The major Budget questions facing John Healey in four charts October 26, 2026 John Healey faces several tests in delivering a Budget that keeps the UK economy on course to grow. Mauricio Alencar looks at the questions he will have to answer at the despatch box. Investors are heading into the upcoming Budget with a lot of unknowns. John Healey faces a test in balancing expectations between different [...]
Monkey Shoulder is winning over a new generation of whisky drinkers October 26, 2026 The slow burn success of this playful malt has inspired a bevvy of rival brands to enter the category. But Monkey Shoulder’s fans are not drinking it because it’s a blended malt. For many it is just a cool, lifestyle brand discovers Tom Bruce-Gardyne. That cheeky, fun-loving malt from William Grant & Sons, known as Monkey [...]
Rolls-Royce, Babcock shares jump on Healey’s defence borrowing plan October 26, 2026 Defence stocks were handed a boost on Monday morning following reports that Chancellor John Healey was set to borrow billions to invest in the military at the forthcoming Budget. Rolls-Royce was up nearly two per cent in early trading to 1,184.40p, while Melrose was up 1.4 per cent. Both are key players in aerospace and [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 up on defence boost; oil falls back as Trump weighs Iran deal October 26, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 live blog. The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a major rally on the back of booming defence stocks ahead of an expected investment from the government at the forthcoming Budget. This is also coming alongside a modest relax in oil prices on new diplomatic hopes in the Middle [...]
Budget 2026: Will Chancellor help or hinder football finances? October 26, 2026 While the Autumn Budget always prompts speculation in finance, hospitality or retail, its impact on football should not be underestimated. Clubs are still reckoning with the impact of the previous new measures in recent Budget announcements, with even more shortly on their way. At a time when the books of England’s biggest clubs are under [...]
Healey pledges £1bn for social housing as housebuilding slump threatens Labour target October 26, 2026 John Healey has pledged more than £1bn in additional funding for social and affordable housing as new figures reveal a sharp fall in housebuilding, raising fresh doubts over the government’s target of delivering 1.5m homes. The funding, due to be confirmed in Wednesday’s Budget, will take the government’s 10-year social and affordable housing programme beyond [...]
Oxford Street goes traffic-free as Sadiq Khan launches pedestrianisation October 26, 2026 Oxford Street has become permanently traffic-free for the first time as London mayor Sadiq Khan presses ahead with a major overhaul of the capital’s busiest shopping district ahead of Christmas. Almost a kilometre of the famous shopping street, between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street, has closed to vehicles from Monday, ending decades [...]
Google, OpenAI and Anthropic back £100m UK AI biosecurity lab October 25, 2026 Google Deepmind, OpenAI and Anthropic are backing a new £100m British AI biosecurity laboratory as the government unveils more than £600m in funding to tackle emerging technological threats. The lab will use AI to detect and monitor biological threats, bringing together some of the world’s largest AI developers as ministers seek to strengthen Britain’s defences. [...]
Healey to unveil billions in defence spending as Tories demand he resign October 25, 2026 John Healey is set to announce billions of pounds in new defence investment in Wednesday’s Budget as the Conservatives demand he resign unless he commits to spending three per cent of GDP on the military by 2030. The chancellor is expected to channel additional funding through the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank, backing [...]
Healey’s startup adviser quits ahead of Budget over ‘sideshow’ treatment of entrepreneurs October 25, 2026 The Treasury’s entrepreneurship adviser is stepping down after accusing ministers of treating Britain’s fastest-growing companies as a “sideshow” while directing taxpayer money towards traditional industries. Alex Depledge, appointed by former chancellor Rachel Reeves in June 2025, will leave the role on Thursday, a day after John Healey delivers his first Budget. “Keeping scale-ups on the [...]