SME Construction data casts doubt on UK ability to hit 1.5 million homes July 29, 2025 The number of struggling construction firms has risen further despite heavy pressure on the sector to deliver hundreds of thousands of new homes. The number of firms in critical distress – a measure of firms nearing bankruptcy – rose 15.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, according to Begbies Traynor, while the number [...]
Aston Martin: Why going private could be the right road for luxury carmaker July 29, 2025 Luxury carmaker Aston Martin could delist from the London Stock Exchange and return to private ownership as a way to boost its balance sheet, according to an analyst. Experts at Third Bridge have said the move could have a number of benefits for the Warwickshire-headquartered brand including “improve agility, attract long-term partners, and reduce the [...]
Facing low pay and rising rents, a quarter of young Brits weigh UK exit July 29, 2025 Over a quarter of young Brits are considering leaving the UK to escape the country’s stuttering economy and unaffordable housing market. As many as 28 per cent of 18-30 year-olds are either planning to quit the UK or have seriously considered emigrating, according to a poll from free-market think tank the Adam Smith Institute (ASI). [...]
IMF upgrades world economy’s growth forecast as Trump’s tariffs reduced July 29, 2025 The world economy will not suffer as badly from President Trump’s tariffs as previously thought, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted. Global growth is set to be three per cent this year, the IMF said, which is higher than its previous 2.8 per cent forecast made in April. The world economy will grow by [...]
Rare Lionesses ‘Champions’ shirt almost gone as sales rocket 250 per cent July 29, 2025 Special Lionesses replica shirts commemorating their Women’s Euro 2025 victory have almost sold out as fans revel in Sunday’s historic win. The Nike kit, which costs £125 and is emblazoned with “Champions” and the number 25 on the back, only launched after England’s triumph over Spain. It is part of a range of new merchandise [...]
Sky challenges Ofcom’s end-of-contract notification rule in latest legal bid July 29, 2025 Media giant Sky is trying to appeal a regulatory ruling that put obligation on it to provide customers with end-of-contract notifications
Smart Pension invests £330m into Octopus Energy fund as Mansion House Accord bears fruit July 29, 2025 Smart Pension has made a £330m investment into two funds managed by Octopus Energy in an early sign the Chancellor’s Mansion House Accord is beginning to bear fruit. The pensions firm, which has more than £7bn in assets under management, said the commitment will represent 5 per cent of the portfolio of its default fund, [...]
Donald Trump slams North Sea oil taxes that ‘make no sense’ July 29, 2025 US President Donald Trump has slammed the UK for its high taxes on North Sea oil, which he described as a “TREASURE CHEST” for the UK. In an early morning post on Truth Social, Trump said the UK could cash in its oil reserves near Scotland, where Trump opened a new 18-hole course at the [...]
Stellantis: Vauxhall owner warns of £1.3bn tariff hit after EU-US deal July 29, 2025 Stellantis will have to shoulder a €1.5bn (£1.3bn) hit from President Donald Trump’s swingeing tariffs on cars this year despite the trade deal struck between the European Union and United States earlier this week. The automaker, whose stable of marques includes Vauxhall and Fiat, confirmed in a half-year update that it had already incurred levies [...]
Vodafone boss faces renewed backlash over £85m franchise dispute July 29, 2025 Former franchisees accused telecoms giant Vodafone of driving small business owners to the brink at its annual general meeting on Tuesday, amid a deepening £85m legal dispute over its former retail partner model. At the meeting in Newbury, several claimants involved in the lawsuit directly challenged chief executive Margherita Della Valle and chairman Jean-François van [...]