The City is paying the price for Britain’s energy failure May 18, 2026 High, unstable energy costs don’t stay in the energy sector. They get absorbed into operating margins, debt-service forecasts, insurance assumptions, infrastructure returns, and the discount rate applied to British assets, says Alan Chang The City does not need another price shock to understand Britain’s energy problem. Markets are already pricing the risk. Renewed tensions with [...]
Good policing is the unsung pillar of growth May 18, 2026 Market confidence in the City is inseparable from its security, and the police are a core enabler of that security, writes Chris Hayward.
Barclays names Fractile and Isomorphic Labs among UK’s top AI startups May 18, 2026 Barclays has named AI chip startup Fractile and Google DeepMind spinout Isomorphic Labs among Britain’s top AI companies as investors race to back the next generation of UK tech champions. The banking giant’s Eagle Labs division unveiled its new AI 100 ranking this week, spotlighting the country’s fastest-growing AI businesses amid a record year for [...]
UK AI investment hits record £8.3bn as London tightens grip on tech boom May 18, 2026 Britain’s AI sector pulled in a record £8.3bn of investment last year, as global investors raced to back the country’s next generation of AI firms, with London tightening its grip as Europe’s leading tech hub. New research from Barclays Eagle Labs found funding into UK AI companies surged in 2025 after a sluggish period for [...]
Kemi Badenoch warns of ‘Burnham premium’ on mortgages May 17, 2026 Kemi Badenoch has warned that Andy Burnham would saddle the UK with a “Burnham premium” on mortgages and borrowing costs as Labour’s leadership crisis continues following the mayor’s planned return to Westminster. The Conservative leader seized on mounting speculation around Burnham’s ambitions after the Makerfield by-election became the latest flashpoint in Labour’s increasingly public civil [...]
‘I’ll be standing’: Streeting gears up to join leadership race as Burnham vows to save Labour May 16, 2026 Former health secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed he will join any potential leadership race, as pressure piles on Starmer’s premiership. Speaking to Sky News, Streeting spoke of his intention to join the race. He said: “We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I’ll be standing.” He went on to [...]
UK government at risk of grinding ‘to a halt’ amid leadership race drama May 16, 2026 Ministers and senior civil servants have warned that sections of the UK government are at risk of hitting a standstill amid the growing likelihood of a Labour leadership contest. Government figures have expressed concern a contest could overshadow Starmer’s agenda and key initiatives, including the push for closer UK relations with the EU. Worries have [...]
JCB billionaire to hand reins to youngest son in blow to apparent heir May 16, 2026 The boss of JCB has named his younger son as his heir to the business, instead of his elder son and presumed heir. In an interview with the Telegraph, Lord Bamford said that his third child, George, would take over from his as head of the digger manufacturer rather than elder son Joseph, known as [...]
Starmer prepares for leadership battle as Streeting declares UK must rejoin EU May 16, 2026 Prime minister Keir Starmer is expected to approve an £18bn increase in defence spending, as he prepares to battle for his political survival. Senior defence insiders said the investment would enable the armed forces to modernise and prepare to fight a future war. According to reports in The Times, national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, has [...]
Reeves to overhaul ring-fencing regime in a bid to boost the UK economy May 16, 2026 The Treasury is set to unveil a sweeping overhaul of the ring-fencing regime next week, in a bid to protect depositors at the UK’s biggest retail banks, as ministers scramble to boost economic growth. According to reports in Sky News, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signed off plans aimed at unlocking billions of pounds of additional [...]