UK economy showing signs of ‘zombie apocalypse,’ says think tank January 5, 2026 The UK economy faces a “zombie apocalypse” in the coming year, as years of tough trading conditions force thousands of unproductive firms to the wall, an influential left-leaning think tank has predicted. The Resolution Foundation forecasts a “triple whammy” of multi-year increases in interest rates, energy prices and the minimum wage will lead to the [...]
Fines for uninsured drivers could rise under new plans January 4, 2026 Uninsured drivers may face higher fines and tougher penalties under new government plans to improve road safety and reduce the cost of car insurance. Under current rules, an uninsured driver may face a £300 fine and six points on their licence, which is less than the average annual insurance premium. The government is seeking to [...]
Starmer: I’ll still be prime minister going into 2027 January 4, 2026 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will still leading the country this time next year, dismissing concerns about his leadership, despite growing rumours about challenges within the party. The Labour leader said that frequent leadership changes were not in the national interest, taking note of the “chopping and changing” of prime minister under [...]
Starmer: UK not involved in Venezuela strikes January 3, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK was “not involved” in the US military strikes on Venezuela or the capture of Nicolas Maduro earlier this morning. Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Starmer said: “I haven’t [spoken to President Trump] and it’s obviously a fast-moving situation. We need to establish all the facts. “What [...]
City minister: FTSE 100 record proves London’s got its spark back January 2, 2026 The FTSE's 10,000 point milestone is a sign of global confidence in London's capital markets, writes City minister Lucy Rigby.
Embracing elective dictatorship could save Starmer January 2, 2026 Starmer's government should be the most powerful in the West. To save the Labour party he must remember that in 2026, writes John McTernan.
Knight Frank appointed for bumper Brighton Palace Pier sale January 2, 2026 Knight Frank has been instructed on the sale of Brighton Palace Pier, two months after the Grade II-listed landmark’s owners revealed their plans to offload the amusement park amid a barrage of economic headwinds. The Brighton Pier Group appointed the property giant to seek a buyer for the coastal attraction, which its operator said in [...]
Activity in UK’s embattled manufacturing sector hits 15-month high January 2, 2026 The UK’s embattled manufacturing sector took another small step towards recovery at the end of 2025 thanks to an influx of new orders. The latest UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from S&P Global UK hit a 15-month high as the industry continued to grow for the second consecutive month. The PMI reading hit 50.6, up [...]
Housing market ended 2025 on ‘softer note’ after ‘resilient’ year January 2, 2026 The UK housing market rounded off 2025 on a softer note after remaining “resilient” through a volatile year, according to Nationwide’s latest house price index. Annual house price growth slowed to 0.6 per cent in December from 1.8 per cent in November, with a 0.4 per cent fall in prices. This took the average UK [...]
Labour ‘quietly hammering’ workers as pensioners benefit, think tank warns January 2, 2026 The Labour government is “quietly hammering” workers following the Autumn Budget’s stealth tax raid while pensioners and those on benefits are set to enjoy a jump in income, a think tank has said. In the November Budget, Rachel Reeves extended the freeze on income tax thresholds until 2031 – a move which is viewed as [...]