ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

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.
Contents
Back to top

Latest on economy and business environment

Read our latest features and articles on the economy.
A chart illustrating how the increase in the net debt to GDP ratio reflected an increase in the numerator from borrowing of 184% of GDP, partially offset by 42% of GDP from the ‘inflating away’ effect of economic growth and inflation on the denominator.
Chart of the week: End of the first quarter (century)
  • Article
  • 09 May 2025
  • ICAEW
Our chart this week marks the end of the first fiscal quarter of the 21st century on 31 March 2025 by comparing it with the previous four quarters in the 20th century.
silver car auto factory assembly line man employee engineer ICAEW economy business
Steel, farmers and cars to benefit from UK-US deal
  • Article
  • 09 May 2025
  • ICAEW
While the baseline 10% tariff stands, the new UK-US trade deal reduces tariffs on cars, removes them from steel, and offers a tariff-free quota for UK beef.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
New UK-India deal offers boost in uncertain times
  • Article
  • 07 May 2025
  • ICAEW
ICAEW has welcomed the announcement of a new free trade agreement between the UK and India, which will reduce tariffs and other measures impacting the trade of goods and services between the countries.
Carol Handa FCA, CFO at Bruce’s Doggy Day Care
Lessons from the top: Carol Handa FCA
  • Article
  • 06 May 2025
  • ICAEW
Over her 20-year career, Carol Handa FCA has made a habit of embracing the unknown. Now CFO at Bruce’s Doggy Day Care, she’s supercharging the business’s growth trajectory and putting the lessons of her varied career into practice.
chart of the week thumbnail image for 2 may 2025
Chart of the week: Canada’s trade with the US
  • Article
  • 02 May 2025
  • ICAEW
Our chart this week takes a look at trade between the US and Canada, a major factor in Canada’s recent general election.
Group of people around a table having a meeting
Access to skills: are apprenticeships the answer?
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2025
  • ICAEW
Getting the right skills can hinder growth and businesses are struggling to get the right people. But some are finding solutions by welcoming young workers and embracing strong development programmes.
A group of people sat down round a table having a meeting
Member Insights: April 2025
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2025
  • ICAEW
The impact of US tariffs has further compounded an already challenging business environment, plagued with uncertainty and regulatory upheaval.
London Westminster
Influencing policy to support you: April 2025
  • Article
  • 30 Apr 2025
  • ICAEW
This month, ICAEW has been working to share members’ thoughts with policymakers on the potential impacts of the Employment Rights Bill, reactions to US trade tariffs and recognition of professional services in the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
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
A dial with the ICAEW dividers acting as the needle, and a question mark hovering over it.

UK Economic Update

Monthly bulletins from ICAEW, tracking key trends and developments in the UK economy.
Economic update: key trends ahead of the Spring Statement
  • Article
  • Mar 2025
The UK economy endured a poor start to 2025 amid January’s financial market turbulence. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: why UK ‘stagflation’ risk is rising
  • Article
  • Feb 2025
Underlying momentum in the UK economy remains weak despite a better than expected end to 2024. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: five key trends for 2025
  • Article
  • Jan 2025
Following a disappointing end to 2024, UK’s economic prospects could become brighter this year, despite notable domestic and global challenges. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: UK growth hit by global and domestic pressures
  • Article
  • Dec 2024
Economic conditions in the UK are becoming more problematic, despite another cut in interest rates. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: stars align for November interest rate cut
  • Article
  • Nov 2024
Following the Autumn Budget, UK interest rates are expected to fall to their lowest level since May 2023. ICAEW’s Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications, what you need to know about current economic conditions and key points to watch.
Economic update: examining pre-Budget indicators
  • Article
  • Oct 2024
Ahead of the new government’s first Budget, interest rates are on hold despite the economy stagnating for the second successive month. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: is the UK economy flattering to deceive?
  • Article
  • Sep 2024
The UK economy enjoyed a strong first half of the year, but falling productivity suggests that significant structural challenges remain. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.
Economic update: when will UK interest rates fall next?
  • Article
  • Aug 2024
UK economic activity bounces back as interest rates fall for the first time in 4 years. ICAEW Economies Director Suren Thiru discusses the implications.

Other reports from ICAEW

Webinars and podcasts

Photo of airplane beiong loaded with shipping containers
Adapting post-tariffs, MTD at 10, UK GAAP changes
  • Podcast
  • 09 Apr 2025
In this episode, we discuss how the Trump administration’s tariffs will hamper the government’s growth plans, the progress made towards Making Tax Digital on its tenth birthday, and how changes to FRS 102 and 105 will affect the nation’s small businesses.
A cityscape photo featuring the Shard building in London.
What Britain needs to grow
  • Podcast
  • 25 Mar 2025
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the necessary ingredients to support economic growth.
e 93 trump
Trump tariffs update and HMRC service standards
  • Podcast
  • 13 Feb 2025
In this episode, we discuss the latest developments in President Trump’s tariffs rollout and how they may affect UK businesses.
ep 91 2025
Trump, tariffs and EU turmoil: 2025 predictions
  • Podcast
  • 03 Jan 2025
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we look ahead to the most significant events and trends anticipated in 2025.
rachel reeves budget ep 87
Budget 2024: a gamble on growth
  • Podcast
  • 01 Nov 2024
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we discuss whether the Autumn Budget will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for business confidence and investment activity.
ep 81 business confidence
Business confidence, local authority finance, probate delays, and tax reform
  • Podcast
  • 12 Aug 2024
In this bumper episode, we discuss the latest findings of ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor, why three-quarters of councils in England are at least a year behind in publishing audited accounts, and more.
starmer
How to get Britain growing
  • Podcast
  • 15 Jul 2024
One week on from the general election, this special episode of Accountancy Insights discusses the policies of the new UK government.
ep 70
Budget 2024: does it change anything?
  • Podcast
  • 08 Mar 2024
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the contents of the 2024 Spring Budget and their likely impacts on the UK economy.
More webinars

Support from the Library

Doing business in...

Use the ICAEW Library's country profiles to explore the key issues for doing business in over 130 countries and jurisdictions. Find business guides and trade data, check the economic and political outlook, and get help with company research.
See country guides
Working globe

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.
PwC UK Economic Outlook
  • Website
  • PwC
PwC's latest bi-annual analysis of the UK economy, spotlighting growth, inflation and the labour market.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Can't find what you're looking for?

The ICAEW Library can give you the right information from trustworthy, professional sources that aren't freely available online. Contact us for expert help with your enquiries and research.

Everything business

Find out about the key benefits available for members in business and the support from ICAEW. We are proud of our some 60,000 members working in and running business all over the world.
Read More
Winding road
Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.