National Grid to sell US renewables business to Brookfield February 24, 2025 National Grid has agreed to sell its US renewables business to Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management in a deal worth £1.4bn. The UK’s energy operator said the transaction would be an “important step” in long-running plans to slim down the business. National Grid sold both its Electricty System Operator (ESO) and its holdings in National Gas [...]
Massive civil service office complex approved for Manchester February 24, 2025 A huge new tech-focused Government office complex in Manchester has been given planning permission. The 5.5 acre project, which could support as many as 7,000 civil service jobs in the city, will bring together a range of government departments with a focus on technology. “The new digital campus plays to Manchester’s strengths. We have fostered [...]
Ben Whitmore: Jupiter’s former star stockpicker launches inaugural fund February 24, 2025 Star fund manager Ben Whitmore has launched his inaugural fund within his new boutique asset manager. Last year, Whitmore made a shock exit from Jupiter Asset Management, where he handled around a fifth of the firm’s assets. News of his exit sent Jupiter’s shares down nearly 15 per cent in a single day, and the fund house [...]
B&M lowers profit guidance and announces CEO change February 24, 2025 Shares in B&M have fallen after the discount chain reduced its profit guidance for the year as it fails to gain momentum in an ever-more-competitive market. Its share price fell nearly five per cent in early trades. The bargain retailer said it expected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be in the [...]
Just Eat shares rise 50 per cent on £3.3bn Prosus deal February 24, 2025 Global tech firm Prosus has made an offer to acquire Just Eat Takeaway.com for £3.3bn. The Amsterdam-based firm said it intends to launch the offer “as soon as practically possible”, which the company said was likely to be in the second quarter. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year. [...]
Jonathan Reynolds relaunches trade deal talks with India February 24, 2025 The UK has relaunched talks on a free trade deal with India, with Jonathan Reynolds in New Delhi to resume negotiations. The business and trade secretary begins refreshed discussions with his Indian counterpart commerce minister Piyush Goyal in the South Asian capital today (Monday, February 24), marking a new phase of negotiations between the world’s [...]
Defence spending: 2.5 per cent of GDP is ‘ambitious,’ minister says February 23, 2025 Raising UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income is “ambitious”, a cabinet minister has insisted as the government faces pressure to increase investment. It comes amid uncertainty over the future of the war in Ukraine, as the US began negotiations with Russia, excluding Kyiv from talks. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson sought to [...]
Payments regulator reportedly could be scrapped as No10 slashes red tape February 23, 2025 The UK’s payments regulator could be scrapped and folded into another regulator as part of efforts by No10 to slash red tape, according to Sky News. Ministers are mulling whether to abolish the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) and amalgamate it into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the broadcaster has reported. A decision could come within [...]
UK to unveil new Russia sanctions to mark three years of Ukraine war February 23, 2025 The UK will unveil new sanctions to “turn the screws” on Russia as it marks three years since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. David Lammy said he would announce the sanctions, which he called the largest package of measures since the early days of the conflict, on Monday to coincide with the anniversary. The foreign secretary [...]
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 [...]
