Challenger banks face ‘profitability trap’ at growth crossroads September 8, 2025 The UK banking sector faces a profitability roadblock that will give the industry’s challengers an “existential” turning point. Fresh data from KPMG suggests the industry’s average return on equity will fall to eight per cent come 2027 down from 13 per cent four years prior. This is set to spark an £11bn reduction in pre-tax [...]
UK should be the destination of choice for Asia-based investors September 8, 2025 A new sun is rising in our relationship with our Asian partners. My message to them is clear: whatever you want to do, London can help you, writes Alastair King.
The last harvest? How tax changes are impacting British farming September 8, 2025 Britain's food security hangs in the balance as agricultural land is lost to pay inheritance tax bills, writes Sarah Jordan.
London hiring slumps as employers suffer from rising costs September 8, 2025 London hiring has continued its steep decline as employers suffer the consequences of Reeves’ tax raid and rising costs. The latest jobs report from KPMG and the REC showed demand for workers in the capital has “continued to deteriorate” with both permanent placements and temp billings slumping further. Permanent staff places, hires with no fixed [...]
Cross-party politicians urges Starmer to prioritise audit watchdog reform September 8, 2025 The Prime Minister has been urged by 66 MPs and Lords in a cross-party alliance to prioritise the long-overdue Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill that was promised last year. In the King’s Speech in July 2024, the newly elected Labour government unshelved the Bill that would reform the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) into a [...]
Healey says Rayner ‘not a victim’ amid Labour reshuffle discontent September 7, 2025 Angela Rayner is “not a victim” and “any government is stronger” with her, a Cabinet minister has said after a reshuffle following her resignation saw tensions flare within Labour. Defence Secretary John Healey defended Sir Keir Starmer’s “clear, swift, fair action” following his former deputy’s admission that she mistakenly underpaid stamp duty on a seaside [...]
PM ‘to move asylum seekers into barracks’ after Home Office shake-up September 7, 2025 Shabana Mahmood is expected to unveil plans to move asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks as the Government seeks to harden its immigration policy amid rising numbers of crossings in the Channel. The newly appointed Home Secretary is reportedly set to announce the use of Ministry of Defence sites to house people after a [...]
M&S calls for rethink on inheritance tax amid government reshuffle September 7, 2025 M&S have called on new environment secretary Emma Reynolds to back British farmers by rethinking proposed changes to inheritance tax relief for farmers. The decision to end a decades-old inheritance tax relief – known as Agricultural Property Relief – that allowed farmland to be transferred down a generation tax-free has sparked a serious backlash in [...]
Ex-FA chief Alex Horne: Club game, regulator and football finance September 7, 2025 Since September began the world of football has continued to offer talking point after talking point. The Premier League transfer window closed to bring the curtain down on a summer splurge which topped £3bn for the first time; the Independent Football Regulator published its first piece of official policy ahead of its November detachment from [...]
Defence training to be ramped up to ‘wartime pace’ in new strategy September 6, 2025 Defence training will be ramped up to a “wartime pace” in a new education drive aimed at growing the UK’s skilled workforce, the Government has said. Under the plans, five new “technical excellence colleges” will be set up across the country as well as targeted short courses and Stem schemes for school students to pursue [...]