Heathrow ‘under pressure’ amid rising costs December 19, 2025 Heathrow Airport has warned that rising employment costs and the government’s controversial business rates overhaul will wipe out the additional revenues generated from a record number of passengers passing through the west London hub. In an update to bondholders, the UK’s largest airport revealed its profit had plummeted by 38 per cent in the nine [...]
Metro Bank handed capital boost from banking watchdog December 19, 2025 High street lender Metro Bank is set for a major capital boost after a reclassification from the banking watchdog. The FTSE 250 firm said on Friday it has received confirmation from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) that it would be listed as a transfer firm under the newly introduced MREL regime from 2026. Introduced in [...]
James Bond producer David Heyman pays himself £26m December 19, 2025 The new co-producer of the James Bond franchise has paid himself more than £26m after the success of his film company. David Heyman is best known for producing all eight instalments of the Harry Potter film series as well as the spin-off prequels, Fantastic Beasts. Heyman, through his company Heyday Films, has also produced the likes of [...]
Lord Alan Sugar-backed recruiter enters the red December 19, 2025 A recruitment company founded by a finalist on The Apprentice and backed by Lord Alan Sugar fell into the red during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. Harper Fox Partners was set up by Scarlett Allen-Horton who was the runner up in series 15 of hit BBC One show The Apprentice. Despite being [...]
On: Sales surge by £40m before Ibiza Final Boss viral boost December 19, 2025 Sales at sports clothes and shoes brand On in the UK jumped by £40m in the year before it went viral thanks to the ‘Ibiza Final Boss’. The brand was caught up in a social media sensation earlier this year when the ‘Ibiza Final Boss’, real name Jack Kay, was captured on video dancing at [...]
Bailey sounds alarm on AI as youth unemployment jumps December 19, 2025 AI could displace workers on a scale not seen since the Industrial Revolution, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned, as the UK jobs market shows fresh signs of strain. Bailey said the rapid adoption of AI across the economy was “most likely” to have a similar effect to past technological upheavals. “As you [...]
Budget uncertainty dampens November spending December 19, 2025 Black Friday discounts failed to significantly boost consumer spending in November, as Budget uncertainty kept shoppers away from the high street. Sales declined 0.1 per cent last month, following a 0.9 per cent fall in October, as households opted to hold off spending in the run up to Christmas and wait to see the outcome [...]
FCA probe and bonus clawbacks: WH Smith acts against former directors as North America profit plunges December 19, 2025 WH Smith’s board will trigger clawback provisions for senior executives following accounting errors woes that had resulted in a probe by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling stepped down with immediate effect last month after the report, produced by Big Four audit firm Deloitte, identified weaknesses in the operations of [...]
UK government borrowing overshoots expectations in November December 19, 2025 UK government borrowing exceeded expectations in November but still fell year-on-year after tax receipts surged following Rachel Reeves’ first Autumn Budget. The latest release from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed public sector borrowing topped £11.7bn in November. City economists expected government borrowing to come in at £10.2bn over the month. Despite this, the [...]
Chinese hustlers are taking advantage of the Cayman legal system – and British investors are paying for it December 19, 2025 Cayman Island rules are allowing Chinese swindlers to take advantage of Western stock markets, enriching themselves and leaving the losses with UK shareholders.