UK business confidence plunged to its lowest level on record in September, driven primarily by escalating employment costs and ongoing energy price pressures. According to a survey of business leaders conducted by the Institute of Directors, cost expectations reached unprecedented heights, with labor expenses representing the most significant concern. Anna Leach, the IoD's chief economist, noted that "business confidence has plumbed new depths in September" following a brief improvement at summer's end, highlighting deteriorating conditions across multiple sectors.

The bleak business sentiment emerges against a backdrop of divided views among Bank of England policymakers regarding the inflation trajectory. Two Bank officials, Clare Lombardelli and Catherine Mann, have expressed concerns that UK inflation may not decline as rapidly as anticipated next year, with recent food price spikes potentially persisting into 2026. Both policymakers voted against the central bank's most recent interest rate cut in August, with Mann stating she believes "an inflation persistence scenario is playing out" despite maintaining that further rate reductions remain possible.

In contrast, Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden has adopted a more optimistic stance, asserting that the recent increase in UK inflation will prove temporary and unlikely to generate significant second-round effects. Speaking at Cardiff University, Breeden stated she had "not seen any evidence yet to suggest that the underlying disinflationary process from past shocks is veering off-track," characterizing the situation as "so far so good." Her comments came as headline inflation remained at 3.8% in August, unchanged from the previous month.

The policy divergence within the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee reflects the complex balancing act facing UK monetary authorities. While some members worry about entrenched inflation, Breeden has cautioned that maintaining restrictive policy for "too long" carries economic risks, potentially undermining output and employment while pulling inflation below target. This tension between inflation control and growth preservation comes as businesses grapple with record-low confidence and the chancellor faces calls to deliver a growth-focused budget in November that prioritizes business interests.

Kilcoo secured their place in Down football history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh consecutive Senior Football Championship title with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Carryduff at Pairc Esler. The Magpies delivered their strongest performance of the championship when it mattered most, with Paul Devlin's first-half penalty goal providing crucial separation in a hard-fought contest that saw the throw-in time pushed back to 5pm following a pitch inspection.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm, saw Kilcoo demonstrate the championship experience that has defined their remarkable 12-title run over 13 seasons. Devlin's 22nd-minute penalty strike down the middle proved decisive, with the player explaining his calculated approach: "It was a big moment in the game and it needed to go in, so I didn't want to put it in the corner and the keeper has a chance if diving. I just thought I wanted to hit it hard."

Carryduff, making their first final appearance since losing to Kilcoo in the 2020 decider, mounted a second-half rally but ultimately fell short of claiming what would have been their inaugural Frank O'Hare Cup. The South Belfast club had powered past Burren in the semi-final with their full contingent available, but couldn't overcome Kilcoo's championship pedigree despite showing improved form from their previous final appearance five years earlier.

Devlin expressed satisfaction with the victory amid external skepticism, noting "it's nice to see that people want Kilcoo to fall" while emphasizing the team's resilience. "This one is sweet with how the game played out and the build-up where we were doubted in this year's championship," he told BBC Sport NI. "It just shows the character of this team. Big teams play well in big games and we have that experience to put in those big performances." The win solidifies Kilcoo's status as the dominant force in Down football, achieving a landmark that had eluded them when Burren denied their seventh consecutive title bid in 2018.