US financial firms pledge investment into the UK before Trump visit September 13, 2025 US financial firms have announced investments in the UK worth £1.25 billion before Donald Trump’s state visit next week. Citi Group has confirmed it will invest £1.1 billion across its UK operations, while S&P Global will put £4 million into their Manchester offices. PayPal has confirmed a £150 million investment in product innovations and growth [...]
Thousands gather in London as police brace for protests September 13, 2025 Thousands of people have gathered in London for a rally organised by activist Tommy Robinson. The “Unite the Kingdom” event takes place in Whitehall on Saturday afternoon but huge crowds have already massed near Waterloo Station with people wearing and waving union flags and the St George cross. Meanwhile, a counter-protest, dubbed March Against Fascism, [...]
No 10 aware of Mandelson emails before Starmer defended him September 13, 2025 Officials at No 10 and the Foreign Office were aware of the damning emails between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein before Starmer defended him at Prime Minister’s Questions. The Foreign Office was allegedly sent details of the emails between the pair on Tuesday and passed them on to Downing Street, two days before Starmer withdrew [...]
Barclays boss: UK banks are taxed too much September 12, 2025 Ahead of the Autumn Budget, Barclays’ chief executive has called on the government to curb pay rises for public sector workers and to avoid increasing taxes on banks. Speaking to the Financial Times, CS Venkatakrishnan said “we need to find a way to curb wage inflation,” and emphasised the need to curb expenditure at the [...]
UK economy sees zero growth amid Labour’s summer troubles September 12, 2025 The UK economy failed to grow in July, according to official data, with the Labour government struggling to drive growth despite its core commitment to do so. The Labour government has doubled down on its “growth mission” by making a string of new economics-focused appointments across ministerial and advisory roles, and establishing a business-friendly board [...]
Spotlight turns to FTSE 100 clients of Peter Mandelson’s advisory firm after government sacking September 12, 2025 After Peter Mandelson’s dramatic ousting from government over his close relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the firms that chose to partner with his consultancy Global Counsel have come under the spotlight. More than two dozen major corporations hired Global Counsel to conduct lobbying services over the past two years, disclosures from the Office of the [...]
Labour using ‘sticking plasters’ and failing to attract foreign investment September 11, 2025 The Labour government is opting to use quick “sticking plasters” which fail to affect long-term change to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a new report. The report from Caudwell Strong Britain, a research project of think tank Council on Geostrategy, argues that the government needs to remove the structural barriers that hinder foreign [...]
Week in Business: Businesses flee high-tax Britain September 11, 2025 On the same day that Reeves said "there's no growth without investment", a pharma giant pulled its £1bn London investment plans.
‘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 [...]
Rachel Reeves explores ‘pro-growth tax reforms’ to business rates September 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves will explore “fixing” cliff-edge business rates, which make small businesses pay higher taxes upon opening a second property, as part of reforms she has described as “pro-growth.” The Chancellor is reviewing changes to the small business rates relief, with a decision expected to be announced at the Autumn Budget on 26 November. Treasury [...]