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Economy and business environment

Make sense of the ever-changing world with upheaval and disruption all around us. The world in which we operate never stays the same, our content helps you stay on top of it.
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Latest on economy and business environment

Read our latest features and articles on the economy.
Suren Thiru on the new PM’s economic inheritance
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
Economic update: While the new prime minister is inheriting an economy that has returned to growth and seen inflation easing, the outlook is looking increasingly difficult as business confidence drops to near four-year low.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey visit the Hare pub as the government announces a 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
ICAEW reflects on Andy Burnham's first-week tax announcements
  • Article
  • 27 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty considers the announcements made during the new Prime Minister's first week in office, including reductions in VAT on domestic energy bills and in business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.
Origami downward arrow made from a financial chart on a green cutting mat beside pencils and a printed graph.
Business confidence in UK regions: challenges and opportunities
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
Business confidence is down across the UK and ICAEW’s latest research reveals that while many have common concerns there are slivers of optimism across certain regions. Find out how your area compares.
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Government sets out next steps for Small Business Plan
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
Late payments and regulatory reform are the headline changes as the government issues an update on its Small Business Plan.
Chart of the week: inflation
Chart of the week: inflation
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
Inflation dropped to 2.6% in June, with our chart this week illustrating how faster rises in energy prices have offset slower rises in food, alcohol and tobacco prices over the past year to keep inflation tracking core inflation downwards.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrives at 10 Downing Street
New PM should prioritise addressing tax burden, say ICAEW members
  • Article
  • 22 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
A poll of ICAEW members has revealed that Andy Burnham’s regional investment plans are seen positively by many, but that reducing taxes on business should be his top priority.
Chart of the week tax and spending by age
Chart of the week: tax and spending by age
  • Article
  • 16 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
Our chart this week looks at how tax and spending vary across age groups and what that means for the latest long-term fiscal projections recently published by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
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2026 six months in: international insights
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW
ICAEW offers insights into the key issues facing members around the world, from the growing demand for international expertise in China to the mandating of climate-related financial disclosures in Australia.
Read more

ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor

Read the latest BCM reports

Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) is one of the largest and most comprehensive quarterly surveys of UK business confidence. National, regional and sector reports are available.
View BCM reports
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UK Economic Update

Monthly bulletins from ICAEW, tracking key trends and developments in the UK economy.
2026 six months in: Iran leaves us with weak growth
  • Article
  • Jul 2026
ICAEW’s Chief Economist, Suren Thiru looks at how the global uncertainty caused by the conflict in Iran might impact the profession and wider economy.
Suren Thiru on how US-Iran peace deal could influence UK’s economic outlook
  • Article
  • Jun 2026
ICAEW’s Chief Economist Suren Thiru discusses what the US-Iran agreement could mean for the UK economy, including for energy costs, supply chains and interest rates.
Suren Thiru on why 2026’s strong start is unlikely to last
  • Article
  • May 2026
Storm clouds are gathering over the UK economy despite better-than-expected inflation and GDP growth figures. ICAEW’s Chief Economist Suren Thiru discusses the implications, what you need to know about current economic conditions and key points to watch.
Suren Thiru on how the Iran war is impacting the UK economy
  • Article
  • Apr 2026
As the Iran conflict causes business confidence to nosedive, increases inflation jumped and lowers payrolled employment, ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: impact of Middle East conflict
  • Article
  • Mar 2026
Suren Thiru, ICAEW Chief Economist, reflects on economic data published in March and the impact of the Middle East conflict. With energy prices soaring the Bank of England did not cut interest rates, but the possibility of rate rises are overstated.
Economic update: where is the UK economy heading?
  • Article
  • Feb 2026
The UK economy ended 2025 with a whimper, but the struggle against soaring prices took a decisive turn for the better this month. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications and key points to watch.
Spring rate cut now almost assured as inflation drops
  • Article
  • Feb 2026
With the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announcing that UK inflation fell to 3% in the year to January 2026, ICAEW’s Economics Director Suren Thiru says a spring interest rate cut is now almost a given.
Economic update: why the UK economy is sending red herring signals
  • Article
  • Jan 2026
The UK economy has grown but business confidence continues to weaken and inflation has risen. Suren Thiru, ICAEW’s Director, Economies, discusses the implications, what you need to know about current economic conditions and key points to watch.

Other reports from ICAEW

Webinars and podcasts

Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEW and Philippa Lamb
Looking ahead: HMRC’s digital moves and impacts of Iran war
  • Podcast
  • 01 Jul 2026
Six months into 2026, what’s next? Suren Thiru discusses the economy and the Iran War, while Lindsey Wicks oulines the biggest changes that HMRC are bringing in. Finally, Junaidy Ab-Mutalib considers the impacts of world affairs on accountants.
Fahad Asgar, Technical Manager and Philippa Lamb
Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP
  • Podcast
  • 06 May 2026
Everyone’s talking about energy costs at the moment. Greenfields Energy Group’s co-founder Liam Conway walks us through the energy impacts of the Iran War and outlines the best ways for businesses to protect themselves from global energy shocks.
Philippa Lamb and Tess Buckley
What does the Iran conflict really mean for British business?
  • Podcast
  • 31 Mar 2026
We’ve already seen immediate spikes and fluctuations in the oil price and the wider financial and commodity markets. But how will the UK economy be affected in the months to come and how heavy a price will British business pay? RSM Chief Economist Tom Pugh shares his thoughts.
Exclusive Exploring trade tariffs and the impact on businesses
  • Webinar
  • 24 Mar 2026
Our speakers share their insights on trade tariffs, explaining how they operate within international trade and UK Customs frameworks.
Exclusive Retail economic outlook 2026
  • Webinar
  • 11 Feb 2026
Looking ahead, what will drive the economy in 2026 – and how can retailers stay agile and prepare for what’s next?
Iain Wright and David Williamson
A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions
  • Podcast
  • 31 Dec 2025
In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year.
Iain Wright, Guy Ruddle and Frances Haque
Budget 25: where’s the growth?
  • Podcast
  • 01 Dec 2025
This episode is all about the Budget. What was in it? What are the implications? Was there anything positive to glean from it?
Kemi Badenoch with Alan Vallance at Chartered Accountants' Hall
Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession
  • Podcast
  • 18 Sep 2025
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we bring you a timely interview of Kemi Badenoch by ICAEW’s Chief Executive Alan Vallance who sat down with her after a speech she gave at Chartered Accountants’ Hall.
More webinars

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External resources

KPMG UK Economic Outlook
  • Website
  • KPMG
KPMG's regular UK Economic Outlook looks at prospects for the economy, providing economic forecasts and analysis from KPMG’s global team of economists.
OECD UK Economic snapshot
  • Website
  • Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
OECD snapshot of the UK economy, providing economic projection data and covering structural reform priorities.
Office for National Statistics: Economy
  • Website
  • Office for National Statistics
Data on UK economic activity, covering production, distribution, consumption and trade of goods and services.
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