Labour urged to block Chinese embassy amid spy row October 20, 2025 The Labour government has been urged to shut down China’s application for its new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site amid fears the country poses a threat to UK national security. Senior Tory MPs Alicia Kearns and Tom Tugendhat, who allege they were spied on by China, called on the government to block an [...]
Spy case suspect was stopped with suitcase full of cash on return from China October 19, 2025 A suspect in the China spy case was carrying a “suitcase full of cash” upon being stopped by police under terrorism laws after flying into Heathrow from China. Academic Christopher Berry, was discovered with £4,000 when he was intercepted at the airport in February 2023, almost six weeks before he was formally arrested on suspicion [...]
Thousands march through London to protest digital ID plans October 18, 2025 Thousands of protesters have marched through central London to show their opposition to digital ID plans. Under strict police conditions, demonstrators chanted and waved banners along a route from Marble Arch to Whitehall on Saturday afternoon. The Prime Minister announced in September that a digital ID system would be introduced in 2029 and would be [...]
Conservatives will attempt to block Chagos deal over China spying fears October 18, 2025 Conservative MPs will launch a last-ditch attempt to block the Chagos Islands deal next week due to fears it will be used by China to spy on the UK. First reported in the Telegraph, the Tories plan to force a vote in Parliament over whether to effectively end the deal by holding up payments to [...]
China threatens ‘consequences’ over London embassy delay October 17, 2025 China has unleashed a threat of “consequences” over the latest delay to approving its application for a highly controversial new embassy at the Royal Mint Court site in London, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the UK and the world’s second largest economy. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian has blasted Keir Starmer for failing to [...]
Over half of firms would stop hiring if Reeves hikes taxes, survey finds October 17, 2025 More than half of businesses would cut staff or stop hiring if taxes are hiked at this year’s Budget, a leading survey of accountants has found, a fresh warning that Chancellor Rachel Reeves risks inflicting further damage on the UK jobs market. Reeves has publicly said that she was considering making tax hikes at this [...]
Security adviser made ‘independent decision’ to use Labour policy in Chinese spy statement October 16, 2025 A Labour minister has claimed the deputy national security adviser made an “independent decision” to use what appeared to be the political party manifesto’s wording in his witness statement provided to the the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding the alleged collapsed spying case. Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward doubled down on political claims that the [...]
Autumn Budget: Wealth tax would drive £100bn out of UK economy October 16, 2025 Rachel Reeves is facing renewed calls to rule out any form of wealth tax in the Autumn Budget with concerns such a move would drive £100bn out of the UK economy. The Chancellor confirmed on Wednesday higher taxes on the nation’s wealthiest would be a “part of the story” in the Budget. But fresh research [...]
Reeves faces ‘Groundhog Day’ as Budget tax hikes loom October 16, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves risks having to hike taxes ever higher in forthcoming budgets if she leaves herself with £9.9bn in headroom, a joint report by Barclays and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned. The research has suggested that spending cuts would send a “crucial” signal to the bond markets that the government had [...]
Autumn Budget: Reeves must focus on growth, not ‘gimmicks’ October 16, 2025 Ahead of the Autumn Budget, City Reporter Samuel Norman sits down with top industry names for a Budget Briefing. This week, the chief executive of founders club Helm calls for bold innovation policies took take centre stage. Chancellor Rachel Reeves should use her second Autumn Budget to make bolder swings for the UK’s innovation economy [...]