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Northern Ireland wages outpace inflation for third consecutive year

Northern Ireland's real wages rose 3.1% in 2026, outpacing UK average growth and marking the third consecutive year of inflation-beating pay increases. Private sector earnings grew faster than public sector wages.

4 min read

Tesco plans first Isle of Skye supermarket, targeting 2028 opening

Tesco plans to open its first Isle of Skye supermarket in Portree by 2028, with a planning application submitted for a food store and fuel station that could create 100 jobs.

2 min read

Barclays to shed 5,000 jobs as AI transforms banking operations

Barclays is cutting 5,000 jobs—5% of its global workforce—as it invests heavily in AI and technology infrastructure. The reductions, concentrated in support and operational roles, are expected to be complete by year-end 2026.

3 min read

Barclays posts strong profits as bank tax looms in budget

Barclays posted strong third-quarter profits of £2.3bn as unions renewed calls for higher bank taxes ahead of the October budget. The TUC wants the bank surcharge increased to fund energy bill relief, while French bond yields hit 24-year highs amid fiscal concerns.

7 min read

Meta ordered to pay $25bn for years of deception over user data

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25bn for systematically deceiving the public about user data handling over 11 years, the largest fine ever against the company. The penalty stems from the Cambridge Analytica scandal and false statements about data sharing.

4 min read

Burnham directs ministers to develop plan removing gas standing charges

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked ministers to develop a plan to eliminate standing charges from gas bills, linking the proposal to renewable energy investment. The move could save typical households £27 annually but raises questions about how costs would be redistributed.

4 min read

FinTrU to eliminate 114 jobs in Northern Ireland restructuring

FinTrU is cutting 114 jobs across Northern Ireland offices in Belfast and Londonderry as part of a restructuring. The Financial Services Union has questioned the fairness of the consultation process.

2 min read

Inflation and borrowing squeeze Chancellor's Budget options

Chancellor John Healey faces mounting economic pressures as inflation hits 3.5% and borrowing overshoots forecasts, constraining his Budget options between cost of living relief and fiscal credibility.

4 min read

UK inflation surges to 3.5% as Middle East conflict pushes fuel costs to record highs

UK inflation jumped to 3.5% in September as Middle East conflict pushed fuel prices to record levels, exceeding forecasts and raising the prospect of rates breaching 4% next year. The surge complicates the Chancellor's budget plans.

5 min read

UK inflation surges to 3.5% on fuel costs as government approves Jackdaw gasfield

UK inflation accelerated to 3.5% in September as motor fuel prices surged to their highest rate in four years, with diesel exceeding £2 per litre. The government approved the controversial Jackdaw North Sea gasfield, which could supply 6% of UK gas needs, while establishing a £2 billion Energy We...

7 min read

UK inflation surges to 3.5% as fuel costs spike before Budget

UK inflation jumped to 3.5% in September from 3.1% in August, driven by surging petrol and diesel prices amid Middle East and European conflicts disrupting global oil supplies.

2 min read

Musk Explores Merging Tesla and SpaceX Into Trillion-Dollar Giant

Elon Musk is exploring a merger between Tesla and SpaceX, two trillion-dollar technology companies. Special committees have been formed to assess the deal, though shareholder approval would be required. The combination would create the largest merger in history.

6 min read