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The latest UK labour market data paint a worrying picture. Unemployment is at its highest level since the pandemic; wage growth is slowing; and vacancies continue to fall. But it’s not all bad news: the slowdown in pay growth helps to ease upward pressures on inflation.

Despite an abundance of valuable raw materials and breathtaking natural beauty, the western US state of Wyoming lags its neighbours in terms of economic performance. This is largely due to a lack of substantial urban centres, driven in part by excessively restrictive regulations on housing.

Taiwan is a highly developed economy that has experienced periods of rapid growth. Policies that championed industries such as semiconductor manufacturing have contributed enormously to the island’s economic progress. Relations with China remain a big economic and geopolitical concern.

UK inflation has risen sharply, with higher household utility bills driving the largest increase since October 2022. This month’s data release is also the first since higher minimum wages and national insurance contributions came into effect, putting pressure on employers’ labour costs.

The latest labour market data show that the UK unemployment rate has increased slightly after a period of stability, while wage growth has eased. Vacancies are declining steadily, having recently fallen below pre-pandemic levels. Redundancies have stopped rising in the last two months.

Americans faced surging rental costs in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. Since then, the cities and regions that have built the most houses have managed to bring prices under control. But in places where housing supply remains low, rents have continued to spiral.

Bengaluru and Chennai, two of southern India’s most vibrant cities, are emblematic of the country’s resurgence as a global economic powerhouse. With tariff barriers being raised in China and the United States, the Asian sub-continent may offer alternative opportunities for exporters and investors.

The British industrial revolution brought about the transformation in productivity that created modern economic growth and raised standards of living across the globe. Yet the country has long struggled to sustain productivity growth that compares favourably with other advanced economies.

A new report from the Competition and Markets Authority examines the record of industrial policies in the UK and across a range of comparator countries, their effectiveness in boosting productivity, and the characteristics of the UK sectors most likely to drive future economic growth.

Bangladesh is well-known for its low-cost production of textiles and clothing, with much of the country’s recent development resting on rapid growth in the garment industry. But behind this progress is an unsustainable reliance on low pay and poor working conditions, particularly for women.

Fashion is a big part of the modern global economy. The industry reaches almost all corners of society and generates massive profits. But its evolution has been marked by contrasting stages. Today, fashion is highly democratised as well as being deeply unsustainable. It has not always been this way.

As people live longer, public policy and public spending should pivot towards ensuring longer, healthier and more active lives. This includes a shift towards preventative healthcare and lifelong education.

Technological advances such as machine learning and big data models can improve our understanding of current economic conditions. Nowcasting models bridge the data gap between statistical releases, helping to identify trends in real time and allowing more accurate and timely policy measures.

Despite an abundance of valuable raw materials and breathtaking natural beauty, the western US state of Wyoming lags its neighbours in terms of economic performance. This is largely due to a lack of substantial urban centres, driven in part by excessively restrictive regulations on housing.

China’s semiconductor industry faces a tension between self-sufficiency and global integration, engaging in open innovation where possible, but pivoting to security-driven self-reliance when necessary. Progress has been made, but big challenges remain, particularly with growing geopolitical risks.

A dire financial position at University College, Cardiff in the 1980s required an emergency response from the highest levels of UK government. Now, four decades on, Cardiff University and many other higher education institutions face a similar crisis – and may also require some kind of rescue.

UK high streets vary in both range and affordability. From Greggs’ national footprint to the dominance of Pret A Manger in London, the location and prices of different shops reveal the country’s economic, political and cultural divides.

Australia’s voters have returned the Labor Party to power – not least as geopolitical uncertainty favoured the stability of incumbency. Key areas of the renewed government’s focus will be measures on industrial innovation and skill formation to boost productivity and help to raise living standards.

Countries that have access to vast amounts of renewable energy – such as Mexico – may be able attract companies to relocate by offering cheaper and cleaner production. But for such ‘powershoring’ to succeed, there needs to be competitive renewable energy capacity and strong trade links.

Unexpected economic growth in February is positive news for UK policy-makers. But the latest GDP data release pre-dates the imposition of tariffs on goods exports to the United States. How these protectionist measures will affect the UK economy remains to be seen.

Bangladesh is well-known for its low-cost production of textiles and clothing, with much of the country’s recent development resting on rapid growth in the garment industry. But behind this progress is an unsustainable reliance on low pay and poor working conditions, particularly for women.

Fashion is a big part of the modern global economy. The industry reaches almost all corners of society and generates massive profits. But its evolution has been marked by contrasting stages. Today, fashion is highly democratised as well as being deeply unsustainable. It has not always been this way.

Western countries imposed extensive sanctions on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the measures were unilateral and piecemeal – and while they have been effective in disrupting the Russian economy, evasion and ‘trade deflection’ through third countries limits their impact.