A new UK government initiative will provide eligible parents receiving benefits with up to £4,500 when their child begins an apprenticeship, aiming to counteract disincentives within the welfare system.
The number of job vacancies in the UK has reached its lowest point in five years, with official figures revealing a substantial reduction in recruitment across various sectors as businesses adopt a more cautious approach to staffing.
Apple plans to increase product prices due to surging memory chip costs, according to outgoing CEO Tim Cook. The artificial intelligence boom and supply chain disruptions have created an 'unsustainable' situation, with global smartphone prices expected to rise by 20% in 2026.
The US Federal Reserve, under new chairman Kevin Warsh, maintained interest rates between 3.5% and 3.75%. This decision follows President Trump's previous calls for rate cuts and comes as inflation stands at 3.8%, partly driven by the US-Israel conflict in Iran. Warsh has initiated a comprehensive review of the Fed's communication and policy-setting mechanisms.
