Warning lights: UK services suffer worst shock since January 2023 June 23, 2026 Business activity across the UK economy is at a 14-month low, research has suggested, as growth has taken a toll from Labour’s political woes and the impact of the continued trade disruption. The initial estimate for S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to a score of 49.4 in June, falling further below the neutral [...]
Brexit 10 years on: Business does not want a referendum rerun, says CBI chief June 23, 2026 British businesses are focused on the future and do not want a rerun of the Brexit referendum, the leader of the UK’s largest business lobby group has warned. Speaking to the FT, CBI director-general Rain Newton-Smith, on the tenth anniversary of the referendum, stated that despite the economic pain of leaving the EU, businesses don’t [...]
Burnham to lay out economic plan, but markets fear Miliband as Chancellor June 23, 2026 With more than three weeks to go before he can formally clinch the keys to 10 Downing Street, leadership challenger Andy Burnham is planning to make a major speech on the economy next week. It’s part of an effort to reassure the bond markets – to which he once said we shouldn’t be “in hock” [...]
Blow to AIM as pawnbroker Ramsdens snapped up by US giant for £206m June 23, 2026 Pawnbroker Ramsdens has been snapped up by a US giant in a move that will lead to the firm dropping off London’ junior stock market. The deal – with Nasdaq-listed Firstcash – valued the retailer at a cool £206m, whilst shareholders are set to receive up to 609p per share as part of the tie-up. [...]
As it happened: Stocks recover after markets rocked by tech-sell off; US claims ‘good foundations’ of Iran deal June 23, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Markets have shrugged off the latest developments in US-Iran peace with the FTSE 100 falling at open as London got swept up in the wider sell-off that rocked Asia and Wall Street overnight. This comes despite some progress in the Middle East, with Trump’s Vice President JD Vance [...]
Here’s what a government led by Andy Burnham will look like June 23, 2026 The political economy of an Andy Burnham government is clear, it will be radically interventionist: nationalising failing utilities like Thames Water, investing in the green transition – and seeing the Iran War as a spur to the ultimate energy security of renewables plus nuclear; building a progressive economy of opportunity and prosperity for all, says [...]
Burnham might lift Labour’s mood but he won’t save the country June 23, 2026 It was a little under two years ago that Keir Starmer stood outside 10 Downing Street and declared that his new government would “end the era of noisy performance [and] tread a little more lightly on your lives.” It was a bold ambition and, after a shambolic end to Tory rule, a welcome one. Was [...]
Carrying debt into retirement isn’t always bad news June 23, 2026 As more pensioners turn to housing wealth to fund old age, James Daley argues that perceptions around carrying debt into retirement need to change.
SpaceX kicks off bond sale as it looks to begin mass borrowing spree June 22, 2026 Elon Musk’s SpaceX has begun selling investment grade bonds for the first time in what is anticipated to be a mass borrowing spree in order to fund the company’s ambitious AI plans following its blockbuster Nasdaq listing. Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Morgan Stanley are arranging calls with investors [...]
Speed or stability? Bond markets strap in for Andy Burnham coronation June 22, 2026 City bond traders are strapping in for a “jumpy” ride as Andy Burnham looks set to cruise into Downing Street uncontested – even if a coronation helps head off the worst volatility, analysts have said. The former Manchester Mayor’s bid for the top job won a major boost today as former health secretary Wes Streeting [...]