How are ‘bankrupt’ France’s borrowing costs still lower than ours? September 29, 2025 Locked in a protracted political crisis over the extent of its indebtedness – and with its deficit running at over five per cent of GDP – France has earned itself the unwanted monikers of ‘the sick man of Europe’ and the ‘new Greece’. Despite these woes, its borrowing costs remain lower than the UK’s. Ali [...]
French bosses round on ‘deadly’ wealth tax plans September 23, 2025 Some of France’s most high-profile entrepreneurs have rounded on a wealth tax proposal being touted by a party key to the flailing government’s fortune, warning it would risk “destroying the French economy” and sparking an exodus of the country’s wealthiest residents. Bernard Arnault, the billionaire chief executive of luxury behemoth LVMH and France’s richest man, [...]
Starmer and Macron face a shared Waterloo September 18, 2025 Facing crippling national debt and a politically divided public, both Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have proved unable to implement necessary economic reforms, and both are heading for a downfall driven by market forces, says Helen Thomas A country gripped by the highest debt levels since the Second World War; an unpopular leader facing a [...]
Borrowing costs surge as gilts close in on 27-year low August 26, 2025 Long-dated gilts plunged to a near 27-year low on Tuesday, bringing the UK’s fragile fiscal position into even sharper relief in the run-up to the government’s second Budget this Autumn. The yield on 30-year UK government bonds, which moves inversely to the price, jumped by as much as nine basis points to 5.63 per cent, [...]
Are nicotine pouches the future of Big Tobacco? August 14, 2025 Nicotine pouches are all the rage at the moment. Sometimes erroneously described as ‘snus’ – this only refers to tobacco-based products – the pouches are mainstay of Square Mile pubs, start-up offices and even Premier League football pitches. But are they a passing fad, or the new cornerstone of ‘Big Tobacco’? And, for an industry [...]
Small boats deal shows Labour’s technocrats have no clue what they’re doing August 11, 2025 Labour positioned itself as a party of technocrats, but the small boats deal shows they have no clue what they're doing, writes Eliot Wilson.
Immigration is top voter concern, exclusive poll says August 5, 2025 Reducing immigration became more important to voters in July, polling has shown, amid social instability over anti-migrant protests and more calls from top UK economists for a greater focus on getting Brits into the labour market before hiring overseas workers. Research by City AM/Freshwater Strategy has shown reducing immigration is the single most important issue [...]
Justice for Players: Fifa facing mega lawsuit following Diarra ruling August 4, 2025 Fifa and European national football associations are facing a huge class-action lawsuit after the Diarra ruling deemed the world governing body’s transfer regulations to be unlawful. Dutch foundation Justice for Players (JfP) is bringing the action on behalf of as many as 100,000 professional footballers who have played for clubs in EU member states and [...]
Lionesses’ semi-final drama breaks ITV viewing figures record July 23, 2025 The Lionesses’ dramatic semi-final win over Italy in the 2025 Women’s Euros drew a peak audience of 10.2m, according to TV broadcasting data. The game which saw England take on Le Azzurre averaged 8m viewers, delivering ITV’s highest average audience of 2025. The peak audience figure of 10.2m was achieved in the final minutes of [...]
British and Irish Lions should tour France and Argentina July 4, 2025 While watching the British and Irish Lions take on the Queensland Reds on Wednesday, I started thinking about what other sides across the world would make good opponents for the touring team. The Lions of late have always ventured to the same three nations – South Africa, Australia and New Zealand – and they will [...]