Purton and Shum hope to print the Christmas Cash at Sha Tin December 24, 2025 RACING in Hong Kong has come thick and fast over the Christmas and New Year period – five meetings in the past fortnight – and resumes again at Sha Tin on Saturday with a 10-race programme. With a mixed bag of action, including three on the all-weather surface and seven on turf, racing enthusiasts will [...]
Keir Starmer urges public to ‘reach out’ as he acknowledges cost-of-living struggle December 24, 2025 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged that many are “still struggling with the cost of living” in a Christmas message posted on Wednesday morning. He said “we should each do our bit” as he urged people to “call around to a neighbour, check in on a friend or a relative who you haven’t heard from [...]
Jump in winter sun breaks as wealthy Brits prioritise wellness December 23, 2025 Wealthy Brits are flocking to sunny hotspots abroad over the Christmas season with wellness among the top priorities for holidaymakers, fresh data has found. More than one in three (34 per cent) Britons say they plan to travel abroad this winter for a warmer escape, according to survey data compiled by Four Seasons, with almost [...]
Serie A overseas game cancellation is early Christmas present, say football fans December 23, 2025 Football fans’ groups across the world have celebrated the cancellation of plans to export a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como overseas just weeks before the fixture. Milan and Como had been due to fly halfway around the world to play in Perth, Australia, on 8 February, in what would have been a [...]
Who made the naughty list in the wine world in 2025? December 23, 2025 This was another fascinating year in the world of wine, with some great initiatives and events celebrating the people who make this vital and brilliant industry tick. But there were also some things on my naughty list… read on to find out who made the cut. Nice List – Aldi Aldi’s wine department is fantastic, [...]
Decluttering after Christmas? Tax expert clarifies rules for selling unwanted gifts on eBay and Vinted December 23, 2025 Not everyone is thrilled with their Christmas haul, after all, there are only so many novelty socks, scented candles, and mystery kitchen gadgets one household can handle before space starts to run out. Usually, as a result, apps like Vinted see a surge in activity around Christmas, with sellers hoping to offload unwanted gifts. [...]
FICO UK Credit Card Market Report: October 2025 December 23, 2025 Pre-Christmas spending and average active balances fall, however average balances for missed accounts remain high reflecting continued financial pressure
Why are people pooping on the pavements of the Square Mile? December 23, 2025 Why is the City of London running an advertising campaign reminding people not to despoil the streets at Christmas? Asks James Ford The City of London has many ancient and arcane traditions. The City Corporation, the Square Mile’s local council, can trace its roots back to Anglo-Saxon times. Not only is the Corporation led by [...]
All I want for Christmas is economic growth December 23, 2025 Keir Starmer has quietly abandoned his “five missions”, now he should dispense with all policies that are standing in the way of growth, starting with the Employment Rights Bill, says Joe Hill As we ring out 2025 and ring in 2026, it’s good to reflect on what we’re leaving behind as well as looking to [...]
The Punter Podcast Episode 63: Christmas Racing Special December 22, 2025 Tom Marriott is joined by Bill Esdaile for his best bets of the busy Christmas racing schedule, highlighted by the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. Plus, Wally Pyrah dials in to preview the racing at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Tuesday 23 December. Merry Christmas! The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City [...]