Breaking up the science department is a setback for Britain’s AI ambitions July 27, 2026 Spreading AI across four different departments is a mistake Andy Burnham will come to regret, says Eliot Wilson Last Tuesday, on his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham killed the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. That has set back the UK’s approach to science policy by several years, for reasons which are [...]
Burnham backs plan to pump £1bn pension funds into start-ups July 27, 2026 Andy Burnham’s government is set to spearhead a new £1bn fund that will channel cash from some of the country’s biggest pension schemes into start-ups. Pension funds including Nest, the workplace scheme set up by the government, Railpen, Border to Coast and the Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI) are set to back the new government-led [...]
Burnham vows to ‘get serious’ about slashing welfare bill July 27, 2026 Andy Burnham has vowed that he will “get serious” about slashing the welfare bill, as the Prime Minister hunts savings to boost defence spending. “We’ve got to get really serious as a country [about] getting the welfare bill down,” Burnham told the BBC in his first full interview since becoming Prime Minister last week. He [...]
As it happened: Stocks rise; oil falls after Trump pauses Iran strikes July 27, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog. It’s Monday and the FTSE 100 has made a positive start to the week, gaining more than 70 points on the market open after oil prices began to fall from last week’s two-month highs. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, slipped to $90.58 in early trading [...]
The City has the key that can unlock growth in every postcode July 27, 2026 Growth depends on a stable and competitive tax system, streamlined planning and proportionate regulation and the City will work with the new government to create those conditions, says Chris Hayward Now that the Burnham government is in place, the Prime Minister’s new Cabinet inherits a formidable set of challenges: regional inequality, stretched public finances, sluggish productivity and flatlining living standards. Addressing these challenges will require sustainable growth and unleashing entrepreneurial energy across the country. [...]
Scotland’s tax hike may have backfired as receipt falls July 26, 2026 The Scottish government’s decision to raise the top rate of income tax may have backfired, according to analysis by the lawyer Dan Neidle. Neidle’s research on tax data suggested that a decision to increase the top income tax rate to 48 per cent led to lower receipts. HMRC data from 2024-25 suggested that the Scottish [...]
Burnham ‘aware’ of Healey’s extra £9bn spending demands July 26, 2026 Andy Burnham has said he was “very aware” of John Healey’s demand to spend at least £9bn more a year on defence when he appointed him as Chancellor. The Prime Minister has said he would ensure Sir Keir Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan (Dip) was “fully funded” in an interview with the BBC as his “first [...]
Energy operator ‘flying blind’ as net zero push threatens hiked bills and blackouts July 25, 2026 The UK’s net zero push risks leaving the country with higher electricity bills and more susceptible to blackouts, according to a leaked report commissioned by the national grid system. The report, produced by energy consultancy firm Cornwall Insight for the National Energy System Operator (Neso) and shared with The Times by a whistleblower, revealed that [...]
Top investment bank: Starmer and Reeves left UK ‘no better off than they found it’ July 24, 2026 Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves failed to leave the economy in a better position than they found it, according to top investment bank, which said the administration’s fixation on “luxury beliefs” kneecapped its number one mission to revive Britain’s flagging growth. In a research note on Friday, Panmure Liberum said the former Prime Minister and [...]
Hilton, Butlins left fuming over business rates snub July 24, 2026 Hilton and Butlins have been left fuming after being snubbed by Andy Burnham’s pledge to slash business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues. The two hospitality giants said that hotels and resorts have been unfairly ignored by successive government interventions to cut the business rates bills of hospitality firms. Stephen Cassidy, senior vice president [...]