Business

Joe Biden on Friday spoke out in support of auto workers as they launched a historic series of strikes after their union failed to reach an agreement with the US’s three largest vehicle manufacturers. “No one wants a strike, but I respect workers’ rights to use their options under the …

Businesses are pulling back on hiring and slowing their output under the strain of rising borrowing costs, according to a study that gives a further signal that the Bank of England could limit future interest rate rises. A modest pickup in manufacturing in August failed to prevent a slowdown in …

More than half of English schools that are so dilapidated they are at risk of partial closure were refused money under the government’s school rebuilding scheme, Department for Education (DfE) statistics show. Amid mounting concerns about a wider apparent neglect of the schools estate in recent years, beyond the immediate …

Electricity companies will no longer be able to deploy a controversial tactic that forces up bills at the expense of consumers, the energy watchdog has said as it unveiled rules designed to curb firms making “excessive” profits in the winter. Ofgem said electricity generators could face “stiff penalties” of up …

With a general election not far away and the economy still struggling, Rishi Sunak is on the hunt for good news. Next month he will be in New Delhi for the G20 summit – a visit that will be unusually rich with picture opportunities and chances to strike deals. Sunak’s …

UK growth will be the slowest in the G7 in 2024, Labour analysis of the latest economic forecasts shows, as Keir Starmer said that the economic climate would prevent him from going to university today. The opposition said the economy was “stuck in a low-growth trap” that had led to …

“I’m into my fifth week now: I’m a newbie!” says 60-year-old Andy Barnard, who was a regular customer at his local Co-op in Lincoln before the manager suggested he apply for a job. “It ranges from working on the tills, on the shop floor, stacking stuff and just generally doing …

Wilko is facing anger from shoppers after its helplines shut down just as the business called in administrators, leaving customers scrambling to get information on refunds and deliveries. The budget retailer, which paused online deliveries earlier this the week, saw its social media feeds filled with requests for information on …

Homeowners who used the government’s help-to-buy loan scheme to buy a property are still reporting delays in getting hold of vital paperwork, weeks after the agency that runs the programme said it was working to put things right. Borrowers have reported that sales have been put at risk and remortgages …

Meta has begun the process to end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada, the company said on Tuesday. The move comes in response to legislation in the country requiring internet giants to pay news publishers. Meta’s communications director, Andy Stone, said the changes will …