Mel Stride vows ‘Big Bang’ as he targets careful City Politics Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is set to promise a new “Big Bang” on City regulation in a speech at a Conservative conference this weekend harking back to Margaret Thatcher’s financial reforms. Stride is set to decry the lack of risk-taking across the UK economy and suggest regulation has been a “vast yoke” on businesses. [...]
Switch focus from DEI to local needs, Brits tell business Business British businesses need to become more local and focus less on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) hiring practices, according to a new report. A major survey from SEC Newgate UK has revealed a majority of Brits think companies are doing too little to prioritise local food production, manufacturing and energy independence. The report also shows companies [...]
Trump’s DEI crackdown sparks ethics exodus across UK businesses Business US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on initiatives such as diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) and environmental sustainability has drifted across the Atlantic. According to research by law firm Freeths, over half of UK businesses (54 per cent) have changed the way they approach ethical policies and practices. While over a quarter (28 per cent) have [...]
Black interns fill Emirates to mark charity milestone October 24, 2025 Thousands of black professionals packed out the Emirates Stadium on Thursday to celebrate the 10,000 Interns Foundation achieving its mission just five years on from being established in 2020. The non-profit organisation, which works with major employers to improve opportunities for underrepresented talent Britain, managed to fill the Arsenal ground with 10,000 current interns, alumni [...]
Tories slam Bank of England for ‘outrageous’ internship scheme October 22, 2025 The Bank of England is facing criticism over an internship scheme open only to candidates of “black or mixed black heritage”, with Tory frontbenchers labelling the approach “outrageous.” The Bank has drawn the attention of senior MPs as well as Tesla owner Elon Musk for advertising a position that pays £96.15 per day over eight [...]
FCA’s diversity requirements go ‘far beyond remit’, report warns October 21, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other public sector diversity initiatives go “far beyond” remits set by legal requirements, a report has warned, prompting Reform UK to vow to reset systems to reward “talent and merit alone”. Analysis in a paper by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has suggested that diversity policies advanced by [...]
Fewer than 1 in 5 senior finance roles held by women September 22, 2025 Women make up less than 20 per cent of senior leadership roles at UK financial services businesses, highlighting the persistent gender gap at the top of the industry. According to new data by employment law firm Fox & Partners, out of the 66,860 senior executives in UK financial services businesses, only 12,430 are held by [...]
City watchdog sacked 12 for misconduct amid crackdown on firms August 13, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority sacked 12 workers as a result of misconduct allegations, City AM can reveal. Official figures show nearly 40 members of staff were formally disciplined by the City watchdog between 2022 and 2024 due to misconduct. A dozen of these were dismissed from their post with 10 handed a “final written warning”. [...]
Debate: Is the civil service’s working class internship scheme a step forward? August 6, 2025 As of October, the civil service's main internship scheme will be restricted to applicants from a working class background. Is this progress?
Barclays follows HSBC in ditching net zero banks club August 1, 2025 Barclays has become the second London-based bank to exit the net zero banks club as the financial services industry continues to row back on climate policies. The FTSE 100 giant – which recorded a £1bn profit jump for the second quarter – said on Friday the UN-convened Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) “no longer has [...]