Healey’s startup adviser quits ahead of Budget over ‘sideshow’ treatment of entrepreneurs October 25, 2026 The Treasury’s entrepreneurship adviser is stepping down after accusing ministers of treating Britain’s fastest-growing companies as a “sideshow” while directing taxpayer money towards traditional industries. Alex Depledge, appointed by former chancellor Rachel Reeves in June 2025, will leave the role on Thursday, a day after John Healey delivers his first Budget. “Keeping scale-ups on the [...]
Burnham sparks Brexit row over return to EU free movement October 25, 2026 Andy Burnham has been accused of “betraying Brexit Britain” and threatening to hand control of the country’s borders back to Brussels after suggesting the UK could restore freedom of movement with the European Union. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the remarks a betrayal of voters, while the Conservatives vowed to oppose any attempt to [...]
Healey vows AI will not ‘leave workers behind’ in £600m Budget package October 24, 2026 John Healey has vowed not to let AI “leave workers behind” as he unveiled more than £600m in investment ahead of next week’s Budget, amid mounting concerns over AI-driven job losses. The Treasury will commit £10m a year to studying the impact of AI on employment, alongside hundreds of millions of pounds for cyber security, [...]
AI minister hints at Budget measures as UK weighs tougher tech rules October 23, 2026 AI minister Kanishka Narayan has hinted at new measures in next week’s Budget, as the government considers tougher regulation of AI alongside plans to reduce Britain’s dependence on foreign technology. Narayan said ministers must go beyond regulating AI and develop domestic technology to give Britain greater influence over how it is used. Speaking on BBC’s [...]
Doubts over £458m gambling tax plan emerge days before Budget October 23, 2026 A week before the Budget, questions have emerged about the evidence behind a proposed £458m gambling tax rise, after internal comments revealed doubts among the campaigners that were pushing for the increase. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) told City AM that the comments, which appeared in a draft report by the Social Market Foundation [...]
Tesla-SpaceX merger could fuel AI spending spree across Musk’s $3.5 trillion empire October 23, 2026 Elon Musk’s proposed $3.5 trillion (£2.6 trillion) merger of Tesla and SpaceX could unlock a wave of AI investment, giving the billionaire greater access to cash and borrowing power as he races to expand his tech empire. Analysts said combining the two businesses could help Musk fund his increasingly expensive AI ambitions, bringing together Tesla’s [...]
Microsoft boss says AI will reshape banking jobs as UK lenders cut costs October 22, 2026 Artificial intelligence will change the jobs available in Britain’s banking sector, but could also create new opportunities for workers with the right skills, a senior Microsoft executive has told City AM. Bill Borden, Microsoft’s global head of financial services, told City AM that AI would replace much of the routine work traditionally carried out by [...]
Relx defies AI disruption fears as growth holds firm October 22, 2026 FTSE 100 data giant Rex has reported a jump in sales growth as demand for its AI-powered products continues to rise, defying fears that the technology could threaten its business. The London-listed group, which owns legal research platform Lexisnexis, said on Thursday that underlying revenue rose seven per cent in the first nine months of [...]
London launches £70m fund to back startups struggling to raise investment October 22, 2026 A new £70m fund backed by the Mayor of London and the British Business Bank has launched to help growing businesses struggling to secure finance from traditional lenders. The Future London Growth Fund, managed by investment firm FSE Group, will offer loans of between £1m and £3m to companies across London’s 32 boroughs and the [...]
Microsoft boss warns of AI trust crisis as UK workers lag behind bosses October 22, 2026 Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has warned that increasingly powerful AI systems are becoming less trustworthy, as new research exposes a widening confidence gap between UK bosses and their employees. Speaking at Microsoft’s Frontier Tour in London on Wednesday, Nadella urged businesses to embrace AI while retaining human oversight, warning that the technology’s growing capabilities [...]
