The anatomy of a bank tax: what can the UK learn from Europe? October 26, 2026 With days to go until John Healey delivers a Budget expected to target banks with a cash raid, Samuel Norman looks at the UK bank tax framework and other experiments across Europe. For years City lobbyists managed to bat away demands for a bank tax hike. As Chancellor, despite delivering two tax-heavy Budgets, Rachel Reeves [...]
The major Budget questions facing John Healey in four charts October 26, 2026 John Healey faces several tests in delivering a Budget that keeps the UK economy on course to grow. Mauricio Alencar looks at the questions he will have to answer at the despatch box. Investors are heading into the upcoming Budget with a lot of unknowns. John Healey faces a test in balancing expectations between different [...]
Rolls-Royce, Babcock shares jump on Healey’s defence borrowing plan October 26, 2026 Defence stocks were handed a boost on Monday morning following reports that Chancellor John Healey was set to borrow billions to invest in the military at the forthcoming Budget. Rolls-Royce was up nearly two per cent in early trading to 1,184.40p, while Melrose was up 1.4 per cent. Both are key players in aerospace and [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 up on defence boost; oil falls back as Trump weighs Iran deal October 26, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 live blog. The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a major rally on the back of booming defence stocks ahead of an expected investment from the government at the forthcoming Budget. This is also coming alongside a modest relax in oil prices on new diplomatic hopes in the Middle [...]
Budget 2026: Will Chancellor help or hinder football finances? October 26, 2026 While the Autumn Budget always prompts speculation in finance, hospitality or retail, its impact on football should not be underestimated. Clubs are still reckoning with the impact of the previous new measures in recent Budget announcements, with even more shortly on their way. At a time when the books of England’s biggest clubs are under [...]
Healey vows AI will not ‘leave workers behind’ in £600m Budget package October 24, 2026 John Healey has vowed not to let AI “leave workers behind” as he unveiled more than £600m in investment ahead of next week’s Budget, amid mounting concerns over AI-driven job losses. The Treasury will commit £10m a year to studying the impact of AI on employment, alongside hundreds of millions of pounds for cyber security, [...]
Autumn Budget 2026: What does the bond market want from Healey? October 23, 2026 John Healey is not expected to rock the boat in his maiden Budget next week. Looking at the combustible bond market, that’s probably just as well, writes Ali Lyon. John Healey is, the well-worn cliche goes, walking a tightrope. Boxed in from three directions, the Chancellor could certainly have hoped for an easier backdrop in [...]
How John Healey clamped down on Treasury speculation October 23, 2026 Since entering Downing Street in July, John Healey has faced criticism from some business chiefs over an economic vision that seems similar to Rachel Reeves. But one aspect of running the Treasury has split Healey from his predecessor more than any other: keeping a lid on Budget rumours. After being appointed Chancellor, City AM can [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 slides as oil surges to five-month high October 23, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog. It’s Friday morning and London’s blue-chip index is set for a flat open as pressures on markets persist. The price of a barrel of oil has surged to $114 per barrel, trading at its highest level in over five months. It follows escalating Houthi attacks on [...]
Getting closer to the EU is a sop to Burnham’s socialist backbenchers October 23, 2026 Andy Burnham wants to undo Brexit because he’s given on the supply side reforms Britain needs for growth, says Joseph Dinnage October is always grim. The temperature drops, the rain begins and the darkness sets in. This month is poised to be even drearier than usual. In a week’s time, we’ll have John Healey’s first Budget. Healey [...]