Reasons to be cheerful in an age of extraordinary technological progress February 11, 2026 Headlines are dominated by the oncoming AI apocalypse. The 21st century, far from being an age of decay, may prove to be the most creative and constructive period in human history, says Madsen Pirie We are told that the world is in irreversible decline. Newsfeeds deliver a daily diet of disasters, wars, fires, floods, political [...]
Barclays boss calls for political ‘stability’ as banker’s pay packet swells to £15m February 10, 2026 The boss of British banking giant Barclays has called for “stability” across the political landscape as the Labour government’s future faces uncertainty. CS Venkatakrishnan, the bank’s chief executive who is known as Venkat, faced questions on the turmoil in Number 10 after Barclays published its full-year earnings report. “From the point of view of businesses [...]
How to look fabulous on your ski holiday (and save thousands) February 5, 2026 Renting skiwear is the latest slopeside trend. Anna Moloney puts it to the test on a ski holiday at A Winter Garden festival.
Political uncertainty leaves British businesses only planning year-to-year February 4, 2026 Businesses are seeing political change and regulatory uncertainty as a barrier to long-term workforce planning, making it harder for leaders to implement effective workforce strategies. Nearly 80 per cent of employers find themselves unable to look beyond a 12-month horizon, according to a survey of nearly 700 employers by law firm Lewis Silkin. Lucy Lewis, [...]
Investors on alert after Japanese market jitters January 26, 2026 Japan continued to preoccupy traders at the start of the week after the country’s prime minister suggested that the government was ready to support the yen, pushing the currency up to its strongest level against the dollar in two months following market turbulence that has been described as a “Liz Truss-lite moment”. The yen marked [...]
Labour ruling committee block Andy Burnham from by-election race January 25, 2026 Andy Burnham has been blocked from running as the Labour candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the North West. The Manchester Mayor lodged his request for selection in the Gorton and Denton race on Saturday following Andrew Gwynne announcing his intention to step down. Speculation had mounted Burnham would face opposition from Labour’s governing body [...]
‘Liz Truss-lite’: Is Japan in the midst of a sovereign debt crisis? January 22, 2026 Japan’s long-dated bonds suffered their worst sell-off this century on Tuesday. Ali Lyon asks whether the rout could spark a full-blown debt crisis? For decades, the world’s fixed income investors have been sucked in – and spat out – by an alluring trade on Japan’s government bonds. Secure in their belief that the securities’ unfathomable, [...]
Wealthy London boroughs see house prices plummet amid Budget speculation January 21, 2026 Inner London house prices plummeted at their fastest pace since the global financial crisis in November, after property taxes speculation in the lead up to the Autumn Budget and affordability constraints damaged market activity. The 4.6 per cent year on year drop of house prices in the capital in November followed a 4.3 per cent [...]
UK financial system exposed to ‘serious harm’ from AI risks January 20, 2026 The Treasury, the financial watchdog and the Bank of England have been handed a stiff warning that the nation’s financial system is not adequately prepared for an AI shock. A group of influential MPs sat on the Treasury Select Committee took aim at the institutions for “not doing enough to manage the risks presented by [...]
Young people seek to boost savings to offset cost of living squeeze January 13, 2026 Young people are seeking to save more money in 2026, as the cost of living crisis focuses minds on careful financial management. According to the latest City AM polling from Freshwater strategy, over half of Britons are aiming to save money, but a staggering 70 per cent of 18 to 34 year olds are prioritising [...]