German Bund Yields Hit Three-Week Low as Energy Prices Ease and ECB Outlook Softens 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Dow Hits Record Despite Tech Weakness 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as US Dollar Nears Seven-Week Low Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Iran Hormuz Deal and Earnings Shape Market Sentiment 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Stocks Cautious Ahead of US Jobs Data as Oil Rises 
US Stock Futures Rise as Markets Await July Payrolls Data 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Philippine GDP Growth Slows to 2.3% in Q2 
Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Australia Trade Surplus Returns in June as Iron Ore, Coal and LNG Exports Surge 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour Party, has come under scrutiny over a perceived shift in his economic promises. Initially declaring ambitions for Britain to achieve the fastest per capita growth among G7 countries, Starmer's government recently revised this as an “aim” rather than a concrete “goal.” Critics argue this softens the target amid growing economic stagnation and faltering living standards.
Starmer denies watering down his pledge, emphasizing a focus on improving living standards rather than abstract economic metrics. This comes at a time when household disposable incomes have grown only marginally since 2019, marking the worst parliamentary term for real living standards since the 1950s. With only modest improvements forecast, the Labour government faces mounting pressure to meet its ambitious economic and social targets.
The Office for Budget Responsibility projects only slight growth in disposable incomes during the current parliamentary term, casting doubts on Labour's economic credibility. Meanwhile, inflation and stagnant wages continue to squeeze UK households, contributing to growing public frustration.
Starmer, who led Labour to victory in 2024 after 14 years of Conservative rule, has struggled to maintain his lead in public opinion polls. The Conservative opposition has seized on the economic challenges, including faltering productivity and the high cost of living, to paint Labour's policies as ineffective. Moreover, long-term challenges, such as slow productivity growth and an aging population, complicate Labour's path toward fulfilling its promises.
