Ministers could cut the number of official bodies that get a say on planning Politics Ministers could slash the number of official bodies that get a say in planning decisions in a drive to cut red tape. Officials will consult on removing sport England, the theatres trust and the garden history society from the list of “statutory consultees”, while the scope of others who get to give input is set [...]
IWD 2025: The biggest fights ever in women’s boxing Sport In a move designed to coincide with International Women’s Day this weekend, the Royal Albert Hall is staging a night of all-female boxing headlined by the unification bout between Britons Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price on Friday. For one night only, the grand London venue best known for staging the Proms will be filled with [...]
The capital of Cambodia is underrated – but it’s as good as Bangkok Life&Style It’s the last day of Khmer New Year as I disembark my vessel, step off the Mekong River and into the sweaty clutches of Phnom Penh. Cambodia’s capital is a playful cityscape of concrete and glass, reflecting the vast economic boom the country has experienced over the last decade, not to mention its strong ties [...]
Spring Statement 2025: Rachel Reeves should be courageous and favour economics over ideology, says Interactive Investor boss March 3, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to be “quite courageous” and not “allow ideology to get in the way of economics” when she delivers her Spring Statement on 26 March, the chief executive of Interactive Investor has said. Richard Wilson, speaking on an up-coming episode of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered podcast, added that the government’s growth agenda [...]
Finca Cortesin in the Costa del Sol: Golf meets five star luxury February 24, 2025 Anyone who has visited southern Spain will know there is much more to the region than the tackier excesses of the Costa del Sol. For culture there is Moorish-steeped Malaga; Mijas and Estepona retain traditional white-washed Andalusian charm; while even Marbella has an enchanting old town a world away from the beach clubs. Like the [...]
New towns: Why Starmer needs to avoid being a cowboy builder… February 18, 2025 Promises can be a tricky thing in politics. Just look at the flack Nick Clegg received for pledging to scrap tuition fees, and then, well, not. Similarly, putting Partygate aside, I suspect Boris Johnson isn’t exactly fondly remembered as PM by those voters living in areas promised one of his 40 new hospitals. While some [...]
Mad About The Boy: Bridget Jones review – perfectly timed with hun culture February 12, 2025 Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy review: the return of the UK’s favourite singleton couldn’t have hit the cultural zeitgeist better. In a new era of feminism, Bridget finally should be embraced by us all, whether we relate to her or not, says Adam Bloodworth ★★★★ Ah, Bridget Jones and her absolutely enormous panties! The [...]
‘I’m still going to leave’: Reeves’ non-dom concession is not enough for London’s super rich January 27, 2025 Amid an exodus of the country’s millionaires and billionaires, the government is revisiting its reforms to the non-dom regime. But the recent changes floated by the Chancellor have been given short shrift by non-doms and their advisers. Ali Lyon explores what might actually stem the departures of the UK’s wealthy foreigners. In the clandestine and [...]
Kiki McDonough: Business lessons from 40 years as a royal jeweller January 14, 2025 Royal jeweller Kiki McDonough has made a name for herself in fine jewellery over the last 40 years. She shares her business lessons in today's Notebook.
25 amazing Dry January events in London where going alcohol free needn’t be boring January 3, 2025 Dry January is often a sombre affair, where abstinence is the order of the day. But London’s bars, restaurants and events organisers seem to be taking a different tack this year: many are spreading the message that going alcohol free needn’t mean losing out on having fun. The message is that alcohol free drinks can [...]