The Debate: Should annual leave be enforced at Christmas? December 17, 2025 Should it be mandatory to take annual leave at Christmas? We put two office workers head to head in this week's Debate.
Arrogant Labour has played fast and loose with the jobs market December 17, 2025 As the first full calendar year of life under this Labour government comes to a close, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on how they’ve done and how their promises to renew Britain marry up with reality. How can I put this delicately? Ministers should slope off to their constituencies this Christmas with their heads [...]
The FCA must investigate Budget leaks December 17, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority must launch a full, independent investigation into potential market abuse by the Treasury ahead of the Budget, says Blake Stephenson Markets rely on trust, clarity, and the even‑handed release of information. When those principles are compromised, confidence falters. That is why the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must launch a full, independent [...]
Business should be grateful for the House of Lords December 17, 2025 Few would argue for our current constitutional arrangement if it didn’t already exist, but right now the House of Lords is doing an important job challenging the government from the right, says Emma Revell Standing in the middle of the City of London, you often feel like you’re part of a Britain that’s racing into [...]
Switzerland has rejected wealth taxes: Westminster should take note December 17, 2025 Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 50 per cent inheritance tax, proving that individuals in a democracy understand that confidence in a jurisdiction can evaporate quickly, says Tim Focas Swiss voters have issued one of the clearest democratic verdicts on wealth and capital in recent memory. Last month, more than eight in ten rejected [...]
Why your next marketing crisis is going to be self-inflicted December 16, 2025 Most 2026 plans ignore marketing’s geopolitical exposure, the aggressive monetization of platforms, and the erosion of trust, requiring leaders to shift from chasing reach and automation to strategic discipline, internal alignment, and building direct customer relationships, says Paul Armstrong Most 2026 marketing plans are already built on assumptions that no longer hold, not because the [...]
The secret to Reform’s rise? They don’t put their out of offices on December 16, 2025 Reform used the summer holiday vacuum to further their cause, and it's made all the difference, writes Michael Martins in today's Notebook.
The City is thirsty for more detail from Reform December 16, 2025 Appearing before MPs yesterday, Keir Starmer bemoaned the “consultations, regulations [and] arms-length bodies” that create “a thicket of reasons why you can’t do something.” He was responding to a question from Dame Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the committee in front of which he was appearing, about whether he had prepared enough for [...]
Why leaking can make for good government December 16, 2025 Mic-drop moments does not a good government make, says Alastair McCapra. He makes the case for political leaking.
British pessimism is stalling growth December 16, 2025 British leaders are now the least optimistic cohort internationally, and it's having a real-world impact on growth, writes David Stevens.