UK carbon markets stand to get an AI boost May 4, 2026 The connection between AI growth and carbon market demand is one the UK is well positioned to act on, writes Chris Hayward.
Sparking interest: Could utilities stocks power your portfolio? May 4, 2026 The FTSE 100 isn’t known as the flashiest of stock markets, lacking the might of the trillion-dollar tech stocks of the US or the glamorous luxury conglomerates of France. But what it lacks in shine, it makes up for in reliability, with the index reporting a 21.5 gain in 2025, its strongest calendar year performance [...]
Airport jobs at risk as Iran conflict hits flights May 3, 2026 Thousands of UK airport jobs are at risk as airlines cut schedules amid disruption linked to the Iran conflict, as the government is urged to support to protect workers. Ground handling firms and unions have warned ministers that the impact on employment could rival, or even exceed, the pandemic, as reduced flight volumes threaten a [...]
Donald Tusk says Nato is falling apart May 2, 2026 Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has said Nato is suffering from an “ongoing disintegration” amid pressures on governments to increase defence spending. In a post on X, the former EU council president indicated a war of words between President Trump and Chancellor Merz of Germany, which led to the US taking 5,000 soldiers out of [...]
Labour will regret the Renters’ Rights Act May 1, 2026 There were celebrations across the Labour frontbench as the Renters’ Rights Act came into force today. That won't last for long, writes Ben Hopkinson.
Petrol retailers vindicated after Reeves ‘profiteering’ claims May 1, 2026 Petrol retailers have been vindicated of “price gouging”, pouring cold water on the government’s accusations of profiteering from the war in Iran. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that higher fuel prices in the UK were caused by the rising cost of oil, rather than by retailers expanding their margins to profit from the [...]
UK manufacturing at four-year high but costs rise at pandemic pace May 1, 2026 The UK manufacturing sector broke to a four-year record in April but the constraints triggered by the Iran war threatened to upend growth prospects. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global put the industry’s reading at 53.7 – its best since May 2022. This marked its sixth consecutive month above the neutral 50.0 [...]
Hiring freezes loom as business confidence remains near record low May 1, 2026 British business leaders are bracing for hiring freezes as headcount expectations dropped into negative territory again, according to new data from the Institute of Directors. The IoD’s economic confidence Index edged up to -64 in April from -76 in March, remaining close to historic lows. But headcount expectations slipped to minus three from zero in [...]
Bank of England signals interest rate hikes ahead despite April hold April 30, 2026 The Bank of England has all but confirmed that interest rates will be hiked in the coming months as oil prices have shot up, despite opting to hold them in a meeting on Thursday. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee warned interest rates could climb back to 5.25 per cent from the current level of 3.75 [...]
‘Disappointing day’: Edinburgh Worldwide admits defeat to Saba Capital April 30, 2026 Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust had conceded defeat to Saba Capital, bringing its 17-month long battle with the US hedge fund to an end. In its annual general meeting (AGM) update released on Thursday morning, the investment trust admitted that it expects that there will be “insufficient votes” in favour of the resolutions relating to the [...]