Starmer to set date to increase defence spending during Trump visit – report February 23, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer is expected to confirm a timeline to raise defence spending and give Donald Trump an invitation for a state visit when he visits Washington next week, per a report. The Prime Minister will have to walk a tricky line when he meets President Trump, balancing the UK’s support for Ukraine with the [...]
Almost 300 pubs closed last year ahead of cost rises February 17, 2025 The British Beer and Pub Association warned that urgent Government action is needed to avoid more “completely avoidable” closures.
John Major warns of ‘dangerous world’ if US does not stand behind allies February 16, 2025 A world in which the United States does not support its allies will be “rather more dangerous”, former prime minister Sir John Major warned.
Trump’s steel tariffs would damage UK and US, says Business Secretary February 16, 2025 The Government has promised a package of up to £2.5bn to boost the UK steel industry and help secure its future.
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 [...]
