Government to invest £3m in five new cricket domes Sport Business The Government is investing £3m into the construction of five new cricket domes as plans to increase participation in the sport ramp up. The state contribution will help communities in Birmingham, Derby, Newcastle, Bolton and Nottingham after an initial three domes were opened in the West Midlands, Bradford and Lancashire. A further £1.5m was committed [...]
Vulnerable bank customers could face ‘higher barriers’ to redress in Treasury overhaul Banking Warnings are being raised over a planned Treasury shake-up of financial services rules after an impact assessment revealed vulnerable customers could be excluded from receiving compensation when wronged. The government unveiled its Enhancing Financial Services Bill at the King’s Speech, which paved the way for reform to consumer redress protections through changes in the Consumer Credit [...]
As it happened: Stocks jump on peace hopes; Reeves hit by falling retail sales and surge in borrowing Markets Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Oil prices remain volatile and heightened as peace talks in the Middle East continue to run into stumbling blocks. Brent crude futures were up to $104 this morning following reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader was ordering for the nation’s enriched uranium reserves to remain in [...]
The Square Mile gets its fourth City Minister – could it soon get its fifth? May 20, 2026 Four City minsters later, in this week’s column Samuel Norman takes a look at the blow to the Square Mile from the latest reshuffle. Also on the agenda: Revolut’s plans for the high net worth faces off with ambitions of incumbents. “Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes…” So goes the lyrics [...]
Andy Burnham confirms Westminster run as Wes Streeting resigns from government May 14, 2026 Andy Burnham has declared his intention to stand in a by-election after a sitting Labour MP quit to make way for him. The current Mayor of Manchester will seek permission from Labour’s ruling body to stand in the Makerfield constituency after Josh Simons announced he would vacate the seat. In a statement, Burnham said: “Millions [...]
Government urged to accelerate review of ‘disruptive’ EV sales targets May 13, 2026 A leading London-listed car dealership has called on the government to speed up its review of electric vehicle sales targets, which it said “disrupts” the car sales market. AIM-listed Vertu Motors has said the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate scheme is hitting its profits and “distorting” its volumes and margins. The scheme was brought in [...]
Local elections 2026: who will win in Hammersmith and Fulham Council? May 6, 2026 Labour won 40 of 50 seats in 2022 and remains favourite to hold Hammersmith and Fulham, but two councillor defections to the Greens signal growing pressure. Council tax has risen 4.99 per cent to £1,009 at Band D, the borough faces steep funding cuts by 2028/29, and Hammersmith Bridge remains closed to vehicles with a [...]
Government urged to reform ‘growth killer’ business rates April 27, 2026 Britain’s largest industry body has called on the government to urgently reform business rates, which it says is a “growth killer”. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said the government should keep its manifesto pledge to reform the business rates system as a matter of urgency. Business rates is a tax determined by the [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Stocks jittery as Trump eyes Iran ‘grand bargain’; Reeves to meet Bessent April 15, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Hopes of peace talks in the Middle East were back on the table this morning, though markets weren’t holding there breathe after weeks of bait-and-switches. Donald Trump described the war with Iran as “close to over” during an interview with Fox news. “I think it’s [...]
IMF: Middle East war risks sparking government debt doom loop April 14, 2026 Ballooning levels of government debt have left the global economy dangerously exposed to the aftereffects of the Middle East war, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which warned a fresh wave of inflation could trigger a historic bond crisis. In its latest Financial Stability Report, the financial body said that countries’ inability to rein [...]