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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 733 results
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.
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 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.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Iran conflict sends economic shockwave through the Gulf
  • Article
  • 31 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Energy markets are set to suffer the biggest immediate impact from the Iran conflict, but effects on travel and tourism sectors will be longer lasting, according to an ICAEW economic update.
Ben Nevis
Scottish Manifesto: key actions for growth
  • Article
  • 30 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW Scotland has sent a list of recommendations to Scotland’s parliament in its Scottish Manifesto, outlining the major steps needed to improve conditions for businesses. Its suggestions have relevancy beyond the region.
A group of people sat down round a table having a meeting
ICAEW member insights: cash preservation is king
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Geopolitical tensions and domestic cost pressures are weighing on business confidence. While some sectors report pockets of resilience, the overall picture is one of caution.
Palace of Westminster, London
Influencing policy to support you: March 2026
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Alongside reaching out to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Forecast, ICAEW engaged with policymakers on the impact of the Middle East conflict and the practical ways in which the government could support business-led growth.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Economic update: impact of Middle East conflict
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Economies Director at ICAEW
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.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Fines for persistent late payers under new rules
  • Article
  • 25 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Following years of campaigning from ICAEW, the UK government has announced new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate, adjudicate on and issue fines for cases of late payments.
Chart of the week: public investment
  • Article
  • 20 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Our chart this week looks at how public investment in assets is expected to increase over the next couple of years as the government seeks to stimulate the economy and “build build build”.
Middle East conflict causing unease over energy costs and supply chains
  • Article
  • 12 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW has surveyed members on impacts of the Middle East conflict, highlighting rising energy costs and supply chain disruption as the key concerns for UK businesses.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Spring Forecast: despite optimistic tone, nothing has changed
  • Article
  • 04 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The Chancellor pointed to falling government debt and a slight revising up of forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility as reasons to be more cheerful, but the immediate picture still looks muted.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
How to conduct a supply chain review: three critical actions
  • Article
  • 02 Mar 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
Multi-tier supply chain reviews can unlock financial gains, expose hidden risks and cut inefficiency. By applying three decisive actions and leveraging AI tools, a comprehensive review can strengthen resilience and boost profitability.
Esther Mallowah Head of Tech Policy
2026: how to manage cyber and AI risk
  • Article
  • 26 Feb 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
With multiple high-profile cyber attacks last year, Esther Mallowah, Head of Tech Policy at ICAEW discusses if businesses should be worried and how to manage risk amid developing technology.
Bank of England
Economic update: where is the UK economy heading?
  • Article
  • 26 Feb 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Economies Director, ICAEW
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.
A group of people sat down round a table having a meeting
Member insights: too many hurdles for businesses
  • Article
  • 26 Feb 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
The latest ICAEW member insights point to a mixed and uneven start to 2026. While some businesses report pockets of international growth, particularly in the US and parts of Asia, domestic conditions remain challenging.
Polly Tsang Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEW
2026: four trends currently reshaping financial services
  • Article
  • 25 Feb 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
From fragmentation of regulation to the challenges of emerging technology, Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager at ICAEW shares the biggest trends in financial services this year.
Displaying 1-30 of 733 results
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