Poundland owner ‘commits to protecting jobs’ after pressure from business secretary Retail Poundland’s owner has pledged to protect jobs at the embattled retailer after pressure from the business secretary and mounting political backlash over its handling of a sale process, a source told City AM. Gordon Brothers, the US investment firm which owns Poundland, met with Jonathan Reynolds this afternoon to discuss the future of the company [...]
Burnham urges Poundland owner to work with government to save jobs Retail Andy Burnham has said Poundland’s owners must work with the government on a “practical solution” to secure the future of its workers and shops. The Prime Minister criticised Gordon Brothers, the US investment firm which owns the retailer, for failing to engage with the “viable propositions” which have been tabled by a number of bidders. [...]
Poundland owner ‘not acting in best interests’ of workers, says No10 Retail Poundland owner Gordon Brothers is “not acting in the best interests” of the discount retailer’s staff and stores as it hurtles towards collapse, Downing Street has said. The Boston-based investment firm, which has faced intense criticism over its attempted sale of Poundland, must explain why it has rejected solvent offers to rescue the troubled retailer [...]
Jenrick lends support to Poundland suitors November 3, 2026 Reform UK’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick has revealed he is supporting potential bidders for discount retailer Poundland as he criticised the group’s “greedy” owner Gordon Brothers for pushing the business towards insolvency. Over the weekend, Jenrick suggested the government should intervene in the possible insolvency of Poundland, which would put some 12,000 jobs at risk, [...]
Firms forced to give staff ‘government approved’ advice on joining a union October 28, 2026 Businesses will be forced to tell their staff how to join a union at least once a year under fresh plans drawn up by the government to boost participation in organised labour. The government has decided the rules, due to come into force at the start of next year, will apply to employers of all [...]
‘Moral hazard’ – Lawyers warn SFO whistleblowing rewards could backfire October 12, 2026 The UK government has launched a consultation on reforming whistleblowing laws, seeking to give the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) powers to reward individuals who report economic crime, a move experts view with scepticism. On Monday, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and minister for the future of work, Kate Dearden, revealed the government’s plans for a “whistleblowing [...]
Midday Markets: Burnham’s welcome crack down on pesky non-competes October 9, 2026 The Midday Market report is a new newsletter from City AM, giving you fresh analysis on the City’s biggest stories straight into your inbox every lunchtime. Today, Ali Lyon outlines the positive case for Andy Burnham’s clampdown on non-competes and lengthy notice periods. You know something is wrong with the upper end of Britain’s labour [...]
Jonathan Reynolds weighs Chinese EV tariffs after sales soar October 5, 2026 Jonathan Reynolds is reportedly weighing up whether to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs as the business secretary grapples with a surge in imports. Ministers are concerned that Chinese carmakers are “dumping” subsidised vehicles into the UK, the Times reported, and are considering adopting the 45 per cent tariff levied on Chinese cars by the EU. [...]
Exclusive: Mayors can use tourist tax to ramp up borrowing, Burnham tells business September 30, 2026 Andy Burnham has looked to justify his new uncapped “tourist tax” to business chiefs by claiming it will allow mayors to ramp up borrowing, City AM understands. In various meetings at Labour’s Business Day, top business groups were told by ministers the so-called overnight stay levy will let mayors take on more debt and use [...]
UK government opens door to AI laws as safety warnings mount September 15, 2026 The UK government has left the door open to tougher AI regulation after the companies building the world’s most powerful models called for slower development, fearing safety has fallen behind. City AM understands ministers believe AI is already covered by laws spanning data protection, competition, product safety and online safety, but accept those rules may [...]