12 predictions for AI in 2026 December 18, 2025 A year of building an AI business has given Lewis Liu a lot to think about. He gives us his 12 AI assumptions to live by in 2026.
Is the consensus on central bank independence starting to fray? December 18, 2025 Across the globe, leaders like Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron are challenging institutional independence and exerting their influence over monetary policy – but they could come to regret it, says Helen Thomas For much of the past three decades, central bank independence has been treated as a settled question. Monetary policy was best left to [...]
John Caudwell: The business community is running out of goodwill for Labour December 18, 2025 When I started out as an entrepreneur, I asked for only three things from government. I wanted predictability, fair taxation and a system that rewarded hard work, says John Caudwell As someone who built Phones 4u from a one man band into a multi-billion-pound business, I know that every large company begins as a small [...]
For Starmer, things can only get worse December 18, 2025 It’s been a bad year for Starmer, characterised by scandals, economic woes and plummeting poll ratings – and it looks 2026 is going to be no better, says Tom Harwood As we all enjoy late December’s time honoured if questionable traditions of frantic Christmas shopping, parties and hangovers – please spare a thought for one [...]
Can Spotify and Lloyds and Uber and Deliveroo and Apple and everyone stop wrapping my year, please! December 17, 2025 From Spotify to banking, data 'wraps' are taking over the festive period and exposing all our bad habits. Anna Moloney wants out.
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 [...]