Labour warned UK at risk of foreign tech giants ‘pulling the plug’ September 18, 2026 Labour has “no plan” if foreign technology companies or governments cut Britain off from systems underpinning critical services, the Liberal Democrats have warned, after ministers acknowledged the risks posed by the UK’s reliance on overseas tech. Victoria Collins, the Lib Dems’ tech spokesperson, accused the government of handing “contract after contract to foreign tech oligarchs” [...]
Mark my words: tax rises are coming September 18, 2026 After Rachel Reeves’ tax raids of over £40bn in her 2024 Budget and £26bn in the 2025 edition, it should be inconceivable that John Healey will come back for more. Yet all the sights point in that direction, says Emma Revell No City AM reader could be unaware that Britain’s current economic outlook is not [...]
Ignorance is no excuse for Labour’s economic failures September 18, 2026 John Healey is copying Rachel Reeves’ technique of gaslighting the nation into thinking he had no idea what the bind markets and OBR have been screaming at every fiscal event, says Tom Harwood It feels like “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher should have been irritatingly on repeat every morning this week. Why? [...]
Why it could now cost more to sack an executive in the UK than FRANCE September 17, 2026 Labour’s overhaul of employment rights, particularly the removal of the unfair dismissal compensation cap, could leave British businesses facing a higher bill for dismissing executives than their European counterparts. As the government pushed its Employment Rights Bill into law, it ditched the £118,000 compensation limit on unfair dismissal claims to appease unions after the House [...]
Andrew Griffith tells Burnham to rule out Budget tax rises September 16, 2026 Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith will urge Labour to rule out further tax rises on businesses at next month’s Budget, as the Conservatives set out plans to cut the compliance burden facing small firms and the self-employed. In his first major speech since taking the role, Griffith will call on Andy Burnham and chancellor John Healey [...]
Former Anthropic researcher behind ‘AI could kill us’ warning called to UK parliament September 16, 2026 Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon has been invited to give evidence to parliament following his stark warnings over the threat posed by AI, City AM understands. Liam Byrne, chair of the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, told City AM that MPs have asked Coxon to appear as part of a parliamentary examination of AI [...]
Burnham considers giving mayors ‘control over water companies’ September 16, 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to create nine regional bodies led by mayors that could bring water companies under public control. Under the proposals, regional leaders would sit on boards alongside public health officials, customers and environmental campaigners. Alongside setting company objectives, it is understood the boards will collect customer feedback through consultation mechanisms modelled [...]
Home secretary donor reprimanded by accountancy regulator September 16, 2026 An accountancy firm director was severely reprimanded by the regulator and handed a £14,000 fine for breaching accountancy standards. Andeep Mangal, director of Birmingham-based accountancy firm Thapers Chartered Accountants, received a severe reprimand and a £14,000 fine on Wednesday for two separate allegations, and was ordered to pay a further £11,455 in costs to the [...]
British AI firm Synthesia warns ‘sci-fi’ fears risk choking UK tech September 16, 2026 British AI firm Synthesia has warned that “sci-fi” fears over AI could lead to poorly designed regulation, as pressure grows on ministers to toughen the UK’s AI rules. Alexandru Voica, head of corporate affairs and policy at the London-based AI video company, told City AM there was “no evidence” for claims that AI was already [...]
From due diligence to market mapping: Private capital is leaning on AI September 16, 2026 Private equity and venture capital firms are handing over administrative and back-office tasks to artificial intelligence agents in order to shift staff focus to more pressing matters. AI is becoming increasingly embedded across the UK private capital industry, with nine in ten firms now using the technology to support at least one business activity, according [...]