Science and technology desk
Economy
Growth figures, company failures, tariffs and the labour market: this section follows the UK economy and the wider forces acting on it, with an eye on what reaches household budgets.
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Recent pieces look at firmer indicators ahead of the October budget, rising financial distress across almost every business sector and the investment needed to grow a circular economy. Coverage also reaches beyond Britain, for instance how Canada’s tariff response could hit the United States, and into the creative trade, where digital content creators now hold a clearer place in the screen industry.
Alongside the news sits a set of explainers on interest rates and personal finance, the gig economy, automation and shifting consumer habits since the pandemic. Readers new to the subject can start with the financial literacy primer, then move on to the forecasts once the vocabulary feels familiar.
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Digital content creators gain a clearer role in the UK screen economy
A ScreenSkills and BBC study highlights closer links between digital creators, film and television, while setting out the broad skills and support challenges shaping the…
How Canada’s tariff response could affect the US economy and Trump
Canada has threatened tariff countermeasures after new US duties on certain Canadian goods. The immediate economic effect may be limited, but supply chains, consumer prices…
Why investment matters to the UK’s circular economy growth
A circular economy depends on more than better waste management. Clear policy, long-term infrastructure and business confidence are presented as central to investment in reuse,…
UK economy shows firmer signs before October budget
Stronger services activity, improved consumer confidence and solid second-quarter growth have given the UK a firmer economic backdrop before the government’s October budget.
UK business distress rises as financial pressure reaches almost every sector
Critical financial distress among UK businesses rose to 53,756 in the second quarter of 2026, while significant distress affected 674,030 firms across almost every sector…
The rise of e-commerce and its economic implications
On any given day, millions of people tap, click, and swipe their way through virtual marketplaces, shifting the way the world does business. From New…
Predictions for the job market and employment trends in 2025
Resilience and subtle shifts define the outlook for the job market in 2025. After several years of heightened economic uncertainty and a rollercoaster of hiring…
How consumer habits have shifted post-pandemic
The rhythm of everyday life was permanently altered by the pandemic, and with it, the habits of consumers worldwide have evolved in ways few could…
Exploring the connection between healthcare and economic performance
As the world surveys lessons from recent global events, the relationship between healthcare and economic performance is scrutinized with fresh urgency in 2025. Policymakers, healthcare…
The importance of financial literacy in today’s economy
Across bustling city centers and quiet suburban streets, the rhythm of daily life is increasingly set against the backdrop of financial complexity. Whether someone is…
How automation is transforming various industries in 2025
At the dawn of 2025, the pulse of industry beats stronger, and smarter, than ever before. Once confined to science fiction and niche manufacturing, automation…
Understanding the gig economy: opportunities and challenges ahead
The gig economy is no longer a fringe concept but a daily reality for nearly half the world’s workforce. In 2025, the familiar office cubicle…