FTSE 100 Live: Starmer unease rattles markets; Big tech sell-off February 6, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Speculation over Keir Starmer’s future has unleashed a fresh round of market unease as investors dumped the pound, UK equities and long-dated government bonds amid rising political uncertainty. The gulf in price between the UK’s short- and long-term debt – known as the yield curve – reached [...]
Criminal investigation launched into Mandelson’s Downing Street ‘leaks’ February 3, 2026 A criminal investigation has been launched into Peter Mandelson, according to reports. The news comes after the scandal-hit politician decided to step down from the House of Lords following fresh pressure on the Labour veteran after the latest bombshell drop of the Epstein files. The Lord Speaker said on Tuesday afternoon Mandelson would exit the [...]
Labour ruling committee block Andy Burnham from by-election race January 25, 2026 Andy Burnham has been blocked from running as the Labour candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the North West. The Manchester Mayor lodged his request for selection in the Gorton and Denton race on Saturday following Andrew Gwynne announcing his intention to step down. Speculation had mounted Burnham would face opposition from Labour’s governing body [...]
Angela Rayner in Downing Street tops banker fears January 7, 2026 Angela Rayner taking to Downing Street poses one of the top risks to the banking sector heading into 2026, top analysts have warned. The former Deputy Prime Minister and darling of the Labour left is among names tipped to take the top job as Sir Keir Starmer fights to save his premiership amid all-time favourability [...]
Starmer’s future hinges on May election reckoning, polling expert says December 27, 2025 The future of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership hinges on the forthcoming May elections where the Labour party is expected to take a bruising, a polling expert has said. Conservative peer Lord Robert Hayward said: “A few months ago it looked as if May 7 would be decisive for the leaderships of both Labour and Conservatives. [...]
Andy Burnham makes £1bn challenge to Starmer and Reeves before the Budget November 20, 2025 Andy Burnham has revealed a £1bn growth plan for Manchester in a move which could be seen as a direct challenge to both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves less than a week before the Budget. The Mayor of Greater Manchester has touted the proposals as a way to “pioneer a new [...]
Will the ‘Brit card’ ID redefine privacy in the UK? September 29, 2025 Just last week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a new digital ID system, or so-called ‘Brit card’, aimed to provide UK citizens and legal residents with a smartphone-based identity card. By the end of the current parliament in 2029, digital ID is set to become mandatory for ‘right to work’ checks. The government [...]
Starmer’s new towns plans blasted for ‘lacking vision’ September 20, 2025 The Lords’ Built Environment Committee has criticised the government’s current vision for new towns, calling for a clearer and more community-focused strategy. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to build up to 12 new towns across the UK, with each settlement having the potential for at least 10,000 homes. Work on the towns is expected [...]
‘It’s not a fair fight’: HMV boss issues Rachel Reeves Autumn Budget tax demand September 8, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to reform business rates in the Autumn Budget by the boss of HMV. Phil Halliday, in an up-coming episode of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered show, said the current system should be altered to make it fairer for UK retailers. The managing director added that businesses such as HMV are [...]
Cabinet reshuffle: Lucy Rigby replaces Emma Reynolds as City minister September 6, 2025 Former solicitor general Lucy Rigby has been made Economic Secretary to the Treasury, a role often called the City minister, in the latest development in Starmer’s reshuffle. Rigby replaces Emma Reynolds, a former City lobbyist who had held the role since last July but who has now become environment secretary. In a post on X, Rigby said she was [...]