Inflation expectations softer than predicted ahead of interest rate decision September 4, 2026 Firms intend to raise prices over the next year on average at a lower rate than many economists have expected, Bank of England research has shown, easing concerns that the UK economy is heading for a deeper cost of living crisis. The Decision Makers’ Panel, a Bank survey of how far firms plan to raise [...]
Gloomy outlook: Royal Parks charity bans ‘Optimism Picnic’ in Hyde Park September 4, 2026 The Royal Parks charity has insisted an ‘Optimism Picnic’ planned by the co-founder of the economic campaign group Looking For Growth cannot go ahead in Hyde Park. Now, the outlook for this picnic looks more pessimistic, on what is already set to be an overcast afternoon following a morning of intermittent heavy rain. The slapdown [...]
Don’t underestimate the free trade agreement Britain just joined September 4, 2026 The UK’s entry into the CPTPP, the world's largest free trade area that does not include the US, EU or China, should not be underestimated.
Andrew Bailey: Populism a threat to global economy September 4, 2026 The groundswell of populist politics threatens to undermine central banks’ independence and hamper their ability to protect the long-term interests of the global economy, Andrew Bailey has warned. In a speech in London, the Bank of England governor accused populist parties of trying to exert increasing levels of influence over monetary authorities the world over, [...]
Strauss becomes first dedicated Champions League referee sponsor September 4, 2026 Champions League referees will sport sleeve patches advertising workwear brand Strauss after the German company became Uefa’s first ever refereeing sponsor. The three-year deal, announced today, will take effect when the competition’s league phase, involving Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, begins next week. The Strauss partnership also covers the Women’s Champions [...]
London-listed oil driller suffers sharp sell-off over Milei Falklands threats September 4, 2026 Rockhopper, an London-listed oil exploration firm, is battling to slow an investor sell-off after Argentina’s president vowed to sanction any oil companies working near the Falkland Islands. In a national address, Javier Milei emphasised Argentina’s claim over the British territory and promised to sanction any oil companies working there as part of the “British occupation”. [...]
Ghost Ship brewer Adnams cuts staff after ‘challenging’ trading September 4, 2026 Adnams, the brewer of Ghost Ship ale, has resorted to letting go of staff as it takes emergency measures to face up to “challenging” trading conditions. The Suffolk-based brewer and pub owner told shareholders it has kicked off “a series of operational, commercial and labour management initiatives” after facing worse-than-expected sales at the start of [...]
‘If that isn’t a business interest, I don’t know what is’ – Reform in donor sting crisis September 4, 2026 Two senior Reform UK figures have stepped down after an undercover investigation appeared to show them arranging a donor to pay for polling in a potential breach of electoral law. Reform’s head of policy James Orr and Dan Jukes, a top aide to Nigel Farage, stood down pending the result of an internal probe that [...]
Prem Rugby needs a draft, but not one for the very best players September 4, 2026 Top flight domestic rugby is back this weekend in the form of the Prem Rugby Cup – the former Anglo-Welsh, British and Irish, and inter-Prem/Champ competition that is now just a little bit of a nothing league. But that’s for another day. Because the return of rugby in England feels underhyped. We’ve had an entire [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 wavers as weak housebuilding drives faster construction downturn September 4, 2026 Welcome back to City AM‘s FTSE 100 liveblog. The UK’s blue chip index made a soft start on Friday morning, as investors brace for a US jobs report and digest the latest signs of a worsening downturn in the UK’s construction sector. Borrowing costs have eased slightly, after a global rout on government bonds threatened [...]