HSBC set to unveil bigger profits as cost-cutting overhaul in focus February 16, 2025 HSBC is set to unveil bigger profits as investors prepare for an update on the bank’s cost-cutting overhaul, while earnings for Lloyds will be in focus amid a long-running motor finance probe. Rivals Barclays and NatWest set the tone for the banking sector when they reported stronger earnings this week, despite UK interest rates starting [...]
Government announces multibillion-pound plans to boost UK steel industry February 16, 2025 The government has announced multibillion-pound plans to boost the UK steel industry and help secure its future. A consultation was launched aimed at looking at long-term issues facing the sector such as high electricity costs, unfair trading practices, and scrap metal recycling. In the face of US President Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs on products [...]
Zelensky says time has come for creation of ‘armed forces of Europe’ February 15, 2025 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says the time has come for the creation of an “armed forces of Europe”, and says his country’s fight against Russia has proved that a foundation for it already exists. The Ukrainian leader said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that “American might say no to Europe on issues that threaten [...]
Starmer warned to boost defence spending or enter ‘bin of history’ February 15, 2025 Keir Starmer has been warned by a former head of the army that he faces being consigned to the dustbin of history unless the government significantly hikes defence spending. Ex-chief of the general staff Lord Dannatt said spending should rise to a 3.5 per cent share of the economy. The UK currently spends around 2.3 [...]
Thames Water asks watchdog to let it charge even higher bills February 14, 2025 Thames Water is asking the competition regulator to allow it to charge customers even more over the coming years than had previously been granted. The company has already been allowed a 35 per cent rise in consumer bills over the next five years by water regulator Ofwat, after Thames had previously lobbied for a 59 per cent hike. Now, it wants [...]
Honda and Nissan merger talks collapse February 13, 2025 Japanese carmakers Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi have said they are dropping their talks to integrate their businesses. They agreed to end their consideration of how to build a structure for the three brands to collaborate, their joint statement said. Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Corp announced in December they would hold talks to set up a [...]
Premier League clubs may vote on new financial rules despite PFA threat February 12, 2025 Premier League clubs will have the option to vote through new financial rules on Thursday despite the threat of legal action from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) if they do so. The 20 top-flight teams will gather for a meeting in central London to discuss, and potentially vote on, a new system to replace the [...]
Call for UK regions to bid to become AI Growth Zones February 10, 2025 Regions across the UK have been encouraged to put themselves forward to become new economic centres for AI development, as the Government opened bidding for new AI Growth Zones. Growth Zones were announced as part of the Government’s AI Action Plan last month, designed to be new centres of development for AI technology and infrastructure. [...]
Thousands of illegal workers arrested in government border security crackdown February 10, 2025 Thousands of migrants working illegally in nail bars, car washes and restaurants have been arrested as part of the government’s efforts to tighten UK border security. Some 3,930 arrests have been made across 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers since July 5 when labour took power to January 31, in what is understood to be [...]
Angela Rayner denies being ‘aggressive’ in meeting with Grenfell survivors February 9, 2025 Angela Rayner has denied being “aggressive” during a meeting of the Grenfell bereaved and survivors when informing them about the decision to dismantle the tower. The deputy prime minister said it is “not a possibility” for Grenfell tower to remain in its current state. The tower will be brought down to ground level, with some parts returned where possible [...]
