For ongoing strikes today to have any prospect of success, unions must carefully balance industrial action with negotiation to maintain public support.

The UK housing market downturn that started in the 1980s saw prices fall in absolute terms for the first (recorded) time, and this continued until 1994.

A surge in debt costs - pushed up by soaring inflation to twice their previous monthly peak - added to Britain's budget deficit in June, which was its highest since April 2021, data showed on Thursday.

Surging petrol and food prices last month pushed British inflation to its highest rate in 40 years, according to official figures that bolstered the chances of a rare half percentage-point Bank of England interest rate hike next month.

Arsenal threw in the towel in the race for Lisandro Martinez after Manchester United submitted to Ajax's financial demands.

Oleksandr Zinchenko will join Arsenal after agreeing a four-year deal with the Gunners. Manchester City will receive £30 million for the Ukrainian.

Cutting taxes without a reduction in public spending might actually fuel inflation by stoking demand

Barcelona's chances of landing Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde depend on Frenkie de Jong agreeing to join Manchester United.

Official government guidance still suggests that you should take a test if you think you might have COVID.

Britain's economy grew unexpectedly in May, driven by a rise in doctor appointments but also broader demand for things such as holidays, according to data that could reassure the Bank of England about its plans to keep on raising interest rates.

Arsenal have decided to pull out of the race for Lisandro Martinez after Manchester United entered the bidding.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has been inundated with threats for trying to force a move away from the German Bundesliga giants.

The basic idea is that the consistent ratcheting up of workers' pay to match inflation and cost of living increases leads to firms raising prices to protect their profit margins.

Barcelona are ready to sell Memphis Depay after agreeing deals with Ousmane Dembele and Leeds United for Raphinha.

Barcelona do not want to sell Frenkie de Jong because they face a considerable financial outlay even if United offer to pay €85 million to sign the Dutch midfielder.

The election of Margaret Thatcher as Conservative prime minister in May 1979, signalled the start of a period of major restrictions on trade union power.

Barcelona are ready to hold on to Frenkie de Jong if the midfielder agrees to a pay cut going forward. Manchester United remain in talks to sign the Dutchman.

Novak Djokovic admits he is a convert to Wimbledon's new middle Sunday play rule as the three-time defending champion aims at reaching the quarter-finals for the 13th time.

Arsenal are facing the prospect of losing out on both Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez after Chelsea and Manchester United emerged as the frontrunners.

Britain racked up a record shortfall in its current account in early 2022, in part due to the soaring cost of its fuel imports, according to data that officials cautioned could be revised.

Mikel Arteta is keen to get most of his transfer business done before his team departs on their pre-season tour on July 8.

Death literacy: why it's important to talk about dying

As interest rates rise, consumers and businesses will find it more costly to borrow to invest and spend, and aggregate demand will fall further.

Recent figures show that UK farms in hilly and mountainous areas made an average annual income of just £15,500 – less than half the national median salary.

One reason for lower membership levels among younger workers is that they are more likely to be in precarious employment with less access to unions.

The fact that UK higher education is still significantly state-subsidised means, in effect, UK taxpayers continue to fund privately educated students during their university studies.

Because the cost of living is hitting people very urgently and directly. Food is a much bigger percentage of retail sales than other categories, and the cost is going up rapidly.

British consumers cut back on shopping in May in the face of fast-rising inflation, and a measure of their confidence sank to a record low this month, according to data that underscored the scale of the cost-of-living squeeze.

Several Western European nations have recently recorded their highest daily case numbers in months, due in part to Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Soaring food prices pushed British consumer price inflation to a 40-year high of 9.1% last month, the highest rate out of the Group of Seven countries and underlining the severity of the cost-of-living crunch.