Business activity rebounds but Budget nerves could damage growth November 16, 2025 UK private sector activity marked its largest monthly rise of the year in October, but momentum could be shattered by increasing Budget speculation. According to the latest business trends report from accountancy firm BDO, which measures businesses turnover and economic activity, output rose to 97.49 past month, up from 96.25 in September. This marked the [...]
Resident doctor strike turnout is down, NHS chief says November 16, 2025 Strike turnout is down, the chief executive of the NHS has said, as resident doctors continue their five-day action over pay and conditions. Sir James Mackey said there are “some really encouraging early indications” that fewer resident doctors are striking than in any of the previous 12 rounds of industrial action. Medics in England walked [...]
Treasury ‘buries’ farming report until after Budget in inheritance tax blow November 16, 2025 A government-commissioned review that shows the financial pressures on the farming industry has been “buried” by the Treasury until after the Autumn Budget, Whitehall sources claim. The review which was carried out by a former president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Baroness Batters, is understood to lay bare concerns among farmers over Chancellor Rachel [...]
Home Secretary: Illegal migration is causing “huge divides” November 16, 2025 Illegal migration is causing “huge divides” in the UK and must be brought under control to maintain consent for any form of asylum system, the Home Secretary has said. Shabana Mahmood said the Government needed to “deal with the pull factors that draw people in the first place” as she plans to announce a new [...]
Europe or US: Which sports league system will come out on top? November 16, 2025 Three distinct sports league models are all jostling for dominance in global sport. For decades, European, US and centralised leagues have defined how sport is run, financed and experienced. But, as sport becomes a focus for global investment and a key part of the entertainment industry, traditional models are breaking down. The question is, which [...]
Government risks missing both housing and nature targets, MPs find November 16, 2025 The Government risks missing both its housing and nature targets under its proposed reforms, a cross-party group of MPs has warned in a new report. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) found that the measures outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is currently passing through the final stages in Parliament, are not enough to [...]
Home Secretary to announce ‘sweeping changes’ to asylum system November 15, 2025 The Home Secretary has vowed to “restore order” to the British asylum system with “sweeping changes” modelled on the approach taken by Denmark. Shabana Mahmood will lay out a series of reforms to the asylum system in the House of Commons on Monday aimed at making Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants, and [...]
George Osborne surprise contender for HSBC chair post November 15, 2025 Former Chancellor George Osborne has emerged as a surprise contender for chair of HSBC Holdings, one of the world’s top banking jobs. Osborne, who was chancellor from 2010 until 2016, was approached during the summer about becoming the successor to Sir Mark Tucker, according to Sky News. He is one of the three remaining candidates [...]
Council tax revaluation on high-value homes to disproportionately hit London and South East November 15, 2025 Rachel Reeves is set to introduce a council tax surcharge on expensive homes in a move that will disproportionately impact London and the South East, according to reports. The Chancellor is currently finalizing plans to plug a £25bn black hole in the public finances, and last week ruled out a major rise to income taxes. [...]
Cricket’s biggest problem isn’t the format, it’s the marketers November 15, 2025 The fireworks have faded, the John Lewis ad has landed, and the smell of gunpowder is giving way to the scent of linseed oil. It can only mean one thing: cricket’s oldest rivalry is back. On 21 November England face Australia once again in the Ashes. As Jofra Archer (hopefully) starts his run-up or Zak [...]