UK-India trade deal will be major boost for financial services July 25, 2025 Yesterday, as the UK-India Free Trade Agreement was signed, it marked a landmark moment forBritain’s financial services sector. Not only is this the government delivering a trade deal that was talked about for many years butnever happened – it is delivering a real strategic partnership with the world’s fastest-growing majoreconomy. It’s an agreement that perfectly [...]
UK and India sign £6bn trade deal July 24, 2025 Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have signed a trade deal worth an estimated £6bn, with the UK Prime Minister hailing the landmark agreement a “historic day” for Britain and India. The trade pact – the result of over three years of negotiations – will see tariffs on the whisky and cars that [...]
Goldman Sachs boss: London finance lead ‘fragile’ July 23, 2025 London’s position as a global financial centre is at risk from years of anti-business policies that are pushing talent and capital abroad, the boss of Goldman Sachs has warned. David Solomon highlighted a damaging combination of Brexit, the UK’s tax burden, constrictive regulation, and the recent decision to abolish the non-dom regime have all harmed [...]
UK sanctions 25 targets in illegal migration crackdown July 23, 2025 The UK government has banned 25 people smugglers, fraudsters, and bankers in the first set of sanctions aimed at curbing illegal migration, putting pressure on countries across Europe and the Middle East to follow suit. The Foreign Office has disclosed the names of 24 individuals and one company it has accused of facilitating people-smuggling and [...]
One month on, the wheels are already coming off the government’s industrial strategy July 23, 2025 Today marks one month since the publication of the government’s shiny new industrial strategy. Businesses everywhere could hardly contain their excitement after hearing the scale of Downing Street’s ambitions. So, what has happened since? Here are some of the highlights. A biodiesel plant in Lincolnshire has been closed, as well as a nearby bioethanol plant. [...]
Starmer must face down the self-righteous clowns on his back benches July 23, 2025 Keir Starmer’s attempt to select compliant MPs has backfired, producing a rebellious and ill-informed parliamentary party that has already successfully vetoed its own government’s economic policy, says Paul Ormerod A fundamental feature of the social and economic world is that intentions are not the same as outcomes. Morgan McSweeney and his colleagues exercised very close [...]
Astrazeneca plots huge $50bn US investment after ditching UK expansion plans July 22, 2025 Astrazeneca has unveiled plans to invest as much as $50bn in manufacturing and R&D in the US after ditching its UK expansion plans in a blow to the government’s industrial strategy. The Cambridge-based pharma giant said it will spend the huge sum over the next five years, including on a new manufacturing facility in Virginia, [...]
Labour’s war on business is a gift to Nigel Farage July 22, 2025 Labour’s paralysis is driving business away from Britain and paving a path to power for Nigel Farage and Reform, says Alexander Temerko The government of Keir Starmer has internalised a culture of hesitation so completely that inaction is no longer perceived as a flaw, but as a mode of governance. Over the past year, a [...]
Labour to target rule-breaking ministers with financial sanctions July 21, 2025 Rule-breaking ministers will be targeted with sanctions and a new watchdog will be set up to improve standards in public life under new reforms introduced by the Labour government. As part of efforts to improve behaviour across politics, Keir Starmer has replaced an independent watchdog for former ministers – the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments [...]
Wealth tax would be a ‘dangerous road to go down’, BNP investment chief warns July 21, 2025 The chief investment officer at BNP Paribas Wealth Management has become the latest senior banker to warn over plans to introduce a wealth tax in the UK, describing the move a “dangerous road to go down.” In an interview with City AM, Edmund Shing said the move was likely to discourage entrepreneurs from starting a [...]