Great British Railways risk repeating British Rail mistakes July 28, 2025 Plans for the government’s flagship rail reform body, Great British Railways (GBR), risk reviving the failings of the past if urgent changes aren’t made, a leading think tank has warned. A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) cautions that the structure of GBR could stifle innovation, reduce accountability, and discourage competition, particularly [...]
Stonehenge and glitter: Inside the Bank of England’s new banknote consultation July 28, 2025 The Bank of England first began issuing banknotes in 1694, and today there are 4.7bn sterling banknotes in circulation, worth a combined total of £86bn. And while the use of cash as a method of payment has dropped from around one in two transactions to one in four over the past decade, cash remains a [...]
Physician associates union takes government to court over planned role changes July 27, 2025 A union will take the Government to court over its decision to implement recommended changes to the roles of physician associates (PAs) within the NHS, the United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) has said. It follows findings by a Government-ordered report that PAs have been used as substitutes for doctors despite having significantly less training. The [...]
Ransomware ban won’t save councils or NHS without urgent cyber investment July 27, 2025 The UK government’s recent ban on ransomware payments by the public sector is a pivotal moment in cybercrime policy. While hailed as a decisive step, experts caution that without parallel investment in resilience, hospitals, councils, and schools remain dangerously exposed. Announced on 22 June, the policy prohibits pay-outs by NHS trusts, local authorities, and other [...]
One in eight high earners with no inheritance ‘trapped by financial outgoings’ July 27, 2025 One in eight (12 per cent) people with a salary over £100,000, but with no parental wealth to fall back on, feel “trapped” by their current financial commitments, a survey has found. More than two-fifths (44 per cent) do not feel that they are able to comfortably meet their financial commitments each month, according to [...]
How 2025 Women’s Euros has already broken record after record July 27, 2025 The 2025 Women’s Euros concludes on Sunday, when the Lionesses will aim to their title against Spain, their nemeses from the last World Cup final. But before a ball has been kicked in Basel, the tournament has already been a record-breaker by just about every key metric. Here, City AM digs into those numbers. Ticket [...]
Labour to introduce new licensing rules to boost high street venues July 26, 2025 The Labour government has pledged to simplify the opening process for new high street venues in a bid to ramp up British hospitality prospects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said new licensing framework, which comes as part of Labour’s overhaul on planning, plans to fast-track permissions for al fresco dining, helping to “protect pavement pints”. The [...]
Shell: FTSE 100 giant in line for profit hit after oil woes July 26, 2025 Shell is expected to report lower profits for recent months as the energy giant continues to battle oil price volatility and strives to return cash to its shareholders. The FTSE 100-listed company is predicted to report adjusted earnings of 3.74 billion US dollars (£2.78 billion) for the second quarter, when it publishes its latest figures [...]
Breadmakers Hovis and Kingsmill butter up £75m merger July 26, 2025 Bread producers Hovis and Kingsmill are set for a historic merger with their owners expected to ink an agreement after months of discussion. Kingsmill, whose immediate parent Allied Bakeries is owned by London-listed Associated British Foods (ABF), and Hovis could benefit from up to £50m of annual cost savings from a merger. The proposed agreement, [...]
Rachel Reeves urges cabinet to boost British jobs as employment slides July 26, 2025 Rachel Reeves has told cabinet ministers to ensure government contracts go to companies that will boost British workers as employment figures continue to struggle. The Chancellor, along with Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, told their colleagues that the billions in public spending on transport and infrastructure projects must be utilised as an [...]