News

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a significant £1.5 billion in savings from civil service administration budgets, aiming to demonstrate fiscal discipline and control over public finances. This move comes as the UK faces economic headwinds and a volatile global stage, with the Office for Budget Responsibility expected to downgrade growth forecasts and leave Reeves with a £4.5 billion shortfall.

UK consumer confidence saw a marginal improvement in March, rising to -19, but experts warn there is still "little evidence of a recovery" as households remain cautious due to persistent economic pressures. The slight uptick was driven by a more positive view of the past year's economic performance and cautious optimism for the year ahead, but concerns remain as GDP shrank in January and geopolitical developments add to uncertainty.

New research reveals that upcoming changes to inheritance tax rules could lead to the loss of over 200,000 jobs in family-run businesses and farms, with the sector potentially losing £14.4 billion from the economy over the current parliament. Family Business UK is calling for a full consultation with ministers to explore more targeted reforms that balance the need for revenue with the imperative to support enterprise and regional growth.

Apple is reportedly considering adding cameras and visual intelligence capabilities to its smartwatches, marking its entry into the AI wearables market. This move could potentially revolutionize the way users interact with their environment, making technology more intuitive and integrated into daily life.

The top ten performing large-cap stocks last week were driven by a variety of factors, including FDA approvals, new partnerships, strong financial results, and positive analyst sentiment. These gains highlight the diverse factors that can influence market performance and the importance of considering these factors when making investment decisions.