Fishing retailer catches sales boost to defy summer drought August 19, 2026 The UK’s largest fishing shop has posted a surge in sales to defy fears that the record drought is impacting the country’s rivers and fisheries. Angling Direct, the UK’s leading seller of fishing equipment, said it has grown its market share and is on track to meet its profit targets despite the drought, which has [...]
Trainline and Virgin Atlantic face watchdog’s ‘drip pricing’ probe August 19, 2026 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into three companies over concerns that customers were not shown the total upfront price when buying train and coach tickets, holidays or driving lessons. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will probe the activities of Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and RED Driving School as part of a wider [...]
Inflation leaps to 2.9 per cent in blow to Burnham August 19, 2026 Inflation has leaped up following the reset of the energy price cap, official data has revealed, marking the likely beginning of a long run of increases in price growth. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) put the consumer price index inflation reading at 2.9 per cent for the 12 months to July. The previous inflation [...]
As it happened: Miners fuel FTSE 100 recovery; oil jumps as Trump claims Strait of Hormuz August 19, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The FTSE 100 is falling on Wednesday as oil prices continue their march upwards and investors digest a jump in inflation. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) put the consumer price index inflation reading at 2.9 per cent for the 12 months to July. The previous inflation reading [...]
IPO tweaks are welcome, but London’s market needs root and branch reform August 19, 2026 The FCA's recent IPO reforms are welcome tweaks, but London needs bolder action to win the listings race, writes Samantha Myers.
Old Spice Trafford: Which brands could splash £150m sponsoring Manchester United’s new stadium? August 19, 2026 Technology, financial services and northern brands are favourites to stump up a potential £150m to sponsor Manchester United’s New Trafford stadium, experts have said. Despite only eight of the Premier League’s 20 teams having naming rights sponsors for their stadiums – notably Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton with Emirates, Etihad and Hill Dickinson respectively – [...]
I built my career on social media as a teen. I still think banning under-16s is right August 19, 2026 George Bacon arguably makes a living from young people scrolling. But he says a social media ban for under-16s is logical and responsible.
Tories say households could save £540 a year by scrapping net zero August 18, 2026 The Conservatives have said that households could save about £540 a year after 2030 if net zero regulations are scrapped with a commitment to make energy as cheap as possible. A report published by centre-right think tank Onward and backed by the Tories said the cost of net zero came to an extra £540 per [...]
New planning rules ‘could blight high streets with empty pubs’ August 18, 2026 Angela Rayner’s attempt to stop pubs being redeveloped into offices and housing could “blight high streets” with empty venues, property experts have warned. The housing secretary has unveiled reforms to planning rules which mean that developers can only turn a pub into housing or an office if there is no reasonable prospect that it can [...]
Diageo boss ‘drastic’ Dave Lewis eyes £20m pay deal as 2,000 jobs slashed August 18, 2026 Diageo boss Sir Dave Lewis could take home as much as £20m in pay for the next year, it has emerged, while the drinks giant sheds 2,000 staff. The chief executive of the Guinness and Smirnoff maker could make as much as £20m in the year to June 2027, though he is more likely to [...]