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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 554 results
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
Tokenisation: what does FCA package mean for accountants?
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
In a big step towards the tokenisation of the UK economy, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out a package of regulatory changes to account for cryptoassets.
Suren Thiru on the new PM’s economic inheritance
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
  • Suren Thiru, Chief Economist at 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 Insights
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 Insights
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.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
Government sets out next steps for Small Business Plan
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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 Insights
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 Insights
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 Insights
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.
Blue screen illustration of world map with arrows up and down
2026 six months in: international insights
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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.
Suren Thiru, ICAEW Director Economies
2026 six months in: Iran leaves us with weak growth
  • Article
  • 14 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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.
Origami downward arrow made from a financial chart on a green cutting mat beside pencils and a printed graph.
Labour costs, energy and late payments are holding businesses back
  • Article
  • 02 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW’s latest Business Confidence Monitor highlights three major stress points for UK businesses: energy costs, labour costs and persistent late payments.
Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEW and Philippa Lamb
Looking ahead: HMRC’s digital moves and impacts of Iran war
  • Podcast
  • 01 Jul 2026
  • ICAEW Insights
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.
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.
Displaying 1-30 of 554 results
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