Retail investors are returning to UK markets August 12, 2026 For decades, British retail investors have snubbed their home market. But in 2026 things are changing, writes Rupert Hargreaves.
The Debate: Is Count Binface funny? August 12, 2026 You won't catch our comment editor cracking a smile at the intergalactic space warrior, but is Count Binface entirely unfunny?
Energy discount scheme for homes near new pylons branded ‘bribe’ by Reform August 12, 2026 Households around north London and a series of other places where new pylons are being built will receive electricity bill discounts from next year in a scheme branded as a “bribe” by Reform UK. Families living in more than 40 locations across Britain — mostly in Scotland — will receive biannual cash discounts on bills. [...]
NHS data counters claims that £330m Palantir deal has led to ‘no improvement’ August 11, 2026 Internal NHS data indicates that Palantir’s hospital discharge tool cut delays by as much as 28 per cent, City AM understands, challenging recent reports from critics of the tech giant that it had made “no noticeable improvement” to the healthcare system’s efficiency. According to an internal NHS England report seen by City AM, trusts using [...]
Can John Healey deliver Burnham’s make-or-break devolution agenda? August 11, 2026 Devolution is Andy Burnham’s preferred growth lever. Maurício Alencar explores how devolution under Chancellor John Healey could save Britain – or destroy it. In 1998, two of the closest aides of then-chancellor Gordon Brown produced a report into the regional economic divide in Britain. The report, called ‘Towards a new regional policy: Delivering growth and [...]
UK economy to ‘reverse gains’ as construction drags growth August 11, 2026 The UK economy’s modest gains from the first half of the year are set to be reversed as the flagging construction industry is set to hammer growth prospects, economists have said. A poll of economists, tracked by Bloomberg, believe GDP contracted by 0.1 per cent in June, partly unwinding previous gains. Pantheon Macroeconomics analysts said [...]
As it happened: Stocks jittery as oil nears $90; Trump ‘semi-negotiating’ with Iran August 11, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Oil prices are marching higher for the fourth consecutive session, supported by new uncertainty between the US and Iran and continued agitation over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – was holding above $87 per barrel on Tuesday [...]
Richard Branson says UK must ‘make it easier’ to be an entrepreneur August 11, 2026 Sir Richard Branson has called on policy makers to do more to support and “champion” British entrepreneurs. The founder of Virgin Group, who launched his iconic business selling records in 1970, said the UK must go further to create an environment where entrepreneurs want to set up and run a business. Writing in City AM, [...]
Burnham should go on a ‘cost of doing business’ tour August 11, 2026 An alarming note from one of the City’s top economists warns that October’s Budget could see taxes rise by almost the same amount as they did last year when Rachel Reeves cooked up £26bn worth of fresh hikes. Ruth Gregory, Deputy Chief UK Economist at Capital Economics, suggests that higher taxes “perhaps worth up to [...]
Going on holiday as Prime Minister comes at a cost August 11, 2026 Prime Ministers too deserve a holiday, just maybe not while your party's still fighting for survival, writes Michael Martins.