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Economy and business environment articles

Read our latest features and articles on the economy and business environment.
Displaying 1-30 of 594 results
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Suren Thiru on how US-Iran peace deal could influence UK’s economic outlook
  • Article
  • 29 Jun 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Economies Director at ICAEW
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.
Chart of the week: the fiscal inheritance
  • Article
  • 25 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week looks at the fiscal plan that the next prime minister and chancellor (whoever they may be) will inherit and how tax rises and spending restraint are key to turning the current budget deficit into a surplus.
UK Houses of Parliament
ICAEW calls for stability following PM resignation
  • Article
  • 22 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The next prime minister needs to set out a clear route for business growth, says ICAEW’s Chief Executive, Alan Vallance.
Why it pays to prepare for an economic crisis
  • Article
  • 12 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The Iranian conflict highlights how unpredictable global risks can be. In this environment, it helps to plan for the worst. We suggest six key areas of focus.
Woman working in flower shop
ICAEW joins taskforce to cut red tape for small businesses
  • Article
  • 11 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW is urging members to share their experiences of the regulatory burdens facing small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, as it works with government to improve legislation and support growth.
Chart of the week: employment and unemployment
  • Article
  • 11 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week explains why the employment rate of 75% and unemployment rate of 5% don’t add up to 100%.
A pair of hands holding 3 blocks showing compliance symbols
Why boards need to reframe risk
  • Article
  • 11 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Do boards need to shelve box ticking in favour of boosting profits? ICAEW’s inaugural Boardroom Debate will explore this topical issue.
Chart of the week: OBR forecast evaluation
  • Article
  • 05 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week looks at the Office of Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecast evaluation for the year ended 31 March 2025, showing the very large differences between the OBR’s pre-election March 2024 one-year forecast and the 2024/25 outturn.
The trophies presented as part of the 2026 Finance for the Future Awards on 1 June in London
Finance for the Future 2026 hails champions of resilience
  • Article
  • 02 Jun 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Sustainable finance innovators across an array of industries received awards on 1 June recognising their work paving the way for greater resilience across financial decision making.
Chart of the week: fuel prices
  • Article
  • 28 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week is on fuel prices, illustrating both how the price at the pump is made up and how prices have risen over the last four months.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Suren Thiru on why 2026’s strong start is unlikely to last
  • Article
  • 28 May 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Economies Director at ICAEW
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.
UK government ploughs ahead with late payments Bill
  • Article
  • 21 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Following its inclusion in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill is one of the first to be put before parliament, including a cap on payment terms and new powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
Chart of the week: car exports and imports
  • Article
  • 14 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week is on the car market in the UK, showing how most of the cars made in the UK are exported (our third biggest goods export) and most of the new cars registered in the UK are imported (our biggest goods import).
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
King’s Speech 2026: late payments plan confirmed
  • Article
  • 13 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The King’s Speech featured proposed legislation on late payments and regulatory reform in an agenda that prioritised national security above all else.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Hospitality snapshot: stuck in high-cost, hostile territory
  • Article
  • 06 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
As the UK’s largest hotel chain owner announces 3,800 job cuts, the hospitality sector needs to become more adaptable to sustain growth amid significant challenges, including high operating costs and regulatory changes.
Fahad Asgar, Technical Manager and Philippa Lamb
Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP
  • Podcast
  • 06 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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.
Chart of the week: more people living longer
  • Article
  • 01 May 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week looks at how the number of people aged 65 or older is projected to increase by 34% over the next 25 years in contrast with a projected rise of just 1% in the number of working age adults. This will be a major challenge for the UK’s public finances.
Houses of Parliament at night
UK government must tackle tax simplification, says ICAEW
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW members polled on what the UK government should be prioritising overwhelmingly support action on simplifying tax rules. A simpler tax system will support growth and boost business confidence, says ICAEW.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Suren Thiru on how the Iran war is impacting the UK economy
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Economies Director at ICAEW
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.
Palace of Westminster, London
Influencing policy to support you: April 2026
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Parliament made a brief return from its Easter recess earlier, before being prorogued ahead of the 7 May elections. ICAEW was able to inform discussions on worker status and business confidence.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Four cost management essentials for retailers
  • Article
  • 27 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
SMEs are currently under enormous pressure from multiple sources, but savvy businesses can ease the pain.
What will get the construction industry out of its rut?
  • Article
  • 23 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Plagued by high costs, low confidence and regulatory issues, the UK construction industry is in a slump. Could the ambitious New Towns initiative put the sector back on track?
Wind turbines on a wooded hillside at dusk surrounded by clouds
Why nature loss is now a business-critical risk
  • Article
  • 22 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Nature loss is contributing to heightened risks to the UK economy and national security. For finance professionals, it is a key driver shaping business risk, resilience and long-term value.
Chart of the week: a £3tn economy
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week is on how GDP for the UK reached £3.0tn for the first time in 2025. This is a 58% increase over the course of a decade, mostly driven by a combination of inflation and a rising population, resulting in a relatively small amount of per capita economic growth.
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
How hospitality teams are embracing real-time analytics
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
With so many cost pressures facing hospitality businesses, the ability to analyse data in real time has never been more important for cost management.
A team of people at their desks working on their laptops
Flexible skillsets and adaptability are vital for success
  • Article
  • 15 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, and Chief Learning Officer Dana Day on how ICAEW is responding to seismic shifts in skills requirements to help firms and individuals prepare for the future.
Chart of the week: international trade
  • Article
  • 10 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
This week’s chart illustrates how a £205bn surplus on trade in services was offset by a £243bn deficit on trade in goods to result in a net trade deficit of £38bn in 2025 – or £16bn if trade in precious metals is excluded.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Iran war knocks confidence back into negative territory
  • Article
  • 02 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Business confidence was recovering until the outbreak of the war in Iran; concerns about its wider economic impacts are keeping sentiment negative, according to the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor.
Bute park Cardiff
Welsh Manifesto: three measures to unlock growth
  • Article
  • 02 Apr 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW has published a manifesto for the Welsh Senedd elections, highlighting the biggest issues facing Welsh businesses, and the solutions that the Welsh government should focus on.
Philippa Lamb and Tess Buckley
What does the Iran conflict really mean for British business?
  • Podcast
  • 31 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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.
Displaying 1-30 of 594 results
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