Can Elon Musk really sway UK politics? January 20, 2025 Elon Musk has been loud and proud about his intentions to influence UK politics. But will it actually work, asks Bill Sedat Frater.
FCA chair: Our growth push will test UK’s risk appetite January 20, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) push to slash red tape and unleash growth in the City will test the UK’s appetite for risk, its chair has warned, accepting that two of its new proposals could open the door to more fraud and mortgage defaults. Writing in City AM today, Ashley Alder said the FCA will [...]
Starmer’s value for money office might be a waste of money, MPs warn January 20, 2025 Keir Starmer’s new value for money office might be a waste of money, an influential group of MPs have warned in a sceptical report. The newly-established Office for Value for Money (OVfM), which Labour pledged to set up ahead of the election, is supposed to improve government competitiveness and crackdown on waste. But concerns have [...]
Labour’s appeal to regulators is about blame-shifting, not growth January 20, 2025 Labour has appealed to the regulators for ideas to boost the economy, but Britain can’t regulate its way to growth, writes Eliot Wilson After six months of a Labour government, it would be hard to argue the economy is healthy. The economy flatlined in July, August and September, the hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions [...]
UK retail sales plunged in December as Budget fallout spread January 17, 2025 UK retail sales dropped during December, despite expectations of a Christmas bounce as consumers pulled back on spending. In a worrying sign for the economy, retail sales fell 0.3 per cent in December. Analysts had pencilled in growth of 0.4 per cent. November’s retail sales growth was also revised down by the Office for National [...]
Chinese embassy: ‘Alarm bells’ over security fears for London mega-site January 16, 2025 MPs have warned of “serious alarm bells” for the UK’s security over reports senior cabinet ministers have intervened on a Chinese planning application for a huge new London embassy. Foreign secretary David Lammy, who visited China last year, and home secretary Yvette Cooper have indicated their support for the proposed new 20,000 square metre mega-site [...]
No need for City minister to recuse herself over past lobbying, No10 says January 16, 2025 There is no need for new City minister Emma Reynolds to recuse herself from any duties because of her lobbying past, Downing Street has said. The Wycombe MP has taken over the Treasury minister role from Tulip Siddiq, who stepped down over allegations linked to her aunt’s political movement in Bangladesh. Questions had been raised [...]
Former BBC Dragons’ Den star backs UK AI action plan January 16, 2025 Former Dragon’s Den investor Piers Linney has backed the UK’s recently announced ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, calling it a necessary step to position Britain as a global hub for the technology. The government’s plan, announced by Keir Starmer on Monday but developed under the leadership of tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, set out a strategy to [...]
Malaysian firm YTL to invest £4bn in UK and former Concorde development January 15, 2025 The Malaysian firm YTL has announced plans to invest £4bn in its UK businesses and a brownfield housing development in Bristol at the site of the former Concorde hangars. The firm will spend £2bn on redeveloping the former Filton airfield in South Gloucestershire into an arena and housing development north of Bristol, the UK government [...]
No 10 won’t confirm new City Minister’s role in China policy January 15, 2025 Downing Street has declined to confirm whether new City minister Emma Reynolds will be able to make decisions about the UK’s relationship with China. She was appointed to the post of economic secretary to the Treasury yesterday, after Tulip Siddiq resigned over allegations of corruption linked to the former government in Bangladesh. Bloomberg reported that [...]