New HS2 budget to blow £33bn hole in public finances May 21, 2026 The government will need to find as much as £33bn in additional cash from tax and spending measures or from other departments to fund its revamped plans to deliver HS2. According to a City AM analysis, the Department for Transport’s updated proposals for the rail line require between £18bn and £33bn of additional public money [...]
Golf ‘faces questions over financial viability’ following LIV setback May 21, 2026 LIV Golf’s struggles raise questions about the long-term viability of the sport, according to a new independent report on the business of golf. The breakaway tour’s huge financial incentives disrupted golf and forced the PGA Tour to raise its prize money but LIV now faces an uncertain future after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced [...]
London leads European investment despite wider UK decline May 21, 2026 London retained its crown as the most attractive destination in Europe for foreign direct investment last year, despite a fall in UK projects and overall numbers across the continent tumbling. Greater London outperformed both the wider UK and Europe by recording a five per cent year on year increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects [...]
Investment firms anticipate surge in renewable energy spending May 21, 2026 UK investment firms are expecting a sharp surge in financing for renewable energy projects once an end to the conflict in the Middle East is reached, after it triggered one of the worst rises in oil and gas prices in years. Over 85 per cent of firms, accounting for roughly £5.5 trillion in assets under [...]
Over half of house moves fall through after an offer is accepted – costing £2bn per year May 21, 2026 More than half of UK house moves fall through after an offer has been accepted, costing the UK £2bn every year in wasted time and fees. Failed house moves could cost the economy £1.97bn per year because around 1.2m residential transactions occur each year and the average fall-through costs buyers and sellers £2,830 in legal [...]
City of London Nocturne return to see fan zone bonanza May 20, 2026 Britain’s biggest festival might take place in a field in Somerset, but we are proud to be bringing the festival atmosphere to the heart of the capital with the return of the City of London Nocturne. Cycling fans get the chance to see some of the world’s best on two wheels in action, but even [...]
Top Bank of England officials warn Reeves against supermarket price cap May 20, 2026 Senior Bank of England officials have warned that price controls on essential goods are not an effective long-term tool to lower the cost of living, after it emerged the Treasury was pushing supermarkets to commit to cap prices of consumer staples. Speaking at a Treasury Committee appearance, governor Andrew Bailey told MPs that controlling the [...]
Nvidia must ‘step up to the plate’ after $1.5 trillion rally May 20, 2026 The world’s most valuable listed company is expected to report another surge in sales and profits after the US market closes, with Wall Street forecasting quarterly revenue approaching $79bn (£58.9bn). But investors are increasingly questioning how long Nvidia can sustain growth at its current pace after the stock added more than $1.5tn in market value [...]
Wes Streeting urges Labour to help youth ‘as an emergency’ May 20, 2026 Wes Streeting has called on the government to support young people “as an emergency” in a resignation speech that accused Sir Keir Starmer of leading a losing battle against Reform UK. Streeting said he supported Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ economic agenda before the Iran war broke out and upended policy-making, though he suggested the Labour leadership [...]
Fintech boss defends sacking entire HR department for ‘creating problems that didn’t exist’ May 20, 2026 US fintech Bolt has become the latest company to openly link job cuts and restructuring to AI, after chief executive Ryan Breslow defended scrapping the firm’s HR department during a recent round of layoffs. Speaking at a Fortune event Breslow said Bolt’s HR function had become counterproductive as the company attempted to streamline operations. “We [...]