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Empowering retail savers to engage with investing: why Barclays is campaigning for change 

What factors are preventing consumers from finding the right investment options? Sasha Wiggins, Chief Executive of Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, shares why she believes a “step change” is needed to tackle the advice gap and empower savers.

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Latest insights

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Growth in Brits’ non-essential spending reaches 2024-high, as Oasis ticket sales boost entertainment by 14.4 per cent

Consumer card spending increased 1.2 per cent year-on-year in September, after returning to growth in August.

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The beauty boom: redefining consumer ‘essentials’ 

From shifts in spending priorities to the impact of social media – discover the trends that are transforming the health and beauty industry.

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Money mules: how to protect yourself against the wave of scams

Barclays research suggests that 15% of young people have been targeted by ‘mule herders’. Lending Fraud Director Neil Scriven breaks down the rise of this worrying trend.

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Seven in 10 young people unaware money muling could result in criminal record

As freshers week kicks off across the UK, the latest Barclays Scams Bulletin reveals how scammers are targeting students and young people.

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Barclays Business Demography Map: Number Of UK Companies Grows By 300k Year-On-Year

The total number of businesses in the UK has grown for the sixth consecutive quarter. Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays looks at the reasons behind this growth.

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Graduating from a Junior Stock Market in the UK 

Our latest research shows removing unnecessary frictions for high growth companies looking to graduate into main markets could drive dynamism and agility within UK capital markets.

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Empowering retail savers to engage with investing: the role of public policy

Encouraging a stronger retail investing market in the UK is important both for the economy and for individual financial empowerment. A new Barclays report makes five policy recommendations that could help address the market failures that prevent consumers from investing.

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Are there UK savers who could become investors that grow the UK economy?

Read in more detail about the findings and recommendations in our ‘Are there UK savers who could become investors that grow the UK economy?' report.

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“The biggest driver is confidence”: exploring what’s next for the property market

Mark Arnold, Head of Savings and Mortgages at Barclays UK, shares the bank’s latest property insights – and explores what is on the horizon for rental and mortgage customers. 

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Rent and mortgage spending growth hits 17-month low in August

Consumer confidence has increased following the base rate reduction, with 70 per cent confident in their household finances, up from 65 per cent in July.

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Card spending returns to growth in August as the summer heatwave and ‘Sweet Treat Economy’ lift spirits

Grocery spending saw its highest uplift since March, fuelled by a surge in shopping for picnic and barbecue foods at specialist stores.

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Falling energy bills offset higher rent and mortgage costs in July

The latest Barclays Property Insights report reveals that rising mortgage costs were offset by falling energy bills in July.

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Card spending declines in July, despite Euros final and holidays boosting pubs and travel

The Euros propped up pubs and bars, with transactions tripling on the day of the final.

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Unlocking equity investment for businesses across the UK

Barclays conducted a review to better understand what actions by local government would be most powerful in helping local businesses secure equity investment across the UK.

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Quarterly spend trends: summer showers, streamflation and Swiftonomics

Vim Maru, Barclays UK’s Chief Executive, explains how cooler temperatures can make a huge difference to people’s lives – and play a big role in shaping spending patterns.

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Barclays Scams Bulletin: Men more likely to fall victim to romance scams, while women lose more money

Barclays is issuing a warning to those looking for love this summer, as the Bank’s latest data reveals romance scams are on the rise, with the amount claimed in May/June up 139% compared to March/April 2024.

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Making the UK a destination of choice for climate tech companies critical for net zero

Barclays details four key recommendations to help the new UK Government unlock financing critical to scaling next generation climate tech companies.

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Rent and mortgage costs stabilise in June

Data sourced from millions of Barclays current accounts reveals spending on rent and mortgages rose just 1.5 per cent year-on-year in June.

Barclays Group CEO, C.S. Venkatakrishnan

Three ideas for unlocking the UK’s economic potential

C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Barclays Group Chief Executive explains why financial services must be central to the country’s growth mission.

Two women in rain under umbrella

June’s mixed weather hinders the high-street

As colder weather hampered spending at clothing stores, pubs and garden centres, new TV releases such as ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘House of the Dragon’ boosted digital content and takeaway spending.

Two people sat on a paddle board in turquoise sea

Sun, sea, and a summer of spend

Are UK retailers staying ahead of consumer trends? With summer fast approaching, Karen Johnson, Barclays Head of Retail at Barclays, writes about how retailers are adapting.

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