UK businesses shrug off Budget tax fears in push for growth November 5, 2025 UK businesses enjoyed a boost in activity in October due to improved demand for good, a leading survey has indicated, in signs that the momentum in growth was growing ahead of the Budget. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has offered the Chancellor and the Bank of England some positive relief ahead of crucial policy [...]
AI-assisted shopping starts to go mainstream November 5, 2025 The promised AI revolution in shopping is starting to materialise, with shoppers increasingly trusting agents for personal recommendations ahead of the festive season. Traffic to retail sites from AI tools is expected to surge fivefold year-over-year, with particular boosts on Cyber Monday and Black Friday, according to Adobe. “Traditional models of how consumers react with [...]
‘This is not a game’: Super League Basketball rejects ‘illegal’ BBF deal November 5, 2025 Super League Basketball has dismissed an attempt by the British Basketball Federation to end the legal battle that has torn the domestic game apart and seen the men’s national team banned before it reaches the High Court. In a letter to the BBF sent on Monday, SLB interim chair Sanjay Bhandari rejected a compromise offer [...]
World’s biggest padel club: Rowland eyes mega project after taking racket sport public November 5, 2025 British entrepreneur Jonathan Rowland has stepped up plans to build the world’s biggest padel venue by creating the first listed investment vehicle focused on niche racket sports. Rowland today announced a deal to use Aquis-listed VVV Sports to acquire his R3 Sport, which operates tournaments, manages players, and has retail and distribution partnerships in padel. [...]
Abramovich hits out at UK government over frozen £2.3bn Chelsea proceeds November 5, 2025 Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has criticised the government over moves that have “paralysed” his £2.3bn windfall from the sale of the Premier League club. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian billionaire sold the Stamford Bridge club to a consortium fronted by American Todd Boehly, with the proceeds placed in a frozen bank account [...]
Don’t penalise banks amid private credit jitters, Lloyds boss urges November 5, 2025 The chef executive of Lloyds Banking Group has weighed in on the bubbling tension in the private credit market with a stark warning. In a session with the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee, Charlie Nunn said the UK needed to be “very careful not to make banks accountable for the risks of the [...]
North Sea oil and gas production decline labelled an ’emergency’ November 5, 2025 Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has declared an oil and gas “emergency” in the North East of Scotland as she pushes the Labour government to overturn its ban on new oil and gas licenses. Badenoch has pledged to “get Britain drilling again” in a new campaign in partnership with the Scottish Conservatives. The announcement marks the [...]
Chancellor urged to back long-term prosperity in upcoming Budget November 5, 2025 A leading UK wealth manager has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ to back wealthy individuals focused on building wealth and increasing UK investment in the November Budget. Rathbones has called on the government to offer support to wealthier Brits in this month’s Budget in order to drive long-term, sustainable investment and end the cycle of weak [...]
London house price growth to lag behind rest of UK until at least 2030 November 5, 2025 The capacity for house prices growing in London over the next five years is limited, according to property giant Savills, while Scottish and Northern prices are set to soar. By 2030, prices in the North West of England are expected to rise nearly a third to sit just 15 per cent below the UK average, [...]
International rugby player charged over alleged £70,000 crypto theft November 5, 2025 An international rugby player has been charged with fraud over an alleged crypto theft worth £70,000. Former NRL rugby league star Trent Merrin was arrested this week and charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception. The seven-time Australia international and former Dragons and State of Origin forward, 36, stands accused of stealing from [...]