Reform is gathering in Birmingham this week – with plenty to celebrate September 2, 2025 Amidst widespread economic pessimism and the rising salience of immigration, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government faces a collapse in public support as polls show Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surging to a commanding lead, writes Matthew Lesh Last month, Keir Starmer’s family summer escape to Scotland was abruptly cut short by an urgent dash across [...]
After a year as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has flunked her growth mission September 2, 2025 Rachel Reeves may not get an official exam transcript, but the numbers categorically show she's flunked her growth mission.
Muller recovers from huge loss to make profit return September 2, 2025 The UK and Ireland arm of dairy giant Muller has returned to profit after recovering from a huge loss in 2023, it has been confirmed. The Shropshire-headquartered division of the German group has posted a pre-tax profit of £34.3m for 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House show. That comes after Muller fell to a pre-tax [...]
Keir Starmer’s approval rating sinks to record low September 2, 2025 Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have hit a record low, a City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll has shown, as pressure mounts on the government ahead of the Budget. Research by City AM and the advisory firm Freshwater Strategy has highlighted the growing discontent among voters over the UK government’s poor performance after a year in office. Starmer’s [...]
Starmer seeks to relaunch as approval rating hits fresh low September 2, 2025 Keir Starmer has launched a dramatic shakeup of his Downing Street team as he hails the “second phase” of his government amid dire poll ratings and a sluggish economy. The Prime Minister has beefed up Number Ten’s economic muscle, bringing in his Chancellor’s top minister, Darren Jones, to fill a newly created position alongside a [...]
Why have house prices run out of steam this summer? September 1, 2025 The average price of a UK home dipped in August for the fourth time in six months, in a sign that the property market is under real pressure. The average price of a house in the UK fell to £271,079, down 0.1 per cent from the month before – a surprise to market watchers, who [...]
Stamp duty overhaul could save prime London buyers £500k September 1, 2025 Buyers of prime London mansions could see huge benefits from a move to an annual property tax, according to new data. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering replacing stamp duty with a new national property tax on homes, as well as replacing council tax with an annual property tax. Stamp duty, which is paid in bands tied [...]
A Treasury reshuffle on the eve of a Budget is a bad sign for Reeves September 1, 2025 Handing responsibility for the economy to a man who was director of policy for Ed Miliband is a sign of desperation from Rachel Reeves, says Eliot Wilson Every time I see a new announcement from Rachel Reeves at the Treasury now, it puts me in mind of the poet Stevie Smith: “I was much further [...]
House sales rise in summer, but will property tax rumours kill confidence? August 29, 2025 The UK housing market has proved remarkably resilient this year despite significant pressures, with sales on track to match 2022 highs. The number of UK residential transactions in July was 95,580, four per cent higher than July 2024 and one per cent higher than June 2025, according to the latest data from HMRC. The market [...]
Thousands face fines after HMRC misses CGT update August 29, 2025 Tax experts have warned that “tens of thousands” of people could fall foul of penalties this year after tech issues left HMRC’s online filing system unable to properly reflect the recent changes to capital gains tax as implemented in Rachel Reeves’ first budget last year. The chancellor’s Autumn Budget increased CGT rates on disposals of [...]