Economy
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Economy Cost of living pressures persist for majority of households despite government support
More than half of adults report rising costs in February, with food prices driving inflation concerns across Kent and beyond. More than…
20 March 2026 -
Economy UK Public Sector Borrowing Rises to £14.3 Billion in February 2026
Public sector net borrowing hit the second-highest February level since monthly records began in 1993, reflecting seasonal shifts after…
20 March 2026 -
Economy UK Public Debt Liabilities Hit 82.5% of GDP as Borrowing Costs Soar
Government financial liabilities remain elevated at more than four-fifths of national output, with debt servicing costs nearly tripling…
20 March 2026 -
Economy Bank of England Keeps Interest Rate at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Above Target
The Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to maintain the base rate, marking a shift from February’s divided decision. The Bank of…
19 March 2026 -
Economy UK Payroll Data Shows Mixed Signals as Kent Labour Market Continues to Cool
ONS revised estimates show a modest rise in payrolled workers in January 2026, but the broader picture remains one of a cooling labour…
19 March 2026 -
Economy UK Unemployment Hits 5.2% as ONS Data Reveals Growing Pressure on Kent Job Market
ONS labour market data for November 2025 to January 2026 shows unemployment climbing to 5.2%, with young workers hit hardest. The latest…
19 March 2026 -
Economy Kent Workers Face Slowest Wage Growth in Years as Job Market Cools
Latest figures show pay rises dropping to their weakest level since 2020, with real purchasing power barely improving across the county. If…
19 March 2026 -
Economy UK Job Vacancies Edge Down to 721,000 as Competition for Roles Intensifies
New figures show early estimates of a 6,000 quarterly decline, with 2.6 unemployed people now competing for each available position. The…
19 March 2026 -
Economy How Children’s Mental Health Affects School Success: New ONS Analysis Reveals Family Links
Fresh Office for National Statistics research explores the connection between mental wellbeing at home and educational outcomes for…
18 March 2026 -
Economy Wholesale Energy Prices Surge by Up to 74% as Middle East Tensions Rattle UK Markets
A sharp spike in wholesale gas and electricity costs in early March signals volatile times ahead for British households and businesses…
18 March 2026 -
Economy How the ONS Refreshes Its Inflation Shopping Basket to Keep Pace with What Britons Really Spend
The Office for National Statistics has updated its annual basket of 750+ goods and services used to measure inflation, reflecting shifting…
16 March 2026 -
Economy Staffing Costs Surge as 41% of UK Businesses Report Rising Employment Bills
More businesses than ever are struggling with higher wages, pension contributions, and National Insurance costs, with the hospitality…
15 March 2026