UK economy: Firms prepare to cut staff as they brace for slowdown, CBI says January 27, 2025 A persistent slowdown in activity among private sector firms could weigh on economic growth over the coming months, with businesses set to cut staff and raise prices, according to a survey. The upcoming increase to national insurance contributions has prompted firms to assess their budgets urgently, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. Output across [...]
Reeves all but confirms backing for third Heathrow runway January 26, 2025 Rachel Reeves suggested the full Cabinet must back any potential expansion of Heathrow Airport despite previous opposition from senior Government figures, as she all but confirmed plans to endorse a third runway. The Chancellor refused to be drawn on “speculation” over an upcoming announcement she is expected to make about the project but said decisions [...]
Shell to post lower 2024 profit after year of faltering oil demand January 26, 2025 Shell is expected to post lower annual profit than the previous year next week, after the energy giant was hit by weak oil prices and faltering demand for the fossil fuel. The London-listed company is scheduled to announce its financial results for the calendar year 2024 on Thursday. Analysts have forecast that it will post [...]
Streeting heckled as he urged progressives to fight ‘populist right’ January 25, 2025 Health Secretary Wes Streeting was interrupted by climate protesters on Saturday as he gave a speech urging progressives to fight the “populist right” in a battle of ideas. Two women shouted over him as he used an address to the Fabian Society to call for the centre-left to take on the “miserablist, declinist vision” he [...]
British Council could ‘disappear’ in a decade without financial help, boss warns January 25, 2025 The British Council could “disappear” within the next decade without urgent government intervention, the organisation’s chief executive has said. Scott McDonald, the boss of the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations, warned the council’s presence in up to 40 countries was in jeopardy without financial guarantees from the government. “I think we would be in [...]
Tories push for school smartphone ban to be added to education bill January 25, 2025 The Tories will push for a ban on smartphones in schools to be included in the Government’s education Bill. The Conservatives are tabling an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to end the use of mobile phones and other devices during school days by pupils. It is understood that the Labour government has [...]
THG trading on target after Ingenuity split January 23, 2025 THG, the company behind fitness supplement brand Myprotein, has reported its first trading update after the group split in two earlier this year. The company told the market this morning that adjusted earnings before interest, tax, deprecation and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2024 are expected to align with consensus expectations. At the beginning of January, THG [...]
Priti Patel: Labour should focus on negotiating with Trump instead of ‘disparaging comments’ January 19, 2025 Labour should focus on starting negotiations with Donald Trump, rather than making “disrespectful and disparaging comments”, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has said. She told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: “I think we have to respect the fact that he has a very significant mandate. The American people voted clearly, categorically, [...]
Ministers to announce plans to claim back money from benefit fraudsters January 19, 2025 Ministers are set to unveil plans for new laws which mean they will be able to reclaim money from bank accounts in instances of benefit fraud. The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that new planned powers will mean that money can be reclaimed from people who have committed fraud and are not on [...]
Ministers set to unveil plans for digital driving licences January 18, 2025 Ministers are set to unveil plans for digital driving licences next week, according to reports. The Times reported on Saturday that the licences will be available through a new government app, potentially by the end of this year. Officials have emphasised that a digital licence would not be mandatory. The digital wallet that will contain [...]
