The UK Chancellor’s messaging at Davos recalled former Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s efforts to extol the recovery of the Irish economy while in the Swiss Alps

When Santander boss Ana Botin met Rachel Reeves at the annual Davos jamboree last week, the atmosphere may have been frostier than the ski slopes outside...

Rachel Reeves could be poised to use a £5.2billion Bitcoin windfall to help address Labour's much-lamented "black hole" in the public finances. The cryptocurrency was seized from organised criminals following a major money-laundering investigation into Chinese fraud,

It comes as Rachel Reeves insisted she would not resign despite a wave of criticism over decisions such as the National Insurance increase, inheritance tax on family farms and winter fuel payment means-testing, as well as poor economic growth with the economy growing by just 0.1% in November.

Economic uncertainty seen since the Chancellor's budget continues as analysis suggests an "historic jump" in the number of businesses in financial distress.

UNDER-pressure Rachel Reeves was given a glimmer of hope as inflation fell — raising interest rate cut hopes. The Chancellor saw inflation sink 0.1 per cent to 2.5 per cent in December, the drop

“Rachel Reeves is thinking the right way but she’s in a difficult position,” said a senior UK bank executive in Davos . “Labour in the UK have made a lot of good decisions but it is very hard for them and the [bond market] challenges of last week reinforce that issue.”

Andy Haldane, who was with the Bank for 32 years until 2021, said the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) forecast in March could lead to less investment and spending.

The disappointing retail data adds to the dim economic picture in the U.K. and to the challenges facing Finance Minister Rachel Reeves.

A 0.1 per cent drop in inflation may not sound like much but the marginal figure is one that may prove particular significant for Rachel Reeves.

The rate of inflation unexpectedly fell slightly to 2.5% in December in a surprise boost to embattled Rachel Reeves ... remains stubbornly above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.

Deputy governor Sam Woods told Keir Starmer that delivering economic growth and 'encouraging responsible risk-taking', was not its main focus.