Finance

Published: 19 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. More than 1.1 million low-income families living in rented accommodation could face increasing financial pressure unless the UK government takes action to address a growing gap between housing support and actual private rents, according to a warning from the Resolution Foundation. The thinktank has called on the government to reconsider the freeze on Local Housing Allowance, saying the...

Published: 18 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Retail sales across Great Britain returned to growth in August, offering a fresh indication that consumer activity remains more resilient than some recent economic forecasts had suggested. Official figures showed that the volume of goods purchased increased by 0.5% during the month, reversing the decline recorded in July and exceeding expectations for a modest fall. The latest figures...

Published: 18 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Japan’s central bank has raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in more than three decades, as policymakers respond to persistent inflationary pressure and the economic effects of higher energy costs associated with the conflict in the Middle East. The Bank of Japan voted to increase its target short-term interest rate from 1% to 1.25%, taking...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia and Iran sanctions bill that would expand the president’s authority to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy, while Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries has raised concerns about provisions he says could leave significant loopholes in the legislation. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Thousands of Barclays employees are pushing back against the bank’s plans to increase the amount of time staff spend working from its offices, with the Unite union calling for financial support for additional commuting costs and exemptions for workers facing longer journeys. The dispute centres on changes due to take effect in October, when most affected Barclays employees...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online US President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with potentially heavy tariffs and restrictions on trade after Brussels proposed opening the way for Canada to become the bloc’s first associate member, sharply escalating tensions over the future direction of transatlantic economic and strategic relations. Trump described the European proposal as “laughable” and said Washington could respond if...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Britain’s economic picture has become more complicated ahead of the Bank of England’s latest interest-rate decision, with new analysis suggesting that the UK economy may have been more productive than previously estimated even as inflationary pressures and a weakening labour market create difficult choices for policymakers. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee was due to announce its...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The European Union and the United States have entered a fresh diplomatic dispute after US President Donald Trump warned that Europe could face “very serious tariffs” or restrictions on trade if the bloc proceeds with a proposal to deepen its relationship with Canada. The warning came less than a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The Conservatives are stepping up pressure on Chancellor John Healey to rule out tax increases ahead of the UK government's autumn Budget, as economic policy moves higher up the political agenda in Westminster. The Conservative challenge comes less than six weeks before the Budget, which the government has confirmed will take place on 28 October 2026. Healey, who...

Published: 17 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online British fashion and homeware retailer Next has raised its full-year profit forecast for the fourth time this year after stronger-than-expected sales during the first half, with unusually warm weather helping drive demand for summer clothing. The FTSE 100-listed retailer increased its forecast for full-year pre-tax profit by £12m to £1.26bn after reporting a stronger first-half performance than it...