‘Economic anaesthetic’ of welfare spending dwarfed capital investment by £1.1 trillion October 12, 2026 Spending on benefits for working-age people dwarfed investment in key infrastructure such as schools and trains by £1.1 trillion between 2006 and 2025, new research has found. The Centre for Social Justice said that spending on disability support and other forms of welfare racked up to £1.1 trillion more than capital expenditure in the same [...]
Brexit U-turn? Burnham says he is taking ‘pragmatic’ approach on EU October 12, 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will take a “pragmatic” approach to boosting relations with the European Union just a fortnight after he suggested he could explore a full return to the world’s largest economic bloc. Burnham told MPs on Monday that a summit with EU leaders would take place on 20 November, where [...]
‘Moral hazard’ – Lawyers warn SFO whistleblowing rewards could backfire October 12, 2026 The UK government has launched a consultation on reforming whistleblowing laws, seeking to give the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) powers to reward individuals who report economic crime, a move experts view with scepticism. On Monday, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and minister for the future of work, Kate Dearden, revealed the government’s plans for a “whistleblowing [...]
Bank of England targeted in inflation installation stunt October 12, 2026 The Bank of England has been targeted in an inflation installation stunt in the centre of the City of London. Over the weekend, a satirical art piece appeared across the road from the central bank’s office on Threadneedle Street. A black Canon printer, sitting atop a decorative silver-beaded pedestal surrounded by a stream of banknotes, [...]
Triple lock reform and scrapping IHT: Voters give thumbs up to Labour and Tory policies October 12, 2026 Andy Burnham’s pledge to reform the state pension triple lock and Kemi Badenoch’s plan to scrap inheritance taxes on family homes have both received a stamp of approval from voters, new polling has shown. The latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll of UK voters showed that the British public back the major policies announced by the [...]
Oil prices waver as Trump pushes for dubious Ukraine-Russia ‘ceasefire’ October 12, 2026 Oil prices remained above the $100 mark on Monday morning after President Trump hailed a deal with Russia’s President Putin that would lead to the supply of millions of barrels of diesel to the US and global markets. Brent crude oil futures, a benchmark for international prices, fell by about 0.6 per cent to $104 [...]
Fiscal drag to the rescue – but Healey still faces £35bn inflation headache October 12, 2026 Soaring inflation could force the Chancellor to commit to more government spending and tax hikes, posing a worse Budget headache than a narrowing fiscal headroom, a top think tank has warned. John Healey might have to top up department budgets by as much as £35bn by the end of the decade to stop the real-terms [...]
Healey rules out expanding mansion tax to £1.5m homes October 11, 2026 John Healey has ruled out widening Labour’s so-called mansion tax to cover homes worth £1.5m, following warnings that the tax change would hammer middle-class homeowners in the capital. The Chancellor had been considering widening its council tax surcharge to cover homes valued at £1.5m or more, as the Treasury seeks extra revenue to fund cost [...]
City minister insists capital markets reform ‘not a job done’ October 11, 2026 A top Treasury minister has opened the door to further capital markets reforms after saying the government’s job was not done in improving listing incentives. Lucy Rigby, who serves as the economic secretary to the Treasury, otherwise known as City minister, told City AM the government was “continually looking for ways that we can ensure [...]
Palantir’s Tom Watson warns Labour against ‘mob rule’ on procurement October 9, 2026 Former Labour deputy leader and top Palantir executive Tom Watson has warned his party could face “trouble” if they bow to “mob rule” on procurement procedures. Lord Watson, who became a senior vice president at the US tech giant in September, said Palantir is “very targeted by the people that are targeting Israeli companies”. Watson [...]