Penderyn Distillery launches its first 25-year-old single malt March 2, 2026 Penderyn Distillery has unveiled its first 25-year-old Welsh single malt, completing what it described as a new chapter for the nation’s whisky industry. The launch took place on St David’s Day, as the distiller introduced a 12, 21, and 25-year age-statement range for the first time in its history. The centrepiece, Penderyn 25-Year-Old Barrel No. [...]
Oil prices spike as UK base hit by Iranian missile March 2, 2026 Oil prices spiked this morning as tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East, raising concerns that a key shipping route could be halted and an Iranian missile attack on an RAF base could drag the UK into a regional war. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil [...]
Brewdog bought by US cannabis giant in £33m deal March 2, 2026 Craft beer giant Brewdog has been sold to American cannabis and brewing group Tilray Brands for £33m after co-founder James Watt reportedly walked away from a comeback deal. Tilray Brands, a pharma firm which sells cannabis and alcoholic lifestyle products, has agreed a deal to acquire most of the brand’s assets. The announcement of a [...]
House price growth holds steady in February March 2, 2026 House prices held steady in the year to February and rose slightly from last month, according to Nationwide’s house price index. The average UK house price last month was £273,176, up 0.3 per cent from January, and annual price growth was unchanged at one per cent. A continued improvement in affordability helped drive first-time buyers [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Gas price surge after LNG halt, stocks slide amid Iran conflict March 2, 2026 Good morning and welcome to the City AM liveblog. Global markets were in store for another dose of risk to kick off the new week after tensions in the Middle East reached a boiling point over the weekend. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – climbed [...]
Rail fares frozen in first pause for 30 years March 2, 2026 A long-trailed freeze on regulated rail fares has come into effect across England, with ministers claiming the move will save passengers around £600m over the coming year. The move marks the first halt to annual increases in three decades. From this week, peak commuter returns and off-peak returns between major cities will not rise in [...]
UK considers social media curfew as under-16 ban looms March 2, 2026 The government is considering overnight curfews on social media and tighter restrictions on children’s access to AI chatbots as it prepares to launch what it describes as a “national conversation” on online safety. From Monday, parents and young people will be invited to take part in a consultation exploring measures that could include an Australia-style [...]
MIPIM: The Cannes real estate conference shaping the London skyline March 2, 2026 The City of London Corporation's presence at MIPIM is as strategic as it is promotional, and will help shape the City skyline.
Business confidence slumps ahead of Spring Statement March 2, 2026 Business confidence slumped back in February as directors’ frustration with the state of the UK economy grew, new research has shown. The Institute of Directors’ latest business confidence survey has uncovered bosses’ exasperation with the UK economy and the level of employment taxes preventing them from taking on more workers. The IoD said its economic [...]
Blair think tank turns fire on Labour over wage hikes and tax squeeze March 1, 2026 Tony Blair’s think tank has published a critique of Labour’s economic strategy, warning that higher minimum wages, rising employers’ National Insurance and tougher workers’ rights risk choking off growth and pricing young people out of jobs. In a striking intervention from the former Labour prime minister’s own policy institute, the report deems the government’s labour [...]