Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
AI rivals not guaranteed spot on Google search screens under UK plans September 24, 2026 ChatGPT and other AI assistants are not guaranteed a place on Google’s search choice screens under new UK competition rules, City AM understands, despite proposals to open the door to rival services. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is still consulting on the criteria AI providers will have to meet to qualify for inclusion, with [...]
Airtel Money boss: This is why we picked London for our float September 24, 2026 The boss of Airtel Money has laid out his rationale for selecting London as his chosen venue after the firm unveiled plans for a multi-billion pound IPO that could be Britain’s biggest in years. The African mobile payments business, which is controlled by Indian-owned telecoms group Airtel Africa, is reportedly seeking a valuation at as [...]
Tesco’s slow retreat from Europe is depressing September 24, 2026 Working with Tesco can be both a blessing and a curse, a relative of mine, who used to work in wine sales in Australia, recently told me. Some winemakers who struck deals with the British supermarket, one of the world’s biggest purchasers of wine, would quickly be rolling in cash, such were the size and [...]
Healey urged to cut business costs as consumer confidence slips September 24, 2026 Retailers have called on John Healey to slash the “burdensome” costs of doing business at the Budget next month, warning that consumer confidence will continue to stumble without urgent action. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents top retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, has urged the Chancellor to tackle the “triple blow” [...]
Tory welfare crackdown would ban benefit spending on alcohol and cigarettes September 23, 2026 Scores of benefit claimants would receive their welfare payments on a ‘Back To Work’ card that bans spending on alcohol, cigarettes or betting under plans announced by the Conservatives. Under a new crackdown on the welfare system, unemployed people on benefits will see their payments fall by 30 per cent. Those who are on Universal [...]
Bentley’s debut EV drives £1bn motoring investment surge in a week September 23, 2026 Britain’s automotive industry is set to get an extra £350m of investment as Bentley drives new funding into its headquarters in Crewe to build its first fully electronic vehicle, marking the third major boost in a week for the sector. The announcement takes the total figure of fresh investment into the UK’s automotive industry in [...]
Collagen business founder loses £3.6m tax battle September 23, 2026 The founder of a collagen company has lost a battle over a £3.6m tax bill after a judge ruled his product could not be classified as food and therefore cannot claim VAT exemption. Tony Sanguinetti founded Minerva Research Labs in London in 2009 after he “became slightly obsessed with finding a way to reverse the [...]
Red Bull spent £1.3bn on athletes like Stokes, Verstappen and Neymar in 2025 September 23, 2026 Red Bull spent £1.3bn on athletes like Ben Stokes marketing its energy drinks last year as the firm reported a jump in sponsorship costs. Red Bull GmbH, the Austrian conglomerate behind the wing-giving libation, saw its net income rise by 12 per cent in 2025 to over £1.6bn, according to an annual report filed with [...]
Ryanair tells Burnham: Slash taxes or we’ll cut UK flights September 23, 2026 The boss of Ryanair has warned Andy Burnham that the budget airline will cut its flight capacity in the UK if the government refuses to drop plans for a “double tax” on tourists. Michael O’Leary, chief executive of the Dublin-based carrier, has accused the government of planning to tax tourists twice, with mayors set to [...]