shareholders' meeting in Tokyo

Graphcore sold and Biden rattled

Plus, Rachel Reeves to form new council of economic advisers, UK business distress fastest rising in Europe and Rio Tinto is wargaming a massive takeover

Josh Dornbrack

Two saplings growing in soil

UK economy grows faster than expected

Plus, FCA overhauls listings regime, UK overtakes India as the world’s third-largest venture capital market and British tycoon closing in on a deal for The Body Shop

Josh Dornbrack

Close-up of British bank notes

Wage rises: A boost or brake on the economy?

Countries including the UK and US are increasing the legal minimum wage, but they must beware the dangers for businesses and employment

Szu Ping Chan

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer poses with Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (L), Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader (2nd R) and his shadow cabinet as Labour launch their general election manifesto on June 13, 2024 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Labour is consistently leading the polls by over 20 points, according to the latest YouGov data. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

The quest for economic growth

Sir Keir Starmer is betting the house on economic growth. If it doesn't win that bet the likely next government will face a tough choice on taxes and spending

Steven Swinford

General Election 2024 sign in front of Westminster

Britain, it’s time to make some tough decisions

When decision-makers stop making decisions, they're done. As the general election approaches, Britain must make the tough choices, not defer them

Ed Smith

Computer programmer working with male colleague in office

Smart firms needed smarter support to grow

Business support technology is evolving quickly, but SMEs still need more advanced digital pathways, says Enterprise Nation's Emma Jones

Emma Jones

Flags of Nordic countries

5 Nordic ideas to boost entrepreneurship in the UK 

The UK government wants to boost entrepreneurship. To do so, it could take inspiration from initiatives in the Nordic countries

Dougal Shaw

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 24: Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks to supporters during the launch of the Scottish Labour general election campaign at Caledonia House on May 24, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. Labour leader Keir Starmer is in Scotland to launch the party’s election campaign alongside his Scottish counterpart Anas Sarwar

Starmer might be ‘boring’, but his potential premiership won’t be dull

Starmer's critics see him as 'limited' but he is also ruthless and will shake-up how government is run, from centralising power to overhauling the civil service

Steven Swinford

Steven Swinford Starmer housebuilding illustration

Starmer is a man with a plan – for a huge expansion of housebuilding 

Housebuilding is likely to be a key battleground at the next election as politicians attempt to balance the need for more homes with a 'not in my backyard' outlook from voters

Steven Swinford

Rishi Sunak at the podium with Liz Truss and Boris Johnson's images to his left and right

Storm clouds over Number 10: The Sunak dilemma

With the 2 May local elections just around the corner, The Times' political editor Steven Swinford looks at the lay of the political land

Steven Swinford

The Chancellor Of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street on March 6, 2024

Spring Budget 2024: What it means for business

There wasn't much new in the budget but measures on national insurance, child benefits and tax rises were broadly welcomed

Graham Ruddick

Autumn in Warsaw, top view of the Palace of Culture in Poland

The rise of an underdog: How this European nation is quietly dominating the global stage

Poland is on the verge of becoming a great global power. The Polish economy has proven resilient to multiple global shocks, including the 2020 recession, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and tighter global financing conditions. What insights can this remarkable success story offer to other countries, and what can UK businesses do to...

Patricia Cullen