Business

China has released a slew of economic data this morning, showing its economy grew last year by a solid 5% percent, meeting the government’s target. Other annual figures released show that total retail sales of consumer goods were up by 3.5% last year, compared to 2023. But despite these positive indicators China’s economy is still

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned against the prospects of a renewed US-led trade war, just days before Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term in the White House. The world’s lender of last resort used the latest update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) to lay out a series of consequences for

Donald Trump will address business and world leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in a virtual appearance from the US three days after his inauguration as President. The Davos event, which starts on Monday, will attract more than 3,000 business and political leaders to the Swiss Alps. They will include 900

As the dust settles on a tumultuous week for gilts (UK government bonds) and sterling – a week that has raised serious questions about chancellor Rachel Reeves’s stewardship of the economy – the big question many people will be asking is why investor sentiment has shifted so much against the UK in the past week.

Grocery shoppers are being warned of renewed hikes to food costs in the months ahead due to retailers passing on budget tax hike costs. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) warned that food prices will rise by an average of 4.2% in the latter half of the year – piling more pressure on households at a

As energy bills become more expensive from 1 January, respected forecasters have said they are likely to rise further in spring instead of fall, as first anticipated. The energy price cap rises from January, bringing the cost of a typical annual bill to £1,738 – £21 a year more than from October to December. Bills

Manchester United Football Club is to cut the funding it provides to its charitable arm as part of a purge of costs being overseen by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, its newest billionaire shareholder. Sky News has learnt that the Premier League club plans to inform the Manchester United Foundation that it intends to curb the benefits

UK car manufacturing fell again in November, the ninth month of decline in a row, according to industry data. A total of 64,216 cars were produced in UK factories last month, 27,711 fewer than in November last year – a 30% drop, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The

Inflation has risen for the second month in a row, according to official figures. The overall rate of price rises – as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) – grew by 2.6% in November. It’s a further move away from the Bank of England‘s target 2% inflation rate after the rate ticked up to

Every week in our Money blog, we answer questions about your financial problems or consumer disputes. This week, a reader asked what they have to do if they are overpaid. Debbie asked: “I work as a chef for a high-profile hotel. In August I was overpaid by £560. I’ve spoken to a colleague who said

A food supply chain technology start-up which aims to drive reductions in waste has landed millions of pounds in funding from a syndicate of investors. Sky News understands that Cerve, which was effectively founded earlier this year, has secured £3.5m in a round led by business-to-business software specialist SuperSeed. Venture capital investors Zenith, Ponderosa and

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has been valued at more than $100,000 for the first time, spurred on by Donald Trump’s latest nomination for his presidential team. The cryptocurrency was valued at $103,280 (£81,160) as of 4.10am UK time, leaping in value by 7.9% in the previous 24 hours, according to currency converter XE.com. It’s

Luxury fashion brand Burberry has taken legal action against discount retailer B&M over potential trademark breaches. Burberry launched High Court proceedings on Monday under trademark grounds, indicating concerns the discount chain was falsely representing their goods as Burberry. Neither Burberry nor B&M gave Sky News further detail. Money latest: Taxman issues clarification on selling items

House prices are now growing far higher than expected and at the fastest annual rate in nearly two years, the UK’s largest building society has said. In the year up to November, houses became 3.7% more valuable, according to Nationwide. Not since November 2022 have prices been rising as fast. Prices are now just 1%

Elon Musk has again been prevented from becoming even richer by a US court which blocked his $56bn (£44bn) pay package despite company shareholders approving the sum. Shareholders of the world’s most valuable carmaker Tesla, had approved the package in June, which if paid would have been the biggest ever for the head of a

Just Eat has revealed plans to abandon its London stock market listing by the end of the year, dealing a fresh blow to the City. The Netherlands-based food delivery firm said the decision would allow it to cut costs and complexity. It would maintain a single listing in its home market, Just Eat’s statement said,

A UK-based business which uses thermal imaging to detect heat loss from buildings anywhere on Earth will announce this week that it has raised another £10m from prominent backers. Sky News understands that SatVu has secured the funding ahead of two satellite launches scheduled to take place next year. The fundraising is being led by

The closure of Vauxhall’s Luton van plant is a car crash for the 1,100 workers who could lose their jobs and threatens to trigger a pile-up for a government facing acute pressure from manufacturers over its plans to transition to an electric-only future. Stellantis, Vauxhall’s parent company which also owns Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot, has

The managing director of Jaguar has hit out at what he called “vile hatred and intolerance” after the car company released a new advert. A 30-second clip posted on the luxury car brand’s X account on Tuesday prompted online backlash after it featured a diverse group of models posing in bright clothes but no vehicles

Gas and electricity bills will become even more expensive in January, as the energy regulator Ofgem ups the price cap. A typical yearly bill will be £1,738 from January, an increase of 1.2%. For billpayers, it means an extra £21 a year or around £1.75 a month. It’s another blow as falls in prices had