Trump to make state visit UK in September despite King’s concerns June 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump is set to make a full state visit to the UK in September in a further sign of Prime Minister Starmer’s efforts to bring the two countries closer together. But King Charles preferred an initial informal visit that would represent a less eventful trip amid threats made to Canada’s sovereignty, according [...]
Graduate jobs at ‘weakest level since 2018’ as Reeves’ taxes rattle firms June 25, 2025 Graduate jobs are now at their “weakest level since at least 2018”, fresh data has suggested, as Chancellor Reeves’ tax hikes on employers have made bosses avoid hiring junior workers. The UK government has made job creation a crucial part of its efforts to grow the economy and improve living standards for Brits after years [...]
Contradiction at the heart of National Security Strategy June 25, 2025 The situation in the Middle East reminds us that these are volatile times and as the war in Ukraine grinds on, an unpredictable US President heads to the Hague for a crucial Nato summit where the security of Europe is on the table. At home, the government has published its National Security Strategy which concludes [...]
Industrial strategy shows Labour has a long-term plan for growth June 25, 2025 One year into office, the Labour government faces a challenging economic landscape, but its new industrial strategy signals a serious, long-term commitment to addressing the UK’s productivity issues and unlocking economic growth through stronger partnerships with the private sector, says Claire Ainsley Next week will be one year of the Labour government, and it just [...]
Law Society calls on government to launch free AI legal tool June 24, 2025 To help people understand their legal issues the government was called on to create a free AI tool similar to NHS 111, to restore trust in the justice system
Borders watchdog casts doubt on Labour pledge to end asylum hotels June 24, 2025 The Labour government’s pledge to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2030 has been dismissed as unachievable by the UK’s borders watchdog. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated at the Spending Review nearly a fortnight ago that the government’s commitment to end asylum hotels would save the government £1bn a year. But David Bolt, [...]
ONS appoints Bank of England data exec as new chief June 24, 2025 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed a Bank of England executive as its new director general at a time when the independent body is losing trust over its poor handling of key data. James Benford, who served as the Bank’s chief data officer and oversaw analytics, will join the ONS in early August [...]
Manufacturers falter as Reeves urged to fast-track growth policies June 24, 2025 Manufacturing output continues to slump, according to the UK’s largest industry body, as bosses are urging Chancellor Reeves to back up training and technology policies with “short-term delivery”. The UK government set out its long-awaited industrial strategy earlier this week where it listed areas of the economy which had greatest potential for growth, including advanced [...]
Inflation ‘plateau’ could keep interest rates higher, Bank hawk warns June 24, 2025 Bank of England officials may avoid cutting interest rates as worries inflation will remain above three per cent over the coming months leave policymakers in an “uncomfortable place”, a Monetary Policy Committee member has warned. Speaking at an event hosted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, external member Megan Greene said the [...]
Higher tax ‘inevitable’ as PM makes defence spending pledge June 24, 2025 Keir Starmer’s fresh commitment to ramp up defence spending to five per cent as a share of GDP by 2035 will almost certainly have to be funded by more tax hikes, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)’ Paul Johnson has warned. The government’s pledge to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence and a [...]