By: Mauricio Alencar

Politics and Economics Reporter Maurício Alencar is City AM’s Politics and Economics Reporter. He covers the state's relationship with the City of London and UK business, jumping between Westminster and the Square Mile. He picks up all stories on UK economics data ranging from inflation to immigration, as well as the Bank of England, the Treasury, business surveys, and all stories important or interesting to the decision-makers. He used to cover sports, foreign news and home news at various publications – plus investigations, which he plans to continue to pursue.

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Bank of England raises alarm on unemployment as interest rates unchanged

February 5, 2026

The Bank of England has held interest rates but policymakers warned that the spiralling unemployment rate and weak growth was weighing down on price growth. In its decision on Thursday, the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-4 to leave interest rates at 3.75 per cent. But economists warned that unemployment could jump higher over the [...]
Bank of England Live: Interest rates held in narrow 5-4 call

February 5, 2026

Good morning and welcome to the City AM liveblog. The Bank of England’s monetary committee has decided to hold rates in its first meet of the year. Markets – and City AM‘s own Shadow MPC – had placed their bets on a hold as the Bank continues its gradual chop to the base rate. In [...]
Starmer’s authority in doubt as Labour MPs vent fury over Mandelson

February 5, 2026

Sir Keir Starmer was under mounting pressure last night after he admitted he had been warned about Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein prior to appointing him as ambassador to Washington. Starmer’s attempts to handle the release of files relating to Mandelson’s vetting process were then thwarted by furious Labour backbenchers demanding independent scrutiny of [...]
Nuclear deterrent strategy ‘no longer fit for purpose’

February 5, 2026

The UK’s nuclear deterrent strategy is outdated and a lack of expertise has left the country with an “awful lot of ground to make up”, a report backed by the former head of the civil service has warned. Lord Simon Case, who was cabinet secretary until shortly after Labour returned to government, has joined academics [...]
Starmer admits he knew of Mandelson’s enduring links with Epstein – but appointed him ambassador anyway

February 4, 2026

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that he knew Peter Mandelson continued a relationship with Jefrrey Epstein after his first conviction before appointing the Labour grandee as UK ambassador to the US. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer said he was aware that Mandelson maintained relations with Epstein after he pleaded guilty for soliciting prostitution of minors [...]
Bank of England to avoid signalling faster interest rate cuts

February 4, 2026

The Bank of England will not signal a faster pace of interest rate cuts over the coming months to combat jobs market woes across the UK economy, with some economists fearing it could send markets mixed messages on monetary policy. Markets expect interest rates to be held at 3.75 per cent on Thursday due to [...]
Voters think defections help Reform UK – and harm the Tories

February 4, 2026

Voters believe that political defections made by the likes of Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman will help Reform UK in elections – and damage the Conservatives. The latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll of UK voters has found that 44 per cent think the recent defections will increase Reform’s chances at the next general election, compared [...]
Cost of hiring graduates shot up after Reeves’ tax raids

February 4, 2026

The cost of hiring graduates and other young Brits in entry-level roles increased by seven per cent in real terms after Chancellor Rachel Reeves hiked employers’ national insurance and raised the national living wage, economists have found. A new set of forecasts and analysis by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) has [...]
Criminal investigation launched into Mandelson’s Downing Street ‘leaks’

February 3, 2026

A criminal investigation has been launched into Peter Mandelson, according to reports. The news comes after the scandal-hit politician decided to step down from the House of Lords following fresh pressure on the Labour veteran after the latest bombshell drop of the Epstein files. The Lord Speaker said on Tuesday afternoon Mandelson would exit the [...]
Bank of England should hold interest rates, City AM Shadow MPC says

February 3, 2026

The Bank of England should hold interest rates to get inflation back down to two per cent, City AM’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee has said, as policymakers find insufficient evidence to lower borrowing costs. The nine economists, who responded independently from their respective organisations, said recent data on price growth should be treated cautiously by [...]

Business bosses told to check details after Companies House glitch

Why World Cup hydration breaks will push traditional ads to the subs bench

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival to drive millions into Scotch sector

By: Mauricio Alencar

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