Former top security adviser questions Starmer over China trial collapse October 9, 2025 Former national security adviser Lord Sedwill has raised questions over the explanation provided for the collapse of the Chinese spy case involving Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry. Lord Mark Sedwill, a career diplomat and civil servant who served the same role as current national security adviser Jonathan Powell between 2017 and 2020, claimed it was [...]
Zilch eyes ‘hot’ fintech IPO market amid product launch October 9, 2025 The boss of consumer payments platform Zilch has pledged to bring something “never seen before” to public markets as the fintech IPO scene heats up. Philip Belamant told City AM Klarna’s debut on the New York Stock Exchange – where the stock popped 15 per cent – was a “brilliant” indicator for fintech prospects. “I [...]
Gingardium Leviosa: Harry Potter star Emma Watson’s gin brand takes off October 9, 2025 The luxury gin brand co-founded by Harry Potter star Emma Watson has surged in value after raising an extra £5m. Renais Gin was launched in May 2023 by the actor and her brother Alex and is now sold in 11 countries. The siblings were inspired to set up the company by childhood trips to their family’s vineyard, [...]
St James Place warns self-employed to act now as digital tax deadline looms October 9, 2025 Financial giant urges landlords and sole traders to prepare for new digital filing rules amid slow national take-up. St James’s Place has urged hundreds of thousands of sole traders and landlords to prepare now for the rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax, warning that leaving it too late could risk fines and [...]
Lloyds banking group acquires remaining stake in Schroders personal wealth October 9, 2025 Lloyds Banking Group has completed the full acquisition of Schroders’ personal wealth arm, six years after the establishment of the unit. Lloyds acquired the remaining 49.9 per cent of Schroders Personal Wealth (SPW) from the asset manager, handing the bank sole control of the business. Lloyds noted the acquisition will support the group’s “ambition to [...]
Anglo American boss sees future in London despite HQ move October 9, 2025 Anglo American has no plans to move its primary listing away from London once its megamerger with Canadian rival Teck is completed, its boss has said, despite the firm recently choosing to move its headquarters to Vancouver. Duncan Wanblad, who will eventually head up the future ‘Anglo Teck’ entity should the deal be green lit [...]
Millions of Brits turn to ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ for healthcare treatments October 9, 2025 Millions of Brits are turning to the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ for help to pay for private healthcare treatment, as NHS waiting lists continue to remain high. According to a new survey by Howden Life and Health, over the past five years, nearly one-third of UK adults, or approximately 14m people, have paid for [...]
How Reeves could ‘trigger’ bond market fright and collapse UK economy October 9, 2025 Poor decisions made by Rachel Reeves at the next Budget could send the UK economy into a crisis if her announcements trigger a collapse in bond markets’ confidence, according to a scenario played out by analysts at Oxford Economics. Rachel Reeves has pledged to drive growth in the UK and lower the cost of living [...]
What will Rachel Reeves’ budget pay for and where will the money come from? October 9, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ November budget is fast approaching, and steep tax rises are once again on the cards. Speaking at Labour conference last month, the Chancellor hinted at tax hikes by warning that she will be forced into “harder choices” by “harsh global headwinds”. To balance the books in accordance with her much-discussed fiscal rules, Reeves [...]
Close Brothers shares plunge on new ‘material’ motor finance hit October 9, 2025 Shares in FTSE 250 lender Close Brothers sank on Thursday after the firm said it expects to increase its provisions for the motor finance scandal. The bank – which has a £9.5bn loan book with over 20 per cent car finance loans – sunk nearly ten per cent to 472.60p. It follows the Financial Conduct [...]