‘No doubt’ foreign office would have advised against Mandelson appointment September 11, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sacked Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US after more leaked emails brought fresh focus on his close personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the emails “show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from [...]
This is why Starmer’s recent reshuffle is doomed to fail September 11, 2025 Keir Starmer’s personnel switch-up is an attempt to get a firmer grip on his government’s economic policymaking. Helen Thomas lays out why it won’t work. Keir Starmer’s latest cabinet reshuffle was billed as a decisive break from his choppy first year in power. Yet this is less a bold national reset than a desperate rebrand. [...]
Labour should be honest about the tax rises to come September 11, 2025 Trying to raise tens of billions of pounds in revenue without touching the three taxes that account for the lion’s share of the total tax haul is like trying to build a bookcase without any nails, screws or glue. You could try it, but you’ll soon regret the attempt. As things stand, Rachel Reeves is [...]
Merck warns UK is ‘not internationally competitive’ as it scraps £1bn London research centre September 10, 2025 Merck has pulled out of a planned £1bn London drug research centre in the latest blow to the government’s growth agenda. The US pharma giant is to lay off 127 staff alongside abandoning the construction project, which had been set to open in King’s Cross in 2027. The firm warned the UK would lag behind [...]
Starmer backs Mandelson amid calls for his sacking September 10, 2025 Keir Starmer has said he has “full confidence” in the UK’s ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson despite calls from his own backbenches for him to be sacked over new revelations about his links to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein. The prime minister said “due process” was followed around Mandelson’s appointment to his key ambassadorial role [...]
Chancellor concedes higher taxes could hit economic growth September 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged higher taxes could impact economic growth as she seeks to increase private investment in the UK. Speaking at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association summit, the chancellor told investors she had to hike taxes in her maiden budget in order to place finances on a “firm footing and [...]
‘Embarrassed’ Mandelson: More Epstein letters ‘going to come out’ September 10, 2025 Lord Mandelson has apologised for the “embarrassing” letter he wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in which he referred to the convicted sex trafficker as his “best pal”, saying he “regrets very deeply” continuing his relationship with him after he was convicted. The former Labour spin doctor, often referred to as ‘the Prince of Darkness’, said that [...]
NBA Europe set for step forwards as league chiefs near green light September 10, 2025 Today in a New York hotel, the NBA’s executive and representatives of all 30 teams’ ownership will hold the third of their three scheduled annual meetings. On the agenda will be various matters of concern to the world’s biggest basketball league, but the most intriguing item is its plans for the sport in Europe. Subject [...]
No 10 establishes ‘budget board’ to mend fractured business relations September 10, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has created a “budget board” of ministers and officials in a bid to mend broken relations with businesses and the City – and tighten his grip on economic policy. The group will meet weekly to co-ordinate ‘pro growth policies’ ahead of the looming Autumn Budget on 26 November. It is also expected [...]
Rayner scandal piles pressure on HMRC as tax surveillance force swells September 9, 2025 HMRC has increased the number of staff trained to physically monitor suspected tax evaders, as pressure mounts over Angela Rayner’s £40,000 stamp duty scandal. Official figures, obtained via Freedom of Information (FOI) and shared with City AM, show that 337 staff are now trained in covert surveillance, up from 171 people two years ago, in [...]