Close Brothers: How the motor finance scandal reshaped one of ‘Europe’s least cost-efficient lenders’
No prosperity without national security Opinion National security is the cornerstone on which all successful economies are built. It is the protective layer around both our society and our economy, and it is what enables economic activity to thrive, says Brandon Lewis The UK is facing the greatest threat to its national security in the past 30 years. There are Russian [...]
Why are we even considering China’s ‘super-embassy’? Opinion One day the story of China’s “super-embassy”, whether it is built or not, will be the subject of book-length investigative reporting that wins prizes, writes Eliot Wilson.
Jonathan Powell urged to answer questions on Chinese spy case in public Politics National security adviser Jonathan Powell has been urged to answer questions on the collapse of a Chinese spy case in public, with the government doubling down on its defence that it did not subvert the trial to maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing. Powell is set to appear before a private committee in parliament to answer [...]
China’s London mega-embassy plan in limbo amid site security fears October 12, 2025 China’s plans for a new mega-embassy in central London have been thrown into doubt amid mounting national security concerns that the proposed site sits directly above critical fibre-optic cables linked to the UK’s financial networks. The £750m project at Royal Mint Court, the former home of Britain’s coin-maker, located next to the Tower of London, [...]
Contradiction at the heart of National Security Strategy June 25, 2025 The situation in the Middle East reminds us that these are volatile times and as the war in Ukraine grinds on, an unpredictable US President heads to the Hague for a crucial Nato summit where the security of Europe is on the table. At home, the government has published its National Security Strategy which concludes [...]
After British Steel, what else will the government nab for national security? April 21, 2025 The potential nationalisation of British Steel in the name of 'national security' must make us ask what the government will justify next, writes Eliot Wilson.
NHS software firm fined over highly sensitive data breach March 27, 2025 A major NHS software provider has been fined £3m after a cyber attack exposed the personal data of nearly 80,000 people – including home entry details and medical records for vulnerable patients. The information comissioner’s office (ICO) ruled that Advanced Computer Software Group had “seriously inadequate” security measures, allowing hackers to infiltrate its systems in [...]
Keir Starmer to pledge red tape rollback in bid to ‘reshape the state’ March 12, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pledge to slash red tape for businesses in a bid to “reshape the state” of the UK amid what he will call a new “era of instability”. The Prime Minister is set to make an announcement on Thursday about his plans to reform the British state, cut regulation, and [...]
Chinese EV makers should be barred from UK public contracts over data privacy fears, campaigners warn September 16, 2024 Suppliers suspected of having ties to the Chinese military pose a risk due to the potential for built components to be "weaponised" from overseas.
UK approves Chinese-backed megabattery project after national security review September 1, 2024 The British government has approved a major battery storage facility in the UK, which is backed by a joint venture involving US investment giant Blackrock and KX Power, a UK-registered asset manager with ties to Chinese investors. The UK launched a national security review of the proposed 80-megawatt project, led by former Chinese diplomat Zhe Zhang, [...]