IMF warns UK faces ‘significant challenges’ amid trade war July 25, 2025 The Chancellor could be left at risk of breaking her fiscal rules by unexpected economic shocks and faces “significant challenges” in delivering the government’s agenda, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. The IMF said the UK’s “limited” so-called headroom on its public finances gave little room to manoeuvre and called on Rachel Reeves to [...]
London Foundation for Banking & Finance appoints new trustees July 23, 2025 The London Foundation for Banking & Finance (LFBF) has appointed three new trustees, drawing from the top ranks of the finance, insurance, and private equity sectors. Stephen Mann, Quentin Nason and Steve Darrington were named as the newest members of the foundation’s board of trustees. Mann, a seasoned insurance executive and former CEO of the [...]
Retail profit warnings more than double as high street pressures mount July 21, 2025 Profit alerts among retailers more than doubled in the second quarter as consumers reined in their spending and firms faced soaring wage costs, according to a report. The latest report from EY-Parthenon also revealed that overall profit warnings among UK-listed firms jumped by a fifth year-on-year in the second quarter – with a record proportion [...]
London Waterloo: Disruption after major signalling failure July 21, 2025 A major signalling failure at London Waterloo has caused severe disruption, with trains unable to use 14 platforms at the station, according to a rail company. South Western Railway (SWR) asked customers not to travel on its services on Monday morning in a statement posted on social media. Passengers have been told that they will [...]
Labour revives Pensions Commission amid fears workers are saving too little July 21, 2025 Ministers are to resurrect the Pensions Commission amid fears that today’s workers face a greater risk of poverty in retirement than their parents. Experts have warned that people looking to retire in 2050 are on course to receive £800 per year less than current pensioners. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said 45 per [...]
UK bank profits in focus as lenders await critical motor finance court ruling July 20, 2025 Investors will be hoping UK banks will report solid earnings as lenders await the outcome of a critical court judgment that could unleash a major car finance compensation scheme. Lloyds Banking Group will kick off the sector’s half-year earnings with its results on Thursday, followed by NatWest Group on Friday. It comes at a significant [...]
Environment Secretary pledges to halve sewage pollution by 2030 July 19, 2025 The Environment Secretary has pledged to cut sewage pollution from water companies in half by 2030 compared to 2024 levels. Steve Reed will announce the target as he speaks to the media on Sunday morning. The government said it marks the first time ministers have set a clear target on reducing sewage pollution to which [...]
Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Murdoch over reporting on Epstein ties July 19, 2025 President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on Friday against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, a day after the newspaper published a story reporting on ties to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami. It seeks at least $10bn (£7.4bn) in damages. Mr Trump promised a [...]
Hercules PLC looks to strategic expansion after strong first half July 17, 2025 Hercules Site Services PLC, the innovative tech-enabled labour supplier for the UK infrastructure and construction sectors, has announced robust half-year results, trading in line with expectations. The second half is building momentum and will be underpinned by strategic acquisitions and a bold move into the power and energy sector. For the six months of FY2025, [...]
Paragon Banking MD: ‘There’s a £500bn savings mountain sat in high street banks’ July 17, 2025 Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Michael Helsby,managing director of strategic direction at Paragon Banking Group takes us through his career, and his reflections on the City, in Square Mile and Me What was your first job? I left school at 16 to become an apprentice Electrical [...]
