Armed Forces Chief: UK Must Prepare for Russian Threat
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton warns Russia's military is stronger than ever, urging a 'whole of nation' response to rising danger. Read the stark assessment.
Category : Search result: festive spending
Farage reported to police over election spending claims
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces a police report alleging he breached electoral spending limits in Clacton by failing to declare an armoured vehicle and a themed bar. Read the full details.
K-Shaped Christmas: Wealthy Splurge as Many Struggle
A stark economic divide defines the 2025 holiday season. While a wealthy minority fuels luxury spending, many face rising costs and poverty. Explore the data behind the 'K-shaped' economy.
London councils spend £555m on private firms in 2024
Exclusive report reveals London councils' £555m reliance on consultants and outsourcing firms for basic services, raising democratic concerns. Read the full investigation.
All Bar One's Festive Cocktails & Food Review
We review All Bar One's festive menu in Sheffield, featuring cocktails with Mallow & Marsh and Absolut Vodka, plus burgers and small plates. Find out what's worth ordering this Christmas.
UK House Prices Stagnate, Retail Spending Weak in November
Halifax reports UK house prices were flat in November, while BDO data shows weak in-store sales growth. Affordability for first-time buyers hits strongest level since 2015. Read the full analysis.
Mum's OnlyFans side hustle funds lavish £5,500 Christmas
A UK mother reveals how her OnlyFans side hustle earns £10,000 monthly, funding a mortgage-free home and a £5,500 festive spend on her children. Discover her story.
Deep State Worries Over UK Defence & Budget Leaks
Sky News podcast reveals deep state concerns over UK vulnerability to Russian attacks and a formal leak inquiry into budget tensions between No.10 & No.11. Listen for the full analysis.
UK announces £2.4bn defence boost for new tech and submarines
The UK government unveils a major £2.4 billion defence investment, funding new submarines, AI, and drones to counter global threats. Read the full strategy.
Future Fund CEO questioned over $20k hotel stay
Future Fund CEO Raphael Arndt faces parliamentary scrutiny over a $20,000 hotel stay for a staff member on a US 'scoping trip'. Watch the video and read the full report.
UK Economy Grows in Q3 2025 on Data Centre Boom
The UK economy grew by 0.2% in Q3 2025, ending a technical recession. A surge in data centre investment and a rise in household spending drove the recovery. Read the full analysis.
Anika Wells defends $1.2m UN General Assembly visit cost
Australian Minister Anika Wells faces questions over the $1.2 million cost of her delegation's UN trip. She defends the expenditure as vital for global engagement. Read the full defence.
UK 'unprepared for war', ex-defence secretaries warn
Sky News podcast reveals decades of hollowed-out UK defences. Former ministers admit military is short of troops, ammo and medics. Discover the full story.
Ofsted: Children's home providers prioritising profit over need
Ofsted warns of a crisis as children's homes surge in cheap areas, not where needed. Vulnerable teens face unsafe, unregistered placements costing up to £30k a week. Urgent reform demanded.
OECD warns UK tax and spending policies will slow consumption
The OECD forecasts UK growth will outpace major EU economies in 2025, but warns household budgets will be squeezed by fiscal policy, limiting consumer spending. Read the full analysis.
Food inflation slows to 3% amid Black Friday deals
UK food inflation eased to 3% in November, down from 3.7% in October, as Black Friday discounts hit shops. However, experts warn of persistent pressures and challenges ahead for retailers and consumers.
Black Friday discounts slow UK shop price inflation
Early Black Friday discounts helped slow UK shop price rises to 0.6% in November, below the three-month average. Read the full analysis from the British Retail Consortium.
BOM Chief Defends $965m Website Cost Blowout
The head of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology faces Senate scrutiny over a near-billion dollar website overhaul. Read the full defence and the concerns raised.
Readers debate Rachel Reeves' Budget impact
Metro readers share mixed reactions to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget, debating tax burdens, NHS spending, and the nation's economic future. Join the conversation.
UK 2026 Growth Forecast Slashed to 1% by KPMG
KPMG forecasts UK GDP growth will slow to 1% in 2026, with unemployment rising to 5.2%. Business surveys reveal deepening pessimism across services and manufacturing sectors.
Black Friday footfall down 7.2% amid economic fears
UK high street visits fell sharply on Black Friday as cost of living pressures bite. New data and KPMG report warn weak consumer spending will curb 2026 growth. Read the full analysis.
UK Economy Set to Cool in 2026, KPMG Warns
The UK economy is forecast to slow to 1.0% growth in 2026, with rising unemployment and a stealth tax squeeze hitting household spending. Discover the full economic outlook.
Two-Tier Holiday Season: Wealth Gap Impacts Spending
A tale of two economies this festive season as high earners in affluent areas spend freely while others struggle with debt and inflation. Discover the data shaping UK retail.
England fans boost spending despite Ashes defeat
England cricket fans increased spending by 59% after first Test defeat in Perth, while Australian fans tightened belts. New data reveals surprising post-match spending patterns.
Monsoon owner hits out at Reeves' Budget tax rises
Adena Brands, owner of Monsoon and Accessorize, warns Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tax increases are forcing it to stop growth investment. Read the full financial impact.
Badenoch brands Labour's welfare budget 'unchristian'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claims Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget, funding a £16bn welfare rise with £26bn tax hikes, contradicts Christian values. Explore the political fallout.
Americans slash holiday spending as economy worries grow
Guardian readers across America reveal how rising prices and unemployment fears are forcing them to cut back on festive spending. Discover how economic uncertainty is changing holiday traditions.
London's Best Christmas Markets & Events for 2025
Discover the top Christmas markets in London for 2025, from Columbia Road to Spitalfields, plus festive dining, ice skating, and theatre. Your essential guide to December in the capital.
IFS Warns Budget Tax Plans Are 'Fiscal Fiction'
The Institute for Fiscal Studies warns Jeremy Hunt's budget relies on 'fiscal fiction' with unrealistic spending cuts and tax rises. Read the full analysis of the UK's financial outlook.
IFS Challenges Reeves' 'Fiscal Fiction' Tax Plan
The IFS warns Rachel Reeves' Budget relies on 'heroic' spending restraint, with major tax rises delayed until 2028, risking future fiscal credibility. Read the full analysis.
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