Iran crisis has exposed the folly of net zero April 10, 2026 While net zero is an incredibly important economic and sustainability goal, long-term, idealistic agendas like these just cannot come at the expense of short-term economic health – especially when our country is already so frail, says Issac Goldring This week in a rare case of diplomatic nous, President Trump chose relative peace over Armageddon. Remarkably [...]
Miliband slammed for net zero sprint as high costs hamper businesses April 10, 2026 Labour-linked researchers have slammed Ed Miliband’s net zero drive as the UK’s sky-high energy costs have come under intense scrutiny due to oil trade disruptions from the war in Iran and OpenAI’s decision to put a landmark data centre project in the UK on. Researchers at the Tony Blair Institute blamed the UK government’s dithering [...]
Jim Ratcliffe backs Tory pledge to slash net zero tax April 2, 2026 Sir Jim Ratcliffe has joined a number of manufacturing bosses in support of a Tory pledge to axe carbon taxes levied through a trading scheme critical to the government’s net zero efforts. In a joint release between the Conservatives plus the Ineos chief and other industry bosses, the Kemi Badenoch’s party said it would save [...]
US ambassador: UK’s closer ties with EU are a problem March 26, 2026 Britain pursuing closer ties with the European Union will “not be viewed favourably” in the White House if it in any way affects the trading relationship between the UK and US, Washington’s ambassador to the UK has warned. Warren Stephens said that the government’s recent decision to adopt over 70 European rules onto the UK [...]
UK must learn lessons from this crisis – starting with energy policy March 24, 2026 Has the US brought Iran to heel? Or has Iran discovered it has the upper hand? These are urgent questions and the world waits with bated breath for clear answers. Trump claims Iran approached the US, seeking a deal to end the war, and while the Iranians deny this it seems likely that contact has [...]
Wickes profit doubles as DIY firm bets on solar March 17, 2026 Home improvement retailer Wickes has doubled its profit as the firm positions itself to become a leader in solar panel installation. The firm took revenue of £1.6bn, up six per cent, and pre-tax profit grew from £23m to £49m, in the year to December 2025. Wickes was promoted to the FTSE 250 last year, as [...]
Iran war: Independent pubs face ‘devastating’ energy costs March 17, 2026 Independent pubs could be left vulnerable to spikes in energy costs caused by the Iran war, while their larger competitors enjoy the security of fixed energy deals. Landlords across the UK could face “devastating” costs if energy prices continue to rise, trade body UKHospitality has warned. Blockages to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping [...]
Balfour Beatty shares soar as firm bets on UK energy and defence March 11, 2026 Balfour Beatty shares jumped after the construction firm posted surging profit as it doubles down on bets on UK energy, transport and defence infrastructure. Profit at the FTSE 250 firm grew 51 per cent to £323m in the year to December 2025, as revenue climbed 7.5 per cent to £10.8bn and its order book reached [...]
Cold wind of reality exposes Britain’s myths…and mistakes March 10, 2026 Crises reveal, and the illuminating effects of the latest Middle East war should leave us shuddering and ashamed. The nature of Keir Starmer’s government has been revealed; obsessing over the finer points of international law when our principal ally asked for our help. Starmer’s position has been exposed, too, with briefings suggesting he was more [...]
Let the market fix the oil crisis March 5, 2026 The conflict in Iran is unlikely to lead to 1970s-style oil rationing, but policymakers must use price mechanisms and encourage domestic energy investment to insure against unpredictable escalations, says Andy Mayer In 1979 the Iranian Revolution sparked the ‘second oil crisis’ as the price of crude oil more than doubled to $40 per barrel. Although [...]