Household debts are rising at their fastest pace in seven months, fuelled by an increase in borrowing among the young, The Telegraph reported. Borrowing rose across all age groups apart from 25 to 34-year-olds in February, according to the S&P Global Consumer Sentiment index. Debts climbed the fastest among those aged 18 to 24. Gen Z debt surged, with this age group struggling to find work. The unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds jumped to 15.3pc in the three months to September.

Isey Fischimport GmbH and Fimex Tiefkühl GmbH, both based in Bremerhaven, Germany filed for insolvency proceedings at the Bremerhaven District Court on February 5, 2026, FischMagazin.de reported. The court subsequently ordered preliminary insolvency administration for both companies on February 6, 2026, appointing attorney Dr. Christian Kaufmann of Pluta Rechtsanwalts GmbH as the preliminary insolvency administrator in both cases.

The eurozone closed out 2025 with a solid trade surplus, as exports kept rising even though some major industries brought in less money, according to new figures from Eurostat, Euronews.com reported. The bloc recorded a €12.6bn surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in December 2025, underlining the resilience of European exporters at the end of the year. According to Eurostat, “the first estimates of euro area balance showed a €12.6bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in December 2025, compared with +€13.9 bn in December 2024”.

The Bank of England made an “error” by cutting interest rates too far and too fast, its chief economist has said, The Telegraph reported. Huw Pill said inflation had not fallen as much as officials expected when they began cutting rates 18 months ago. He suggested the Bank’s aggressive rate cuts may have led to higher price rises than otherwise. “Maybe we have already made the policy error,” he said.

According to a report released Thursday by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the workforce in the country's automotive industry diminished by a third between 2010 and 2023, Euronews.com reported. This includes manufacturers, equipment makers and other suppliers, with the bulk of the disruption being caused by car manufacturers who cut 46,000 jobs during the 13-year period observed in the study. Falling sales due to Chinese competition, among other factors, exacerbated the issue and led to consequent factory closures and relocations.

The European Central Bank is prepared to offer euro liquidity to monetary authorities from around the world, an effort to prevent market tensions and increase global use of the single currency, Bloomberg News reported. The Frankfurt-based institution will extend repo lines to “all central banks, unless excluded on the grounds of, in particular, money laundering, terrorist financing or international sanctions,” it said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the changes will apply as of the third quarter.

The U.K. economy recorded another year of tempered economic growth in 2025 as consumers stayed cautious, unemployment rose and borrowing costs remained high, the Wall Street Journal reported. The country’s center-left Labour government took office in July 2024, having pledged to lift the U.K. out of a long period of stagnation, but 2025 instead saw a rebound in inflation and the imposition of higher U.S. tariffs on imports from the country, which hampered growth. Economists don’t expect to see a big acceleration this year, although inflation is set to cool.

More than 180 survivors of abuse by the former Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed are currently "engaged" in its compensation scheme, the company has said, BBC.com reported. The luxury retailer said it has already paid out compensation to more than 50 women. The scheme, which was opened last March, will close to new submissions on 31 March. In October, Harrods said it had set aside more than £60m in its plan to compensate victims of alleged historical abuse.

The UK-based launch services provider Orbex has entered insolvency proceedings after a planned takeover by European space logistics startup The Exploration Company fell through, EuropeanSpaceFlight.com reported. In December 2025, The Exploration Company entered negotiations to acquire Orbex.

An arts-based charity in Glasgow has officially declared itself insolvent. The remaining trustees of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) have published an insolvency notice, with a petition provided to the court on February 3 to Glasgow Sheriff Court, TFN.scot reported. Louise Dorothy Norris, Kirstine Mairi Ogg and Dr Paola Pasino applied to have the company wound up by the court. Parties have eight days from intimation of the notice - published on February 10 - to lodge an interest. Read more.