Water sector needs ‘root-and-branch’ reform, MPs say June 16, 2025 The water sector is in need of “root-and-branch reform”, a committee of MPs has said as it called for “much more regulated management” of bonuses for senior bosses. The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has said that the industry is “failing”, but that water companies are “deaf to the crisis” that it is [...]
UK government advises against all travel to Israel amid Iran conflict June 15, 2025 Britons are being told not to travel to Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated travel advice on Sunday to advise “against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories”. David Lammy has said that the safety of British nationals “remains our top priority”. Israel and Iran [...]
‘You’ll have to wait and see’: Reeves’ deputy can’t rule out autumn tax rises June 15, 2025 Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones refused to rule out further tax hikes in the autumn budget on Sunday. Asked on GB News whether he would rule out tax rises later this year, Jones said “that will be subject to the OBR forecasts… it’s right that we take these types of decision in an orderly way.” [...]
Macquarie nears deal for slice of London City, Birmingham and Bristol Airport June 15, 2025 Macquarie is close to a multibillion pound deal for stakes in London City, Birmingham and Bristol Airport. The Australian infrastructure investor is this weekend finalising terms with the Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), according to the Sunday Times. OTPP owns 25 per cent stake of London City, 27 per cent of Birmingham [...]
Starmer accused of U-turn after ordering inquiry into grooming gangs June 15, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of a U-turn after committing to a statutory inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. After resisting pressure for months to implement a full probe, the Prime Minister said he had read “every single word” of an independent report into child sexual exploitation by Baroness Louise Casey and would accept her recommendation [...]
Bank of England expected to hold rates at 4.25 per cent June 15, 2025 The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates at 4.25 per cent after inflation jumped in April and policymakers remain “nimble” to the evolving economic backdrop. Most economists think the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will opt to keep rates on hold when it meets on Thursday. The MPC has voted to cut [...]
Is a franchise model the only way to save rugby union? June 15, 2025 Despite various approaches to the same question as to whether rugby can find a stable commercial footing, various rugby factions seem to be coming to the same conclusion: are franchises the answer? Franchise sport can be hit and miss; in the US NFL and NBA franchises are seeing valuations north of $5bn. In the Indian [...]
Reeves to lay out 10-year infrastructure plan worth £725bn June 15, 2025 Chancellor Reeves is set to deliver a 10-year infrastructure strategy plan which will lay out efforts to boost growth and upgrade services across the UK. The new blueprint for UK infrastructure will come around a week after Reeves delivered the Spending Review, which marked out £190bn in extra government spending commitments for the years between [...]
UK investigators arrive in India for plane crash June 14, 2025 UK air accident investigators have arrived in India as tributes continue to pour in for victims of the Air India plane crash. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday in what is one of the deadliest plane accidents in terms of the number of British nationals killed. The aircraft struck a medical [...]
Zelensky warns oil price surge could help Russia’s war efforts June 14, 2025 A sharp rise in global oil prices after Israeli strikes on Iran will benefit Russia and bolster its military capabilities in the war in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The Ukrainian president told journalists in Kyiv that the surge in oil prices threatens Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, especially because western allies have not enforced [...]