Healey corrects Treasury colleague as he confirms employers are ‘working people’ Politics John Healey has distanced himself from remarks made by his colleague, the Treasury minister Emma Reynolds, as he confirmed employers did count as working people. Over the weekend, Reynolds told broadcasters that she did not believe employers counted as “working people” under the Labour manifesto’s definition as “they are companies”. She added that there was [...]
What the Scotch whisky industry wants from government Whisky There was a mixture of dismay, exasperation and righteous indignation in the Scotch whisky industry when, in his first Budget as chancellor last Wednesday, John Healey ignored longstanding pleas for a fairer approach to excise duty on spirits. The Scotch Whisky Association’s CEO Mark Kent, said afterwards: “Another increase – the fourth in as many [...]
The UK’s future should be inside the EU, says Rachel Reeves Politics Rachel Reeves has argued that the UK should return to the European Union, as Brexit has made the country “poorer, weaker and less secure”. In her first major intervention since leaving the Treasury, Reeves has thrown her weight behind the prime minister’s decision to reopen the conversation surrounding the UK’s relationship with Europe. “There is [...]
Farage: ‘Loathsome’ banks should not be hit with new tax October 26, 2026 Nigel Farage has said that banks should not be hit with new taxes at this week’s Budget in a partial U-turn on his previous position. Earlier this year, the Reform UK leader vowed to scrap interest payments lenders receive on deposits at the Bank of England, a move that would be widely regarded as a [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 up on defence boost; oil falls back as Trump weighs Iran deal October 26, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 live blog. The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a major rally on the back of booming defence stocks ahead of an expected investment from the government at the forthcoming Budget. This is also coming alongside a modest relax in oil prices on new diplomatic hopes in the Middle [...]
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 [...]
Retail sales fall faster than expected ahead of Budget October 23, 2026 Retail sales fell at a faster pace than expected in September, new figures have shown, as consumer confidence suffered a major drop ahead of the Budget. Total sales at retailers fell 0.4 per cent in September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a bigger drop than the 0.1 per cent forecast by City [...]
Getting closer to the EU is a sop to Burnham’s socialist backbenchers October 23, 2026 Andy Burnham wants to undo Brexit because he’s given on the supply side reforms Britain needs for growth, says Joseph Dinnage October is always grim. The temperature drops, the rain begins and the darkness sets in. This month is poised to be even drearier than usual. In a week’s time, we’ll have John Healey’s first Budget. Healey [...]
What does the public really think about rejoining the EU? October 22, 2026 It’s pure delusion to conclude that rejoining the European Union would cure our financial woes and the public knows it, says Dr Michael Turner Andy Burnham wants to reopen Pandora’s box. After solemnly promising before the Makerfield by-election that Brexit was settled, the Prime Minister now concludes that all options are on the table as [...]
India can help Britain get ahead on AI October 20, 2026 Brexit, whatever its faults, allows us to think big, and India makes a natural partner for Britain's AI goals, writes Brandon Lewis.