OBR should focus more on policy growth ‘upsides’ – says Tony Blair think tank November 6, 2025 The Government must force the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to take more account of policy “upsides” when assessing an impact on growth, Tony Blair’s think tank has said. The Treasury watchdog should be required to be bolder in predicting growth to reward more ambitious economic policies, a report by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) [...]
Pub closures reach new high as hospitality braces for Budget November 6, 2025 Pubs and bars are closing at the fastest rate seen this century, fresh City AM analysis has found, as rising costs squeeze many in the hospitality sector to the point of collapse. The number of British pubs and bar businesses appointing liquidators or administrators surged to 449 in the first 10 months of the year, [...]
Richard Tice pledges ‘Big Reform’ of City regulation November 5, 2025 Richard Tice has called on City leaders to draw up proposals to radically cut regulation and introduce an overhaul of major financial institutions across the UK as he called for a “Big Reform” of financial services. In an echo of Margaret Thatcher’s Big Bang programme on deregulation, the Reform UK deputy leader set out the [...]
George Osborne: Income tax hike is ‘easier’ option for Reeves November 5, 2025 Former Chancellor George Osborne has said that hiking one of the three main taxes which Labour said they would not raise – income tax rates, VAT and national insurance – would be the “easier” option for Rachel Reeves to add significant revenue. In an appearance before the Treasury Select Committee alongside former business secretary Vince [...]
Tech stocks rally after Tuesday’s sell off November 5, 2025 US stock markets rebounded on Wednesday as investor nerves cooled after billion-dollar short positions disclosed in leading AI companies sent tech stocks in a tailspin on Tuesday. Star fund manager Michael Burry, of The Big Short fame, disclosed a $1.1bn (£843m) wager on Palantir and Nvidia shares falling on Tuesday, after drawing attention to similarities between [...]
UK businesses shrug off Budget tax fears in push for growth November 5, 2025 UK businesses enjoyed a boost in activity in October due to improved demand for good, a leading survey has indicated, in signs that the momentum in growth was growing ahead of the Budget. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has offered the Chancellor and the Bank of England some positive relief ahead of crucial policy [...]
North Sea oil and gas production decline labelled an ’emergency’ November 5, 2025 Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has declared an oil and gas “emergency” in the North East of Scotland as she pushes the Labour government to overturn its ban on new oil and gas licenses. Badenoch has pledged to “get Britain drilling again” in a new campaign in partnership with the Scottish Conservatives. The announcement marks the [...]
Chancellor urged to back long-term prosperity in upcoming Budget November 5, 2025 A leading UK wealth manager has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ to back wealthy individuals focused on building wealth and increasing UK investment in the November Budget. Rathbones has called on the government to offer support to wealthier Brits in this month’s Budget in order to drive long-term, sustainable investment and end the cycle of weak [...]
Andrew Bailey: Bank of England Governor to have ‘deciding vote’ on interest rates November 5, 2025 Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is set to have the deciding vote on whether to slash interest rates by 25 basis points, analysts have said. The Bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold at four per cent but several analysts have said the decision is on a knife-edge, with four Monetary Policy [...]
Lloyds boss ‘concerned’ with motor finance impact on UK investability November 5, 2025 The boss of Lloyds Banking Group told has lawmakers there was a “deeply important” investability issue in the financial watchdog’s proposed motor finance redress scheme. Charlie Nunn said, in a session with the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee on Wednesday, he was “concerned” about investability and sentiment towards the UK following the regulator’s redress. “Having a [...]