Thames Water asks watchdog to let it charge even higher bills February 14, 2025 Thames Water is asking the competition regulator to allow it to charge customers even more over the coming years than had previously been granted. The company has already been allowed a 35 per cent rise in consumer bills over the next five years by water regulator Ofwat, after Thames had previously lobbied for a 59 per cent hike. Now, it wants [...]
The FCA must move faster on introducing a consolidated tape February 14, 2025 A consolidated tape, bringing together all available data on securities, will make markets more competitive and transparent. The FCA should bring it forward now, says Giovanni Cespa Transparency in market data is universally seen “as a good thing”. However, moves to develop and implement a tool that will address a glaring lacuna in market data [...]
After Allbright, is there a future for women-only members clubs? February 14, 2025 Allbright is just the latest women's members club forced to shut up shop in London, which begs the question: do women even still want them?
Barclays and Natwest to set tone for Big Four banks in year ahead February 12, 2025 As Britain’s Big Four banks prepare to post annual results, analysts expect “strong” performances, but warned of long-term challenges. Barclays and Natwest will lead the first round of results this week, with the pair reporting on Thursday and Friday respectively. This will be followed by HSBC on February 19 and Lloyds on February 20. The [...]
Bitpanda set to shake up UK crypto market after FCA approval February 12, 2025 European crypto platform Bitpanda is set to expand operations across the UK following approval from the City regulator. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has permitted Bitpanda to bring its suite of 500 cryptocurrencies to the UK market. Bitpanda’s entry adds to the increasing pressures across traditional banks as they face competition from the modern abilities [...]
People love suing solicitors – no wonder PI insurance is so expensive February 12, 2025 Solicitors have been named on the majority of professional indemnity claims. While insurance is legally needed, they don't come cheap
City chief to warn UK has become ‘allergic to risk’ February 12, 2025 The UK has become “allergic to risk”, the antidote to which “can’t come soon enough”, the City of London’s policy chair will warn in a speech today. Speaking at an annual jamboree on City policy, Chris Hayward will call for a cultural overhaul of how politicians and regulators perceive risk, and propose a slew of [...]
Ousted CMA chair Bokkerink defends tenure February 8, 2025 Marcus Bokkerink, the sacked chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has given a staunch defence of his tenure at the regulator. Bokkerink was ousted by the government last month in what lawyers described as the “most overtly political” regulatory intervention of recent years. The move, which saw Bokkerink replaced by former Amazon exec [...]
The UK is at a crypto crossroads February 8, 2025 With both the US and EU poised to introduce regulatory regimes for crypto, the UK must urgently establish itself as a hub for innovation, says John Glen During my years in the Treasury, I saw firsthand the transformative power of technology in shaping our economy, and I also witnessed the state building barriers to emerging [...]
CMA and ASA probe Chelsea-linked Vivid Seats over ticket touting February 7, 2025 Consumer group FanFair Alliance has reported Vivid Seats, a company part-owned by Chelsea chair Todd Boehly, to watchdogs for alleged illegal ticket touting. Chelsea fans have described the involvement of Boehly, the highest-profile member of the club’s US ownership group, as a “breach of trust” after it emerged this week. Vivid Seats offers tickets to [...]