Pensions, motorists and workers: The tax targets Rachel Reeves is eyeing up Economics If there is one thing that is clear three weeks out from the Autumn Budget, it is that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hike taxes. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which scores the economic impacts of the government’s policies and publishes forecasts on public finances, has been questioned for being over optimistic on measures such [...]
Abramovich hits out at UK government over frozen £2.3bn Chelsea proceeds Sport Business Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has criticised the government over moves that have “paralysed” his £2.3bn windfall from the sale of the Premier League club. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian billionaire sold the Stamford Bridge club to a consortium fronted by American Todd Boehly, with the proceeds placed in a frozen bank account [...]
FCA boss sounds alarm financial system resilience Regulation The boss of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has sounded the alarm on Britain’s resilience against escalating geopolitical tensions, warning the country’s financial system is not sufficiently prepared the confluence of escalating security threats it faces. In a speech calling for finance to be put at the heart of the UK’s defence strategy, Nikhil Rathi [...]
UK needs a minister for drones to prepare for modern warfare October 21, 2025 As autonomous warfare spending edges towards a quarter of the MoD’s budget, it makes sense to appoint a dedicated minister for drones.
Why Latvia is the next best place to develop UK defence tech – and what else it has to offer October 14, 2025 When UK companies think of expanding into continental Europe, the usual suspects come first: Germany, the Netherlands, Poland. But there is a quieter yet compelling option that deserves a spot on the shortlist: Latvia. Thanks to its digital infrastructure, defence innovation ecosystem, and strategic location between Northern and Eastern Europe, Latvia offers a uniquely advantageous [...]
Versace: UK sales slashed again as profit almost wiped out October 14, 2025 Sales at the UK arm of fashion house Versace have been slashed by a fifth for a second consecutive year as the downturn in luxury spending continues. The division has reported a turnover of £15.2m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House have revealed. The latest total is [...]
Bank of England’s Mann: Higher interest rates will lower inflation fears October 9, 2025 The Bank of England has said that households’ fears of high inflation levels could be tempered by keeping interest rates for longer. In an event hosted by the think tank Resolution Foundation, Mann doubled down on her calls for the Bank to squeeze out inflation pressures in order to ease household nerves of higher prices [...]
Explainer: Why are energy prices so high? October 2, 2025 Energy prices for consumers across the UK rose again this month. Ofgem, the energy regulator, set the maximum annual rate for an average household for gas and electricity at £1,755 until the end of the year. The cap is now over £600 higher than when it was first introduced in 2019. Under the cap, [...]
Capitulation clearing Russia and Putin’s path to LA 2028 Olympics October 2, 2025 Vladimir Putin’s path to Los Angeles 2028 is being cleared, his war on Ukraine becoming normalised in the minds of the world’s sports administrators. Last week’s votes by the International Paralympic Committee to readmit Russia and Belarus are, to my mind, a shameful capitulation and represent a triumph for the warmonger. All eyes now on [...]
Hawks vs Doves: Bank of England’s MPC will hold interest rates – but expect dissent September 17, 2025 In the last year, the Bank of England has cut interest rates five times on the expectation that price rises were easing in the UK. When inflation hit a 41-year high of 11.1 per cent in October 2022, policymakers at the Bank warned that its fight to battle inflation was “sacrosanct”. The relentless spiralling of [...]