Ward: Security

429

Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told

Local government secretary writes to town halls warning them against ‘part-time work for full-time pay’The secretary for local government has written to all councils to warn that adopting a four-day week for staff puts them at risk of being declared a failing authority, according to reports.Twenty-f…

430

Private credit firms pile into consumer debt as risk-taking mounts

Growth raises concerns about underwriting and risk management at fast-expanding groups

398

Whisky galore: Trump’s tariffs and cost of living create glut of undrunk Scotch

Concern over rural economies as distilleries left with a surplus that has forced some to pause or scale back production

342

How much does a $70,000 home equity loan cost monthly after the December Fed rate cut?

Recent Fed rate cuts have made home equity loans less expensive. Here's how much a $70,000 loan costs monthly now.

328

Trump Tariffs Threaten Canadian Holiday Sales

Small businesses across Canada have lost out on sales because of the trade war, and many worry about their future.

333

Is Christmas as good for the UK economy as it used to be?

It used to be the most wonderful time of year for the retail and hospitality sectors, but consumer behaviour is shifting

322

U.S. Plans Largest Nuclear Power Program Since the 1970s

The United States aims to embark on its most active new nuclear construction program since the 1970s. In its most high-dollar nuclear deal yet, the Trump administration in October launched a partnership to build at least $80 billion worth of new, large-scale nuclear reactors, and chose Westinghouse …

328

Whisky galore: Trump’s tariffs and cost of living create glut of undrunk Scotch

Concern over rural economies as distilleries left with a surplus that has forced some to pause or scale back production

311

DoubleLine Warns of ‘Brewing Collision’ for Developed Economies

DoubleLine is warning of a “brewing collision” in some developed economies as governments from France to the UK and Japan struggle to balance social demands against ballooning fiscal deficits.

320

Ministers raise inheritance tax threshold for farms after backlash

U-turn lifts limit from £1m to £2.5m after protests and warnings that family farms were at riskMinisters will increase the threshold for taxing inherited farmland from £1m to £2.5m after months of pressure from campaigners and MPs representing rural areas.In a statement slipped out just before Chris…

323

U.S. economy grew 4.3% before government shutdown, GDP shows, in biggest gain in 2 years

The U.S. grew at a snappy 4.3% annual pace in the third quarter — the biggest increase in two years — but the economy is unlikely to match that feat in the waning months of 2025 due partly to the long government shutdown.

322

America's data center growth hot spots, mapped

Data: American Edge Project and Technology Councils of North America; Map: Axios VisualsNearly 3,000 new data centers are under construction or planned across the U.S., per a new analysis shared first with Axios — adding to the more than 4,000 already in operation.Why it matters: Big tech and many l…

310

Germany's Economic Model Is Broken, and No One Has a Plan B

The country is focused on exports, but China is slowing imports and U.S. tariff threats are growing. Politicians are offering few alternatives.

242

US economy hotter than expected in third quarter

Consumer spending drove higher growth in the third quarter

243

Private credit firms pile into consumer debt as risk-taking mounts

Growth raises concerns about underwriting and risk management at fast-expanding groups

239

Russia’s economy keeps driving its war, but it could break in 2026

Problems in the oil sector, a possible banking crisis and consumer woes lie ahead for Russia’s economy as prices for Russian oil plummet over sanctions.

231

FirstFT: AI debt boom pushes US corporate bond sales close to record

Also in today’s newsletter: ByteDance’s AI spending spree, and private credit firms snap up consumer debt

220

US adults are increasingly pessimistic about economy: Survey

Gallup's Economic Confidence Index dipped to a negative 33 rating in December, the lowest level recorded in President Trump’s second term, according to new data. The index — which reflects Americans’ views of current economic conditions and their future outlook — dropped 3 points from a negative 30 …

222

U.S. GDP grew at a blistering 4.3% pace in the third quarter

Economic growth blew past forecasts in the third quarter despite ongoing concerns about jobs, tariffs and inflation.

222

US economy grew at 4.3% rate in third quarter

Figure surpasses expectations after growth boosted by consumer spending