The truth about the UK economy this year is much less exciting. The Bank of England said last week that by the end of 2025 it expected real GDP growth in the year to have been 1.4 per cent, exactly on track to meet the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast from March.

RACHEL Reeves received a pre-Budget blow as the UK economy has slowed down. The Chancellor now facing huge pressure after growth was lower than what economists had forecast – and comes ahead

Gold is up 0.5% at $4,140 an ounce, and oil (Brent crude) is up about 0.6% to $64.40 a barrel. Bitcoin is down 0.9% at $104,650 per coin, while Ethereum is up 0.2% at $3,550. The pound is down 0.2% against the US dollar at $1.314, and down 0.4% against the euro at €1.135.

LONDON (AP) — Economic growth in the U.K. slowed down to a near standstill in the third quarter of the year, official figures showed Thursday, in what is a blow to the British government less than two weeks ahead of a crucial budget that is expected to see taxes rise again.

Despite the fact that ONS figures show London accounts for almost a quarter of the UK economy, the report shows the capital has been in a "stagnant" state since the 2008 financial crisis, and cites housing costs and availability as some of the key factors for its stuttering growth.

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Britain's economy slowed in the third quarter, official data showed Thursday, dealing another blow to the Labour government ahead of its annual budget.

Prof Anton Muscatelli's report calls for a range of reforms to planning, business rates and skills in Scotland.