A bank tax hangs in the balance at the local election ballot May 6, 2026 As speculation of a leadership challenge – or sweeping reshuffle – surrounds the forthcoming local elections, in this week’s column Samuel Norman looks at what a change in Chancellor would mean for the banking sector. It is no secret that Thursday’s local elections carry a weight far heavier than the fate of a few neighbourhood [...]
‘Politically toxic’ holiday tax could turn voters against Labour, hospitality leaders warn May 4, 2026 The “politically toxic” holiday tax could turn hordes of voters against Labour if it is pushed through, hospitality leaders have warned the government. The proposed tax could threaten the fragile majorities of a host of Labour big beasts including health secretary Wes Streeting and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) has claimed. [...]
Bond market alert: Burnham and Streeting turn up leader rumours May 2, 2026 Bond markets are on alert as fresh reports have suggested that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and health secretary Wes Streeting are preparing leadership bids. City bank and analysts at the likes of Deutsche Bank and Jefferies have flagged the risks of a change in leadership and the potential for looser fiscal rules. Deutsche Bank’s Sanjay [...]
Burnham backs England bid to host Ryder Cup for first time in three decades March 18, 2026 The Ryder Cup could return to England for the first time in 30 years if a bid backed by £70m, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Team Europe champion Tommy Fleetwood is successful. Bolton is planning to bid for the 2035 Ryder Cup, in what will be the first edition of the intercontinental golf competition [...]
Burnham would ‘probably’ have won by-election, says Powell February 28, 2026 Andy Burnham would have won the Gorton and Denton by-election, Labour’s deputy leader said as she called for the party to make more use of the Greater Manchester mayor. Labour fell to third in the previously rock-solid seat on Thursday, with the Greens winning a fifth seat in Parliament and Reform UK coming second. The [...]
Annabel’s profit trebles as Mayfair club defies hospitality gloom February 16, 2026 One of London’s best-known private members clubs has shrugged off wider hospitality gloom after posting a near-tripling of profit. Mayfair-based Annabel’s, which has been based on Berkeley Square since the 1960s, toasted a pre-tax profit of £12.4m in the year to January 2025, a rise of 184 per cent on the previous year. Revenue over [...]
Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham criticise pub tax raid February 12, 2026 Two prominent potential leadership challengers to Sir Keir Starmer have attacked the government’s tax regime for putting hospitality businesses, and particularly pubs, under serious pressure. Angela Rayner acknowledged that the hike to the minimum wage has put pressure on hospitality businesses, and said that the government needs to “start relieving” the sector. Starmer’s former deputy [...]
Manchester United owner Ratcliffe may face FA charge over immigrants rant February 12, 2026 Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could face a Football Association charge over his widely-criticised comments that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham have already condemned Ratcliffe’s remarks and now the FA is set to examine whether they have brought the [...]
Keir Starmer must find ‘more inclusive way’ to run Labour, says Andy Burnham February 10, 2026 Andy Burnham gave Sir Keir Starmer a lukewarm endorsement on Tuesday, urging the Prime Minister to lead a stronger and more united government amid continued questions about his leadership. The Mayor of Greater Manchester called for stability, but argued that this could only be secured through “a more inclusive way of running the party”. “We [...]
Gorton and Denton by-election will be a snapshot of Britain in chaos February 5, 2026 The upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election is a four-way fight with each party pitching itself as the best way to block the other, says Helen Thomas The upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election is shaping up to be one of the most frenzied of recent times. By-elections are often used by voters to send a message [...]