Streeting suggests North Sea drilling and NI cuts in latest pitch May 31, 2026 Former health secretary Wes Streeting has suggested cutting national insurance and issuing new North Sea oil drilling licenses as he continues to make his leadership pitch. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Streeting set out a series of policies ahead of a potential leadership contest expected within the coming months in Westminster, including drilling [...]
Easyjet attracts takeover interest from US private credit firm May 30, 2026 Budget airline carrier Easyjet has drawn takeover interest from private credit firm Castlelake, which could make the airline the latest UK-listed company to be snatched off the stock market. Castlelake said it was in the “early stages of considering a possible offer” for Easyjet on Friday, but was yet to approach the company’s board. The [...]
Reeves’ savings package to have minimal impact on inflation rise May 29, 2026 A discount campaign launched by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will “shave off” an expected rise in inflation, analysis has suggested, as economists have raised concern over Britons’ inflation expectations. Reeves’ move to delay a hike in fuel duty beyond September and offer VAT relief for businesses giving families reduced prices could strip 0.2 percentage points off [...]
Top banks urge Rachel Reeves to expand small business lending scheme May 29, 2026 Top UK banks are lobbying Rachel Reeves to beef up the government’s small business lending scheme in a bid to unlock more capital to be lent to firms. A letter penned by UK Finance – the banking industry body that represents the likes of Barclays, Lloyds and Natwest – has called for the Chancellor to [...]
As it happened: Stocks rise on Iran peace hopes; Asda and Ocado deal May 29, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. After investors kicked into sell-off mode on Thursday amidst spiking tensions as the US and Iran exchanged strikes, attention is quickly turning back to hopes of a peace deal this morning. US and Iranian negotiators are reported to have reached an agreement on a 60-day [...]
Reeves’ summer of fun won’t deliver growth May 29, 2026 Instead of attempting to stimulate demand, Reeves should focus on helping hospitality from the supply-side, writes Matthew Bowles.
Moving abroad won’t save you from the British tax man May 29, 2026 Brits have become ensnared in tax traps following an upheaval of the system by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the past two Autumn Budgets. UK households have been slammed by a number of shake-ups, including an extended freeze of the income tax thresholds, a hike to dividend tax and a new ‘mansion tax’ on properties valued [...]
Property rich, pension poor: Meet the ‘sleepwalking’ generation May 28, 2026 Those born between 1965 and 1980 could suffer from weaker retirement prospects despite being deemed property rich, after failing to be included in generous pension schemes. The so-called Generation X are at risk of “sleepwalking” into an inadequate retirement, regardless of their high exposure to property, owning twice as many buy-to-let homes as Baby Boomers, [...]
Treasury still has £5bn to spend on Covid-19 – taking total bill to £385bn May 28, 2026 The Treasury has said it still needs to spend £5bn more on Covid-19 measures more than four years after the last lockdown restriction was lifted, taking the total estimated costs to taxpayers to £385bn. In a cost tracker update on Thursday, the government said it had already spent £380bn on Covid-19 support since the pandemic [...]
Family-owned Tottenham brewer falls into administration as industry pressures mount May 28, 2026 A beloved family-owned Tottenham brewery that was a key player in London’s craft beer renaissance has fallen into administration amidst mounting cost pressures on the industry. Redemption Brewing Company, which was the first commercial brewery to open in Tottenham in nearly 100 years, is officially listed on the formal register of new insolvency appointments as [...]