Stay informed and discover our economic insights where we publish the latest economic outlooks,
focusing on the current issue of inflation and its wider effects.

We have put together some resources which contain industry updates and practical advice on this fast moving topic.

UK Economic Outlook

Inflation and price indices
Inflation and price indices

Global uncertainty due to US tariffs continues to prevail at record-high levels. This may lead to a synchronised decline in the economic cycle in both developed and emerging markets. (Source: Allianz

On 7 August, the Bank of England cut its base rate to 4.0%. Further reductions are expected if inflation softens. (Source: Forbes

The Bank of England is expected to continue its gradual easing cycle in 2025. (Source: Allianz

According to Allianz Research’s mid-year economic outlook, global growth is expected to remain sluggish at +2.5% in 2025, the slowest since 2008 outside of recession periods. (Source: Allianz

Investors have pulled back from the US, contributing to a notably stronger euro despite relatively less attractive returns (e.g. lower yields or geopolitical uncertainties). So far in 2025, the euro has risen by more than 10% against the US dollar, supported by capital flows away from the US and into European assets. (Source: Allianz

Real wage growth has been dynamic and has helped to support a recovery in household spending. (Source: Allianz

The labour market shows signs of normalisation with layoffs expected as companies focus on efficiency and cost cutting. (Source: Allianz

Five-year fixed mortgage rates remain around 5%, with limited movement expected for the rest of 2025. Market forecasts now suggest only one further base rate cut this year, making any sharp drop-in mortgage rates unlikely before 2026. (Source: MoneyWeek, Reuters

Retailers continue to pass on the cost of wage hikes and higher taxation to the consumer, which is disproportionately impacting families with tighter budgets. (Source: Savills)

  • As inflation eases, insurers face less pressure to raise premiums. Both motor and home insurance premiums have fallen in 2025, reversing the trends of recent years. (Source: Consumer Intelligence)
  • Lower mortgage rates might encourage more home purchases which will increase demand for home insurance as new owners seek coverage.
  • Insurers are benefitting significantly from the use of AI-driven underwriting which has led to smarter risk prediction, more tailored policies, and improved efficiency.

Supply chain disruption

Supply chains are becoming more and more reliant upon automation and robotics to fulfil consumer expectations for speed and accuracy. (Source: Total Supply Chain Summit

The adoption of goods-to-person (G2P) robotics systems, which brings items directly to pickers minimises travel time and boosts productivity. (Source: Total Supply Chain Summit

Global trade disruption and subsequent market uncertainty have negatively impacted UK exports and increased costs. (Source: Allianz

89% of UK firms have renegotiated supplier and logistics contracts to manage the rising costs of UK exports. (Source: Allianz

The UK sectors currently most affected by supply chain disruption are automotive, chemicals and machinery, which are sensitive to global demand and tariff shifts. (Source: UK Trade Statistics)

  • Insurers may see reduced premium volumes from UK export heavy sectors. 
  • An increased risk of insolvency among UK exporters could lead to higher premiums for remaining clients. 
  • Supply chain rerouting to avoid the Red Sea and Black Sea corridors may increase risk exposure and claims costs. 

Natural catastrophes and climate change are set to present two of the biggest risks to businesses in 2025. (Source: Allianz

On 1st October the Ofgem price cap will rise by 2%. This means a typical household will see its energy costs increase from £1720 to £1755 a year. (Source: BBC News

UK household energy debt has doubled in two years and now exceeds £4 billion, the highest ever recorded. (Source: Energy UK

Fertiliser, packaging and transport costs have risen as a consequence of energy-linked inflation, and this has contributed to rising food costs. (Source: Savills)

  • Buildings insurance costs rose 84.7% between 2021 and 2024 and are forecast to climb further due to reinsurance costs and adverse weather events. (Source: RSM
  • Insurers are reassessing risk models to account for non-traditional hazards that weren’t previously priced in. (Source: Moody’s)  

Food costs are rising at their fastest rate since February 2024. (Source: BBC News

The cost of producing fresh produce has risen due to floods, droughts, and heatwaves in the UK and supplier countries. (Source: Savills

Increases to the minimum wage and employer National Insurance in April 2025 have led to higher labour costs which has disproportionately impacted the hospitality sector. (Source: House of Commons Library

  • Rising food costs contribute to overall cost-of-living pressures, which can increase claims for theft and fraudulent claims. 
  • Wage inflation drives up the cost of medical, rehabilitation and legal expenses in liability claims. 
  • Insurers covering food manufacturers and retailers are seeing increased exposure to business interruption claims due to supply chain volatility and price shocks. (Source: Allianz

Labour market constraints and inflation continue to impact tender prices, which are predicted to rise by 15% over the next five years. (Source: BCIS

Material costs are projected to rise by 14% over the five-year period to 2030. (Source: BCIS)

  • Tariffs on construction materials like steel and aluminium are making home repairs and replacements more expensive.  
  • Home insurance premiums remain high as insurers absorb higher repair and rebuild costs. 

Labour market constraints and inflation continue to impact tender prices. 

It is estimated that the sector will need to recruit nearly 48,000 extra workers per year to meet demand. (Source: CITB)

  • There has been a surge in contractor insolvencies which is triggering more insurance claims. (Source: Allianz) 
  • Late payments and cash flow instability across supply chains are increasing the risk of defaults. (Source: Construction Wave) 
  • Innovations in sustainability and new construction methods can introduce unfamiliar liabilities and require updated underwriting models.

Some models of electric car will be eligible for a discount of £3,750 under the government’s grant scheme. (Source: BBC News

Electric vehicles made up 41.5% of UK output in 2025. (Source: SMMT

Commercial vehicle production has dropped by 45.4%, this is largely due to plant restructuring and weak demand. (Source: SMMT

  • The cost of motor insurance claims is rising due to more extreme weather events, longer repair times and energy-linked inflation. (Source: FCA)  
  • It is anticipated that UK motor insurers will need to increase premiums due to rising claims costs and falling margins. (Source: FCA

Properties to be newly let must achieve an EPC rating of C or higher before the December 2025 deadline. 

Residential investment continues to be an economic weak spot, plagued by high mortgage rates and a hike in stamp duty. (Source: Allianz

Lower, though still high, borrowing costs should start to prop up the residential sector. (Source: Allianz

Buy-to-Let sector lending is expected to rise due to improved affordability and falling rates. However, more landlords are likely to sell up due to the Renters Rights Bill, which will further worsen the supply shortage and push rents up. (Source: IMLA

  • The EPC mandate will likely increase demand for property insurance policies, covering energy efficient renovations. 

  • Allianz Economic Research – Allianz global research analysing economic and industrial developments.
  • Underinsurance – Resources, information and guidance to help customers understand the issue of underinsurance.
  • Ludonomics – Ludovic Subran, Allianz Group’s Chief Economist, publishes a weekly update on Allianz markets, macro, sector and insurance.

*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at June 2024
*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at March 2024
*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at December 2023
*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at September 2023
*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at June 2023
*Please note the latest data available for all metrics in this report as at 20 March 2023
people outside flower shop
New research by Allianz Commercial has found that inflation continues to be the biggest threat facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2024. The recent survey of 500 SMEs revealed the top three threats and challenges.
british flag in london
The Allianz Risk Barometer, an annual report identifying the top corporate risks for the year ahead, has identified the top risks for businesses in 2024. Here we look at the top ten risks identified by UK participants.
people looking at paper graps and a calculator
Whilst breaking a record is generally cause for celebration, there’s been little to celebrate about the recent record inflation rates in the UK. In September, UK inflation reached its highest level for 40 years.

The Insurance Tomorrow podcast

Steph McGovern and experts across the industry discuss major global business trends, their impacts on the insurance industry and
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