Retail sales rise but ONS apologises as statistics crisis deepens

Sunny weather and the Euro 2025 women’s football tournament helped boost retail sales in July, according to delayed official figures that have been blighted by errors.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) apologised for the mistakes and delay in releasing the retail sales figures for Great Britain, which were published two weeks later than planned.The UK statistics agency made another error on Friday morning, issuing a link to the wrong blog by a senior executive explaining that the ONS needs to improve its performance.The ONS said retail sales volumes grew 0.6% month on month in July because of a combination of factors, including good weather and sales of clothing and merchandise related to the Lionesses’ winning run

US justice department opens criminal inquiry into Fed governor Lisa Cook

The US justice department has initiated a criminal investigation into mortgage fraud claims against Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook as a lawsuit she filed against Donald Trump over her firing makes its way through court.Lawyers with the justice department have issued subpoenas for the investigation, according to the Wall Street Journal, who first reported the investigation, which has since been confirmed by multiple news publications.Last month, Trump moved to fire Cook over unconfirmed claims that she listed two properties as her primary residence. Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing and Finance Agency and a close ally of Trump, alleged Cook had lied on bank documents and records to obtain a better mortgage rate.Cook, a voting member of the Fed board that sets interest rates, said she has “no intention of being bullied to step down” and that she would “take any questions about my financial history seriously”

BrewDog posts £37m loss as sales growth slows to just 1%

BrewDog lost nearly £37m last year as sales growth ground to a virtual halt, capping a rocky period in the wake of its outspoken founder James Watt’s departure as chief executive.In the past few months, the self-styled “punk” beer company’s drinks have been axed from 2,000 pubs as customers opted for rival brews. It has also shut 10 of its own bars, citing tough trading conditions. Watt’s co-founder, Martin Dickie, announced his own departure last month.On Thursday afternoon, BrewDog’s shareholders – who it calls “punks” – received an update outlining the company’s financial position

UK businesses cut jobs at fastest pace in four years over summer, Bank of England finds

UK businesses cut jobs at the fastest pace in four years over the summer, according to a Bank of England survey highlighting the impact from tax rises on employers.The monthly snapshot from a survey of chief financial officers at British businesses of all sizes showed firms reduced employment by an annual rate of 0.5% in the three months to August, the fastest since 2021.There was also a marked decline from the previous month in firms’ employment intentions for the coming year. Expectations for jobs growth weakened by 0

Simple solution to Sainsbury’s shoplifting | Brief letters

There is a far better way for Sainsbury’s to cut shoplifting than using facial recognition tech (Report, 2 September). It is simply to employ more staff to serve at the checkouts rather than increasing the use of self-service terminals. Last time we went to the Sainsbury’s Whitechapel store, there were no staffed checkouts at all and no floor manager to complain to, just self-service tills and one harassed member of staff trying to keep an eye on things. Mary Pimm and Nik WoodLondon Regarding Zoe Williams’ dealings at her local tip (2 September), if the recycling centre isn’t interested in old but working computers or monitors, how about asking your local school? Our local primary was happy to take my old but fully working Apple iMac and Mac mini. Ken Scott South Milford, North Yorkshire Manchester may have had “Corporation Pop” (Letters, 1 September), but in Birmingham we had “Corporation Brylcreem”

US hiring slows as jobs market loses momentum; UK construction in longest slump since 2020 – as it happened

Just in: Hiring at US companies slowed sharply last month – another sign that America’s jobs market is cooling.Company payroll operator ADP reports that private sector employment increased by 54,000 jobs in August, barely half the 106,000 jobs created in July.“The year started with strong job growth, but that momentum has been whipsawed by uncertainty,” said Dr Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP, adding:“A variety of things could explain the hiring slowdown, including labor shortages, skittish consumers, and AI disruptions.”ADP reports that manufacturing employment fell by 7,000 jobs last month, while construction added 16,000 and natural resources/mining payrolls rose by 4,000.Payrolls across services companies rose by 42,000; here’s a breakdown:Trade/transportation/utilities -17,000Information 7,000Financial activities -2,000Professional/business services 15,000Education/health services -12,000Leisure/hospitality 50,000Other services 1,000Time for a recap