Amazon pledges 30,000 jobs for Neets ahead of Budget October 21, 2026 Amazon has pledged to create 30,000 entry-level roles for young people by the end of the decade, in the latest sign of firms rowing in behind the government’s effort to tackle the youth unemployment crisis. The tech and retail giant has announced its “Youth Promise” programme amid growing concerns about youth joblessness and the number [...]
Paddy Power owner to axe 1,400 jobs after Labour gambling tax raid October 20, 2026 Paddy Power owner Flutter has announced it will cut as many as 1,400 jobs, blaming Labour’s tax raid on the gambling sector last year. The New-York listed firm will restructure its UK and Ireland division, slashing around 15 per cent of its workforce. Redundancies will affect roles in Leeds and Dublin, as well as Portugal [...]
Iceland eyes Poundland stores as buyers circle budget retailer October 20, 2026 Iceland is interested in buying a limited number of Poundland stores in the event the troubled retailer’s owners cannot find a single buyer, City AM can reveal. The discount supermarket will be on the lookout for a small number of shops if Poundland’s 600-store estate ends up being split apart, sources said. Iceland, which specialises [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers loosens grip on Burberry October 20, 2026 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has loosened its grip on Burberry, despite ramping up its pursuit of high-fashion names. The retail giant, which owns Sports Direct and Flannels, had built up a position in Burberry over recent weeks but has now faltered in its pursuit of the group. Frasers Group had increased its position in Burberry [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 slides on market pressures; Google Cloud outage October 20, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog. London’s blue-chip index are extending Monday’s losses after a bruising showing following tension in European bond markets. A bond-sell off hit Europe following tensions in France after the Prime Minister introduced a curfew to contain explosive riots. The 10-year yield on French bonds – a direct [...]
Sainsbury’s hopes to regain narrative after Morrisons merger bombshell October 20, 2026 Sainsbury’s is set to update the market on its latest numbers this week. But the City has one thing in mind: merger talks with Morrisons, writes Felix Armstrong As Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts gears up to face the market later this week, business hacks will be getting used to the usual riposte: no comment. The [...]
West End boss urges Healey to curb ‘eye-watering’ business rates October 20, 2026 The West End’s top business chief has urged John Healey to avoid adding to high street firms’ “eye-watering” business rates bills. Writing in City AM, New West End Company chief executive Dee Corsi said the Chancellor must listen to retailers and hospitality businesses who say they “cannot absorb” any more tax hikes. The industry body, [...]
City of London urged against business rates hikes to cover £70m shortfall October 19, 2026 The City of London Corporation has been warned that hiking business rates to cover its £70m budget shortfall would undermine the Square Mile’s global “competitiveness”. The local authority is weighing up whether to increase the business rates multiplier it charges businesses in the Square Mile, but a member of its finance committee has warned that [...]
B&M joins battle to ‘cherry pick’ Poundland stores in sale October 19, 2026 Discount retailer B&M has joined the tussle to pick off select Poundland stores as its Boston-based owner Gordon Brothers eyes a rushed sale of the company. London-listed B&M European Value Retail is interested in acquiring a small number of Poundland stores, should the retailer be broken up if a buyer for the whole company is [...]
As it happened: European stocks slump as bond yields spike after France riots October 19, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog. European bond markets have been left in the red following the shifting pressures on global markets. The 10-year yield on French bonds – a direct reflection of the government’s cost to borrow – spiked some 13 basis points to 4.9 per cent. The spread between French [...]