We have to get serious about major spending cuts October 16, 2025 Speculation over the contents of next month’s Budget has reached fever pitch, and it’s only going to ramp up from here. This is not idle curiosity; with businesses still adapting to the confidence-sapping and job-smothering fallout from last year’s Budget, there is now a genuine fear that what remains of our economic resilience could be [...]
The Debate: Should we abolish stamp duty for primary homes? October 15, 2025 Kemi Badenoch's promise to abolish stamp duty was met with cheers by the Conservatives, but is it actually a good idea?
Stop coddling your staff! Good bosses spar with their employees October 15, 2025 When bosses prioritise politeness over honest exchange, they sacrifice the development of their employees, writes Dr Christian Marcolli.
China spy scandal shows there’s no national security without economic sovereignty October 15, 2025 The government has made clear it thinks Beijing’s cash is more important that our own laws, there is another choice, says Tom Tugendhat The collapse of the China spy case says more about Britain than China, and more about our economy than any Treasury forecast. The government has made clear they think we have no [...]
Farage’s crypto fantasies are a risk British taxpayers can’t afford to take October 15, 2025 Nigel Farage’s proposed crypto policies — including a £5bn national bitcoin reserve, a flat 10 per cent crypto tax, and rejection of a digital pound — are bold in rhetoric but economically reckless, risking public funds on volatile assets and undermining fiscal stability, says Tim Focas Nigel Farage has taken to the stage at the [...]
Family farm and business tax could cost £14.8bn in lost GVA October 15, 2025 The government should rethink its damaging tax raid on family farms and businesses, says Neil Davy UK MPs have returned to Westminster with fresh policy positions and new priorities ringing in their ears. As they do so, the fallout from one of last year’s most contentious policy announcements, the family business and farm tax, should [...]
Self-inflicted damage makes mockery of government growth pledge October 15, 2025 Back in June, before Donald Trump orchestrated a tentative peace in the Middle East, he reacted with fury to Israel and Iran’s escalating exchange of missile and drone attacks, telling reporters “they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.” Sometimes undiplomatic language has its place, even in high-stakes diplomacy. I was reminded of this approach [...]
Is your tech strategy good, or just AI theatre? October 15, 2025 Artificial intelligence has become the business world’s favourite performance recently. FTSE 100 earnings calls now mention AI more than inflation, and investor briefings increasingly resemble tech expos. Analysts report that AI references in UK company filings have tripled in the past year, yet the results aren’t matching the rhetoric. Markets are beginning to glance sideways. [...]
Obituary: Ian Barbour, Capital Access Group COO and City gent October 14, 2025 Ian Barbour, who died unexpectedly last week at the age of 60, was a rare example of a true old-school City gent.
Whisper it: British manufacturing has been a quiet Brexit success story October 14, 2025 It’s time Brexit Britain created a trade policy that focuses on its competitive advantages, says Daniel Dieppe Brexit was never meant to be an economic success. At least, according to the Treasury estimates, which predicted a year-long recession, a 500,000 increase in unemployment and a reduction in growth between three and six per cent. Yet [...]