Hat-trick of good UK economic news, but US growth misses forecasts – business live

UK budget surplus hits record in January and retail sales rose, while private sector activity is strengthening in February UK reports record-breaking budget surplus of £30.4bn in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves Art and antiques help lift retail sales in Great Britain to biggest monthly rise since 2024 The jump in tax receipts last month may show that UK government receipts are starting to get the boost from inflation and wage growth earlier in the year. Nick Ridpath, research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, says: Today’s data on the public finances is particularly important, given the outsized impact of January’s self-assessment returns on revenues and borrowing for the year as a whole. Income tax receipts had been a little disappointing over 2025, lagging behind forecasts even as inflation and wage growth exceeded expectations. But today’s data shows that self-assessment revenues in January were almost £2bn (6%) higher than forecast. Mail order retailers, which are predominantly online, experienced a boost from retailers selling sports supplements, as well as continued strong sales volumes by online jewellers. Comments from jewellers reported that demand had hit unprecedented levels. Continue reading...

By Graeme Wearden