Four Champ Rugby clubs in talks with new investors April 27, 2026 Nearly a third of Champ Rugby clubs are having conversations with potential new investors, as the wider game looks to capitalise on the incoming franchising of Prem Rugby. Although details are still to be finalised, the English top flight is set to steamroll into an expansionist league much like those seen in North America. Red [...]
Lady Mayor: ‘Lawless London’ narrative is risking vital global deals April 27, 2026 Misperceptions of London as dangerous and unwelcoming are sending the wrong signals to vital partners like India, writes Susan Langley.
Government is not lacking in nuclear ambition – so why is nothing happening? April 27, 2026 If you were to go by ministerial speeches, nuclear is at the heart of Britain's energy ambitions. So why is nothing happening?
Tories pledge to scrap mandatory time off for union reps April 27, 2026 The Conservative Party has pledged to scrap the legal requirement for employers to offer paid time off for union representatives. Tory shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith will announce the policy on Monday, which he says will free up taxpayer cash to be spent on cutting NHS waiting lists and filling potholes. Union reps are currently [...]
Government urged to reform ‘growth killer’ business rates April 27, 2026 Britain’s largest industry body has called on the government to urgently reform business rates, which it says is a “growth killer”. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said the government should keep its manifesto pledge to reform the business rates system as a matter of urgency. Business rates is a tax determined by the [...]
Guaranteed hours rules would threaten jobs, government warned April 27, 2026 Four leading trade bodies have warned the government that new rules around guaranteed hours would increase unemployment and prevent young people from entering the jobs market. The industry bodies have raised concerns over Labour’s guaranteed hours policy, a part of the Employment Rights Act which became law in December. The British Retail Consortium, Food and [...]
‘National scandal’: Record-high shoplifting driven by repeat offenders April 26, 2026 Shoplifting has been branded a “national scandal” as incidents reach a record high, fuelled by a growing number of repeat offenders. More than 500,000 shoplifting offenses were recorded last year, according to official figures released in response to a parliamentary question by former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith. Fears around the worsening state of [...]
King’s Speech to unleash wave of City reforms April 26, 2026 A host of City of London reforms will be set in stone at next month’s King’s Speech, as the Prime Minister hopes to use the moment to turn a corner from doubts over his leadership. Impending reforms, including scrapping the payments watchdog and overhauling the financial ombudsman, are set to be legislated in the financial [...]
Economy could suffer for eight months after Iran war ends, minister says April 26, 2026 Surging food and energy prices caused by the Iran war could last for more than eight months after the conflict ends, Starmer’s right-hand man has said. Higher petrol, food and plane ticket prices will persist for “eight-plus months” following the end of the conflict, chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said. The minister [...]
WH Smith successor delays ‘aggressive’ restructuring which will shut stores April 26, 2026 The private equity financiers who run nearly 500 former WH Smith stores have delayed announcing an “aggressive” restructuring which could force the closure of up to 100 stores. Modella Capital, the Mayfair equity firm which runs hundreds of the stationer’s former stores, has run into financial difficulties and was due to unveil rescue proposals last [...]