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 [...]
Burnham sparks Brexit row over return to EU free movement October 25, 2026 Andy Burnham has been accused of “betraying Brexit Britain” and threatening to hand control of the country’s borders back to Brussels after suggesting the UK could restore freedom of movement with the European Union. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the remarks a betrayal of voters, while the Conservatives vowed to oppose any attempt to [...]
Fashion in Formula 1: How the paddock became global catwalk October 25, 2026 The world of fashion has so often been seen as belonging to a select few outposts in London, Milan, Paris and New York. But in 2026 it now belongs, at least in part, to sport. That’s not to say Roman Abramovich is buying Vogue or the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund ponders whether to back [...]
Fifa’s disciplinary rules have changed: What clubs, players and agents need to know now October 24, 2026 Amendments to Fifa’s Disciplinary Code from January 2027 have attracted attention, but most of the changes have already been binding for almost six months. The May 2026 edition of the Code introduced changes affecting clubs, players, agents and their advisers, while January will introduce further changes around domestic enforcement. The immediate exposure Deadlines are one [...]
Healey vows AI will not ‘leave workers behind’ in £600m Budget package October 24, 2026 John Healey has vowed not to let AI “leave workers behind” as he unveiled more than £600m in investment ahead of next week’s Budget, amid mounting concerns over AI-driven job losses. The Treasury will commit £10m a year to studying the impact of AI on employment, alongside hundreds of millions of pounds for cyber security, [...]
Top court rejects Tesco appeal in ‘equal pay’ case October 23, 2026 The Supreme Court has blocked Tesco from appealing a key ruling in a long-running equal pay claim brought by more than 16,000 shop workers. Tesco is one of several UK supermarkets caught in a legal battle over allegations that it underpays its store workers, mainly women, compared with distribution centre workers, who are mostly men. [...]
Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust narrowly defeats Saba’s third oust attempt October 23, 2026 Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust has survived the third attempt by activist hedge fund Saba Capital to oust its board. Shareholders quashed the efforts of the Boaz Weinstein-run fund to take control of the £1.1bn investment trust by a narrow margin, with 52.8 per cent voting against Saba’s resolution to appoint three of its nominees [...]