The water industry needs investment, not confiscation Opinion Renationalising Thames Water will deter the investment Britain needs to grow, says Lord Johnson Andy Burnham enters Downing Street with lofty, and in many ways admirable, ambitions to generate prosperity in the regions. But his plans will come to naught if he cannot first find economic growth – and the outlook is bleak. The IMF [...]
Burnham promises to ‘build new economy’ Politics Andy Burnham has said he will “build a new economy” during his tenure as Prime Minister, promising a raft of measures to help households with the cost of living will be announced as soon as tomorrow. Speaking on the steps of Downing Street, the new Labour leader said his government would put “life’s essentials back [...]
‘Pro-business’ Burnham eyes Reynolds return to top business job Business Andy Burnham is planning to bring Jonathan Reynolds back as business secretary as the incoming prime minister moves to deliver on his pledge to lead a “pro-business” government. Reynolds, who served as business secretary until last September before becoming chief whip, is expected to return to the department when Burnham unveils his cabinet this week, [...]
Octopus tells Burnham to ‘cut bills’ with £189 energy plan July 18, 2026 Octopus Energy has urged incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to overhaul Britain’s electricity market, saying the changes could cut the average household bill by up to £189 a year. The supplier said reforming wholesale electricity pricing would save households around £114 a year, and also called for energy levies to be moved from electricity bills [...]
First Trust Global Portfolios Management Limited Announces Distribution for certain sub-funds of First Trust Global Funds ICAV July 14, 2026 First Trust Global Portfolios Management Limited (“FTGPM”) announces the declaration of the monthly distribution for First Trust Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income UCITS ETF (the “Fund”). ISIN Fund Name Frequency Dividend per Share IE000SNMGYT5 First Trust Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income UCITS ETF Class B Monthly $0.1472 (USD) The Fund’s investment [...]
Industry bodies call on Burnham to bring down energy bills to fire up growth July 14, 2026 Andy Burnham’s government must slash green levies on companies’ energy bills and bring forward support for energy-intensive industries if it wants to fire up Britain’s economy and win over a sceptical private sector, two of Britain’s largest industry bodies have said. In a joint report published today, the CBI and Energy UK called on the [...]
Financial services activity ‘drops rapidly’ as investors alarmed by Burnham July 6, 2026 Business activity across the financial services sector – one of the chief drivers of economic growth across the UK – has dropped sharply as confidence slumps, according to a new survey. Financial services firms, including banks and insurers, said business volumes had nosedived in the second quarter of the year. While the net reading for [...]
Burnham’s high street tax plan carries £880m price tag July 6, 2026 Andy Burnham’s plans to overhaul business rates in favour of Britain’s high streets could cost around £880m a year, according to new analysis, as questions mount over how the Labour leadership frontrunner would pay for one of his first major tax reforms. Forecasts by global tax firm Ryan suggest Burnham’s proposal to expand Small Business [...]
Fractured politics has its upsides – trust me, I led Vote Leave June 30, 2026 For all the challenges of multi-party politics, the policy competition it encourages is already bearing fruit, writes former Vote Leave chief Matthew Elliott.
Whoever’s our next PM, please let the City help you June 28, 2026 No matter who inhabits 10 and 11 Downing Street, the City Corporation is ready to help drive growth, writes Chris Hayward.