Is Budget speculation a bad thing? November 20, 2025 Testing measures before the big day can be helpful, but the upcoming Budget has been a feeding frenzy, making it impossible to distinguish fan fiction from genuine policy, says Tim Sarson The Autumn Budget speculation season has become rather a circus. I thought last year was unusually long and noisy but 2025 takes things to [...]
Unpopular opinion: Banks are taxed enough already November 20, 2025 Is Angela Rayner influencing the Budget from beyond the political grave? The former deputy PM and housing secretary was famously in favour of increasing the additional tax burden faced by banks. Ahead of this year’s Spring Statement, Rayner was riding high. With a confidence that turned out to be misplaced, she inserted herself into debates [...]
Our savings are lazy – the Budget must put them to work November 20, 2025 Rachel Reeves should cut the cash ISA limit and redirect savings into British equities, says Steven Fine The old saying in finance is that “money never sleeps”: but a lot of ours is lazy. Today Britain sits on nearly a trillion pounds of ISA savings, yet too little is being put to work in our [...]
In Ponzi scheme Britain, parenthood is a luxury November 20, 2025 The promise that if you work hard, you will be able to own a home and raise a family is breaking down in real time, says new dad Simon Clarke I am about to do something that an uncomfortable number of British men cannot: become a Dad again. A little boy, since you ask. It [...]
It’s time to take a chainsaw to red tape November 19, 2025 Britain’s regulatory state is about the only thing that’s growing under this Labour government, says Andrew Griffith As business now know, words are cheap – it’s actions that count. Rachel Reeves has spoken at length about her drive to deregulate the city, from her Mansion House speech in the summer to a recent deregulatory launch. [...]
Britain’s business spirit still alive at Global Entrepreneurship Week November 19, 2025 There is more to be done to smooth the path for future founders, but Britain should be proud of its strong pool of entrepreneurs, writes Timothy Barnes.
The Debate: Should you use AI for financial guidance? November 19, 2025 Many Brits have turned to AI chatbots for financial guidance, but should they? We get two experts to go head to head in this week's Debate.
My advice for Rachel Reeves? Learn how to spin a yarn November 19, 2025 Economic history shows us the importance of a narrative. If Rachel Reeves wants to help the economy, she needs to learn how to tell a story.
Scotland’s bond gambit is a political game of kilts vs gilts November 19, 2025 The SNP’s plan to issue quasi-sovereign bonds is little more than a political gesture that will ultimately push up the price of borrowing, says Tim Focas The Scottish government’s plan to issue its first-ever £1.5bn of quasi-sovereign bonds, known as “kilts”, is being pitched as a confident stride towards financial maturity. In reality, it looks [...]
Markets will determine whether Reeves has any credibility left November 19, 2025 It’s a regrettable reality that a politician – or an entire government – can limp on for months or even years after losing credibility in the eyes of voters. In contrast, when markets think the credibility is gone the consequences can be much more immediate. Just ask Liz Truss. One week from today, the Chancellor’s [...]