Britain’s annual rate of consumer price inflation unexpectedly rose to its highest in over a year at 3.6% in June, official figures showed today, potentially making it a tougher call for the Bank of England to cut interest rates next month. June’s reading from the Office for National Statistics took the annual CPI rate to
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What’s the story with this PRSI tax thing on my payslip?
Analysis: All you need to know about one of the very taxes where what you pay is directly linked to your future entitlements We’ve all been there. You look at your payslip, see all the deductions and wonder where your money’s going. One of those deductions is PRSI. It’s a small amount, it’s easy to
Read More...Budget 2026 must be ‘sensible and prudent’ – Ibec
Business group Ibec has said Budget 2026 must be “sensible and prudent” given the fragile global environment. Launching its pre-budget submission, it urged the Government to take a “measured and strategic approach”. The group has also called for targeted investment in areas that enhance productivity and competitiveness. It said sound economic policy must focus on
Read More...Bitcoin tops $120,000 for the first time
Bitcoin surpassed $120,000 for the first time today, marking a milestone for the world’s largest cryptocurrency as investors bet on long-sought policy wins for the industry this week. Bitcoin scaled a record high of $123,153.22 before pulling back slightly to trade 2.4% higher around $122,000. Later in the day, the US House of Representatives will
Read More...EU says could target €72bn of US goods if tariff talks fail
The European Commission has said it was putting forward a new list of US goods worth €72 billion that could be targeted by EU levies if tariff talks with Washington fail. The bloc’s trade chief, Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, announced the proposal, “accounting for some 72 billion euros’ worth of US imports”, at a meeting with
Read More...Next fortnight crucial for Ireland amid US tariff threats
There’s no doubt US President Donald Trump’s threat of 30% tariffs is a significant blow to both the European Union and Ireland. Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed hopes that Brussels and Washington could agree a framework deal which would pause any escalation in trade tensions. But Mr Trump’s letter to the EU, dated
Read More...Over 2,100 pub closures in last 20 years, report finds
More than 2,100 pubs across the country have closed since 2005, according to a new report. The study, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year over the last 20 years. DIGI said the report concluded the number of pubs in Ireland is
Read More...Is the big AI job displacement already under way?
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment came into sharp focus this week. On Tuesday, Minister of State with responsibility for AI Niamh Smyth, told the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence that there will be a certain amount of job displacement because of AI. Also this week, the latest ‘Employment Monitor’ from recruitment firm
Read More...Bitcoin rallies to all-time high on investor demand
Bitcoin rallied to an all-time high today, powered by demand from institutional investors and crypto-friendly policies from US President Donald Trump’s administration. The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose to a peak of $116,781.10 in the Asian session on Friday, taking its gains for the year so far to more than 24%. It was last trading at
Read More...Real economy to continue to grow this year despite global uncertainty
There will be continued strong growth in the real economy between this year and 2027, according to forecasts by Davy, despite global uncertainty. At the same time, though, the stockbroker has downgraded its forecast for housing completions this year. Ireland’s gross national income – a measure which excludes multinational activity – expanded by 4.8% last
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