Sadiq Khan urges banks to stay in London as tax raid looms October 26, 2026 Sadiq Khan has urged London’s biggest banks to keep investing in the UK, days away from an expected tax raid on the sector. On Monday, the Mayor of London said the City’s banking sector is “really important” but refused to say whether he opposed the tax raid, adding that “those with broader shoulders carry the [...]
Supermarkets blindsided by ‘shambolic’ stockpiling warning October 23, 2026 Supermarkets have been caught off guard by the government’s “shambolic” campaign to urge Brits to stock up on supplies of food and water, industry sources told City AM. Retailers were not told the details of the government’s “Be Ready” campaign until days before it was announced and expected it to be a more “low key” [...]
Doubts over £458m gambling tax plan emerge days before Budget October 23, 2026 A week before the Budget, questions have emerged about the evidence behind a proposed £458m gambling tax rise, after internal comments revealed doubts among the campaigners that were pushing for the increase. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) told City AM that the comments, which appeared in a draft report by the Social Market Foundation [...]
How John Healey clamped down on Treasury speculation October 23, 2026 Since entering Downing Street in July, John Healey has faced criticism from some business chiefs over an economic vision that seems similar to Rachel Reeves. But one aspect of running the Treasury has split Healey from his predecessor more than any other: keeping a lid on Budget rumours. After being appointed Chancellor, City AM can [...]
Healey moves to slash red tape and save firms £800m a year October 23, 2026 Chancellor John Healey has said a package to streamline regulation on reporting requirements as well as further tariff reductions will save businesses around £800m a year. In a pre-Budget announcement to offer “breathing space” to businesses, Healey confirmed that the government would make reporting requirements for firms and asset managers easier. The changes on reporting [...]
Government must cut red tape to fuel football stadium development October 22, 2026 Investing in a football stadium can be the difference between sinking and swimming and the government must play a role, writes Joseph Smith. It is fair to say that the Independent Football Regulator’s draft State of the Game report provides the most comprehensive analysis of English football’s finances to date. Published last week and open [...]
See you in court (eventually): Labour’s dumping problems on broken Tribunals October 22, 2026 Since coming to power, Labour has passed some hefty laws, including its landmark renters’ rights reform and employment overhaul, but they aren’t giving voters more power; they’re passing them onto the already backlogged Tribunal system, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. One of the main reforms in focus is the Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force in [...]
Our national debt is a crisis but at least we got a good dance track out of it October 22, 2026 Monday 24 November 2008, and MPs are gripped by one of the most consequential parliamentary debates of the past 30 years. As Chancellor, the late Alistair Darling had just told the House that his pre-Budget statement was being “made against a background of economic uncertainty not seen for generations” and that they had gathered in [...]
Bank of England set to overshadow Healey’s Budget with interest rate hike October 21, 2026 The Bank of England is expected to overshadow John Healey’s maiden Budget with a “done deal” interest rate hike aiming to tame soaring inflation while risking economic growth. Top City economists predict the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will raise the base rate at its November meeting, just one week after the Autumn Budget. [...]
UK tech race at risk from ‘far too cautious’ government, warns watchdog October 21, 2026 Britain risks falling behind in the global tech race unless the government takes greater risks backing British startups, the chairman of Parliament’s spending watchdog has warned. In a report published on Wednesday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) urged UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to take more equity stakes in companies it funds, arguing taxpayers are [...]