By: Chris Dorrell

Chris Dorrell is a freelance journalist and City AM contributor. He was previously City AM's banking and then economics reporter. When Chris is not breaking news, he can often be found playing with his band Totally Amorphous.

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Economy bogged down by low-performing firms

February 23, 2026

The UK economy is suffering from an ever-lengthening tail of low productivity businesses, according to a new report from BCG. Between 1997 and 2023, the number of firms below the 25th productivity percentile nearly doubled, rising from 444,500 to 873,000, while the total number of firms increased by 70 per cent. At the other end [...]
Former Amazon boss to keep CMA chair

February 23, 2026

Doug Gurr has been confirmed as the government’s preferred candidate to continue in the role of chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Gurr, a former boss of Amazon UK, was parachuted into the role on an interim basis last January, but will now complete a full five-year term. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said [...]
This working farm is Devon’s most luxurious new hotel

February 23, 2026

Fancy farm retreats have become all the rage, helping urbanites reconnect to the land in luxury. Fowlescombe Farm, a regenerative farm in south Devon, adds to this list in style. The hotel, which opened last May, pulls off an impressive balancing act. It is at once luxurious and low-key. Both homely and stately. Located about [...]
New regulations for pedicabs to curb ‘rip-off’ fares

February 18, 2026

Pedicabs will be barred from blasting bangers and charging “rip-off” fares under new rules which will mean rickshaws in the capital face regulations for the first time. Under new rules proposed by Transport for London (TfL), drivers will be required to have a full driving license, pass enhanced criminal checks, and meet English language requirements [...]
Scotch whisky makers look to India amidst Trump tariff worries

February 18, 2026

Scotch whisky makers selling into the US faced a challenging year as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to new figures, but many distilleries spy a long term opportunity in India. Figures out last week from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) showed that the value of Scotch exports to the US declined by four [...]
Inflation eases to three per cent boosting interest rate cut hopes

February 18, 2026

Inflation fell to its lowest level in nearly a year last month, new figures show, giving a further boost to hopes that the Bank of England will cut interest rates in March. The headline rate dipped to 3.0 per cent in January, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), down from 3.4 per cent [...]
Unemployment hits post-pandemic high as wage growth slips

February 17, 2026

The labour market continued to loosen in the final quarter of last year, official figures show, with wage growth easing and unemployment climbing steadily higher. The rate of joblessness crept up to 5.2 per cent between October and December, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the highest level since early 2021 and slightly [...]
Defence stocks rally after Starmer vows to ‘go faster’ on spending pledge

February 17, 2026

Investors piled into defence stocks on Monday after Keir Starmer said the UK needed to “go faster” on defence spending to combat the growing threat from Russia. The Prime Minister warned that the UK needed to “step up” its defence commitments amid reports that he wants to ramp up the defence budget by tens of [...]
Regulator mulls audit changes to attract Chinese listings

February 16, 2026

The audit regulator is considering a temporary change in its accounting rules which would make it easier for Chinese firms to list in London. The proposal is the latest regulatory reform designed to make the UK a more attractive place for international companies to list. In a statement, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said it [...]
Employment Rights Act set to stall hiring, says report

February 16, 2026

The government’s new package of employment rights will put a brake on hiring, according to a new report, as businesses worry about the possible risks and costs. More than a third (37 per cent) of businesses surveyed by the the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) plan to reduce hiring permanent staff as a [...]

Why you should put your CEO on Tiktok (from someone who’s done it)

KSI takes stake in Dagenham and Redbridge and vows to bring back glory days

Psst… This is how to ski Les 3 Vallées without the crowds

By: Chris Dorrell

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