Abolish regressive, outdated stamp duty November 3, 2025 Stamp duty abolition isn’t just desirable it’s an economic necessity, says Alex Michelin Ask any first-time buyer, young family or downsizing pensioner what’s stopping them from moving home and you’ll hear the same answer: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This once marginal transaction cost has evolved into a structural impediment to the UK housing market, [...]
Is Nigel Farage right about Bank of England independence? November 3, 2025 Nigel Farage’s economic policies are neurasthenically inconsistent, but he has opened the door to a debate we need to have about whether Gordon Brown’s settlement for the Bank of England is fit for purpose, says Eliot Wilson Nigel Farage is a practised veteran at grabbing the headlines with a provocative-sounding but ultimately empty remark. Speaking [...]
Lord Mayor: my end of term report November 3, 2025 The Mansion House Accord will be remembered as the showpiece of this mayoralty, but there is much else to be proud of, says Alastair King as his term draws to a close In my speech at the annual City regulators’ dinner a fortnight ago, I promised not to assume the role of the schoolmaster – [...]
London should be the engine that saves us from decline November 3, 2025 We should be proud of our great city, but also clear-eyed about its failings on housing, crime and the cost of living, says Lawrence Newport London is like nowhere else on earth. As Matt Clifford said last week at Looking For Growth’s event Make or Break, London is the city that birthed the electrical age, [...]
British taxpayers are picking up the tab for Ireland’s policy failures October 31, 2025 Ireland is squandering the benefits of its low-tax status by undermining American security interests. That’s a warning to Britain, says Ticiana Alencar Politicians and media often speak with confidence about the benefits of our ‘special relationship’ with the USA. Ireland has long counted on similar cultural ties– but, through their economic and foreign policy decisions, [...]
Labour’s evidence-free approach to policy is baffling October 31, 2025 Keir Starmer is often criticised for lacking an ideology, but his actions suggest a pathological belief in in restricting personal freedoms, impoverishing strivers and narrowing horizons of young people. Or socialism, for short, says James Price A catchphrase I’m fond of reciting is that the best way to make God laugh is to tell Him [...]
Forvis Mazars tax partner: I’m confident we can handle the next 12 months October 30, 2025 Raj Bhundia, tax partner at Forvis Mazars, takes us through his career, favourite City spots and his confidence for the next year.
Mayor Polanski? It’s more likely than you think… October 30, 2025 With their polling surging and their membership growing rapidly, the Green Party could be contenders to take control of City Hill in 2028, argues James Ford The Green Party are having a moment. In the few weeks since their feisty new leader, Zack Polanski AM, was elected, the Greens have been making waves. Party membership [...]
Reeves: Britain’s partnership with the Gulf will deliver for working people October 30, 2025 The Chancellor says her recent visit to the Gulf has boosted trade with the region – creating jobs and bringing investment into British businesses As I return from Riyadh – where I led the largest ever UK business delegation to the Future Investment Initiative I’m more convinced than ever that the partnership between our two [...]
Badenoch stitched Starmer up like a kipper October 30, 2025 Kemi Badenoch scored a direct hit on Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday. In asking him if he could rule out raising income tax, VAT or national insurance she stitched him up like a kipper. She knew (we all knew) that he would decline the opportunity and the Tory leader knew that when she [...]