UK Cost of Living Briefing: Bank Profits, BoE Hikes, and Supermarket Wars

HSBC's £7.5bn quarterly profit haul has reignited calls for a £19bn windfall tax on banks to fund cost-of-living support, as campaigners target rising mortgage and loan costs passed on to households.

Bank of England Under Pressure to Act

The BoE held rates at 3.75%, but a 6-3 vote split shows growing hawkishness as energy-driven inflation risks a "second-round" spike. Governor Andrew Bailey's patience is being tested by stubborn...