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‘The FCA are soon to allow contactless card payment limits to be made at the discretion of banks’

The government is desperate for people to spend more money, at any cost. Regardless if peeps can afford it or not.

The UK is basically a service economy as posted earlier inward investment and deal making is practically on the floor.

“Growth is our number one priority” and all we get from supporters is a pathetic steady as she goes. The UK doesn't need steady, we need dynamic go-ahead leaders creating wealth not a government who spends OUR money foolishly.

UK government borrowing fell to £11.7bn in November but still came in higher than expected in the same month that chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the autumn budget.

The figure was £1.9bn less than in the same month a year ago, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday. However, it was higher than expectations of £10bn.

Overall not really a good news story.

U.K. retail sales unexpectedly fell in November, adding to the previous month’s weakness, with the country’s consumers continuing to lack confidence heading into the crucial holiday period.

Retail sales dropped by 0.1% in the month of November, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics data earlier, continuing to show weakness after the previous month’s 0.9% slump, which was revised from a previously recorded drop of 1.1%.

Economists had predicted that retail sales, which mostly reflect goods and are not adjusted for inflation, would rise by 0.3% on a monthly basis.

Overall, the budget is set to increase Britain’s tax burden by £26 billion a year, plus the £40 billion increase announced in 2024, and most of ⁠that will not take effect this year or next. With Christmas approaching retail sales tend to increase, but not this year.

This statement from Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK sums it up nicely.

"Consumers resemble a family on a festive winter hike, crossing a boggy field - plodding along stoically, getting stuck in the mud and hoping that easier conditions are not far off."

Says it all really.

"I suspect many will still use the lower limit and put the rest in a safe building society interest account."

I suspect you are correct Dorfan.

That said, Britain’s inflation rate is still the highest among the Group of Seven economies, and this has kept policymakers divided on whether job losses or inflation pressures pose the biggest risk to the economy.

Data released earlier this week showed Britain’s unemployment rate hit its highest since the start of 2021, and this has helped persuade markets that the BoE will cut interest rates on Thursday.

As I said before,expect a flurry of ministers crowing how they have brought inflation under control when they've stoked the inflation flames since they were elected.

The annual inflation rate in the United Kingdom stood at 3.2% in November, declining from 3.6% recorded in October, the country's Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed in its report on Wednesday.

The key contributors to the downward trajectory of the annual inflation rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages, with their prices dropping by 4.2% year-on-year, followed by alcohol and tobacco prices, which went down by 4%.

Moreover, on a monthly basis, consumer prices were 0.2% lower in the reported month. The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) climbed by 3.5% year-on-year, while the figure fell by 0.1% compared to October.

I'll just add, coming from you DCB, you really can't make any comments on political posts, can you?

"Just curious why you post here"

The truth will prevail.

I see the liberal left are getting their knickers in a twist over Lloyds SP trying desperately to remind folks they are invested here.

And there's me thinking capitalism is something that socialist find abhorrent.

You lot ain't two faced you're fifty faced. And what's more it shows.

And this from the recently reinstated idiot

“trade deals will take time to filter through”

Earlier this year a trade agreement in principle was agreed between the President and the UK Prime Mister, however the full text was not hashed out, despite a flossy photo-op by the Prime Minister, who posed with the signed tech deal in September.

Now it appears, Donald Trump has suspended a £31 billion technology deal signed with Sir Keir Starmer during the American President's much lauded state visit to the United Kingdom earlier this year.

It follows disagreements between the two countries over how the UK-US trade agreement is currently being hashed out.

The idiots were taken in by Starmer’s rhetoric.

I bet you've made a mint on the market 😥 being so gullible.

ASI.

So on the back of an estimate, from whom? You actually believe that labour is doing well. Your AI of choice thought that over a million jobs would be lost to AI, that's AI for you, can't trust no one.

“it has been also been reported that there are more outside the job market than available jobs so you can't really blame government for that”

1. The increase in benefits does not incentivise the unemployed to seek work.

2. Available jobs are being destroyed not only by the cost of hiring but also bankruptcy.

3. The black market is thriving, record numbers are not even seeking work.

But of course you can't really blame the government for that can you.

Asi…Get your head away from the dizzying light of your PC it makes you confused and lightheaded, look at the real world.

Resolution Foundation Blames Reeves’ Tax Raid for Jobs Crisis.

Budget Man Torsten Bell’s old outfit has released a new report blaming Reeves’ tax raid for soaring unemployment. The Resolution Foundation points the finger at the £26 billion National Insurance contribution raid, describing it as a “shock” that’s helped push joblessness higher…

“The increase in employer NICs and the minimum wage changes introduced in April 2025 both served to raise the labour costs of younger workers relative to older workers. The employer NICs increase affected the cost of employing young workers aged 21 and above because it had a bigger impact on low than high earners, and young people earn less than older workers.”

The report finishes on a solemn note: “Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time and choose a more jobs-friendly tax increase than the employer NICs hike. But the Government can be careful about any further increases in labour costs, especially for young people.” Meanwhile, households’ views on future finances have fallen to a two-year low in December, with views on job security at a six-month low, according to S&P Global.

And some believe, the misguided make statements like this.

“Lloyds is certainly benefiting from the firm foundations and stability in the overall economy.”

Lloyds impairments will follow the unemployment data.

"Growth after a ' Resilient ' 2025.

Well that's what we all like to hear ."

It's just a prediction, putting it another way it's just fantasy. Now who's not telling the truth?

“However my investments over the last year have done really well, so something is going right.”

And this.

“Thankfully, it appears that Lloyds has not been affected at all.”

If this government had not bothered to pass any legislation since the 32% of voters elected them, I think it's safe to say that your investments to date would have performed so much better.

The moral here is, when labour gets involved, things tend to reverse. They're best off out of it, everything they attempt either ‘U’ turns or has the opposite effect.

I guess it gives all you deniers a warm feeling trying to talk up a moribund economy. The upside is it gives us all a laugh at the same time.🤣😂🤣

You know, it would help your cause if you posted some data to back up your claims, but that's a bit thin on the ground right now.

Btw, If you want to see a PROVEN liar in action have a look at your leader answering questions from the liaison committee. Meanwhile, keep up with the comedy. 🙂

Some people just can't stand the truth.

Nice uptick there paddy.

The UK stands alone on the internal combustion engine (ICE) 2030 ban.

This is all occurring while the government is simultaneously extending the Electric Car Grant it announced in August all the way until March 2030 and also introducing an eVED pay-per-mile tax on electric cars from 2028 – two moves that could be argued to offer mixed messages for consumers thinking about making the switch to an EV

Results of the wishy-washy Starmer regime. Nobody knows what they stand for.

How can anyone take them seriously?

The Bank of England is coming under mounting pressure to give a shot in the arm to the ailing UK economy after fresh data revealed it suffered another contraction in October.

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet next Thursday where economists are pencilling a 25 basis point reduction to interest rates taking the base level to 3.75 per cent.

Expectations of a cut follow the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealing on Friday that the UK economy shrank 0.1 per cent in October. The contraction came as businesses hit pause on major investment plans amid fears they would be targeted for a hefty tax raid as Chancellor Rachel Reeves looked to balance public finances in her Autumn Budget.

You'll be hearing all the labour Dumbo's crowing to their ignorant followers about how they've bought interest rates down to assist everyone during these difficult times.

No mention that they've caused the difficult times and the reason for the reduction in interest rates is because their number one policy is growth and it's failing badly. As a result we are all paying more for their incompetence. Even the BoE has to try and rescue these incompetent idiots by lowering rates when the CPI figures are nearly doubled their mandate.

You couldn't make it up.

“We have many journeys , all which are meant to help our soul grow.”

Very profound Chips.

My next journey will be starting shortly. It's Friday lunch time and the juicer beckons.

“The experiences some which are hard make us better person in the long run.”

Very true, it is sometimes very hard if I extend my time down the pub. I often reflect that I'm never going to do that again.

Cheers Chips, good health. 🍻🍷🥃🍸🍹🥂

The U.K. economy unexpectedly remained in contraction in October, with gross domestic product falling by 0.1% on a monthly basis, according to data released Friday by the Office for National Statistics

It may be below expectations (the experts) but I believe no one is surprised.