The Bank of Japan's 1 October 2026 Summary of Opinions says Japan's economy is expected to keep growing moderately, while policymakers continue to watch upside risks to inflation and the case for further policy adjustment.
U.S. real GDP grew at an annualised rate of 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.7 percentage points above the second estimate but below revised 2.5% growth in Q1.
U.S. personal consumption expenditures rose 0.9% in August 2026 and real spending increased 0.6%, while the PCE price index was 3.4% higher than a year earlier.
U.S. real GDP grew at a 1.5% annualised rate in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1% in Q1, as faster consumer spending was offset by weaker government spending, investment and exports.
VAT on household electricity will fall to 0% from 1 October 2026; the government estimates an average household saving of about £45 a year, a 2026-27 cost of around £850 million and a direct 0.10 percentage-point reduction in CPI inflation.
UK public sector net borrowing was £1.8 billion in July 2026, while public sector net debt stood at £2,984.9 billion, or 94.1% of GDP, at the end of the month.
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